THE FREE LANCE-STAR

Uptown has a new name, a new look and a new focus.

Rechristened Central Park Town Center, the once flashy Art Deco buildings are being redone in buttoned-down beiges, brick and stone. Striped awnings will provide the finishing touch in May.

"We decided to change the name because it's getting a whole new look," said Sheryl Simeck, spokeswoman for The Rappaport Cos. "We wanted the name to be in keeping with the whole atmosphere."

The Town Center, which fronts Central Park Boulevard, is known for its ice park and such restaurants as the former Uncle's Sam's American Grill and Brewing Co. But Rappaport, a part owner of the Fredericksburg property, is now trying to attract more companies that need office space, which is in short supply in the city.

The firm recently hired commercial real-estate company GVA Advantis to market about 35,000 square feet of office space, some of which will be above the old Uncle Sam's.

"We've gotten some good response," said Brian Cunningham, associate director of GVA Advantis' Fredericksburg office. "Now that the renovations are being done, it's only going to help spur even more interest."

He said he has gotten calls from medical groups, IT companies and other businesses. For many, the draw includes the Town Center offices' close proximity to restaurants and retailers.

"If I have to run over to Office Depot, it's only 30 seconds to get there or to go to Target or Wal-Mart after work," said Cunningham, whose office is near the old Uncle Sam's.

Additionally, there's plenty of parking for office workers behind the buildings, compared with the limited number of spaces in front that shoppers and diners prefer, he said.

Central Park Town Center has a total of 250,000 square feet of space. Currently, 115,000 square feet is leased for retail and 68,000 square feet for office space. Rappaport's plans call for some retail shops and restaurants to remain on the ground floors of the Town Center's buildings, with offices on the second floors.

"As for the ice park, the current plans are that it will remain an ice park," Simeck said.

Among the things that are changing, however, is the former Uncle Sam's, which is being reconfigured to include retail/office space on the ground floor with office space above. In addition, the two-story atrium that had graced the front of the restaurant is being removed to free up room for an interior road and a row of parking spaces along the front of the building.

The interior road will connect to both the parking lot behind the building and the road that runs in front of the retailers next door. These include Bubbles, Talbots and Tropical Smoothie.

"One of the things we're finding is that businesses as far away as Richmond and Northern Virginia are interested in coming here, which is exciting," said Rappaport's Simeck. "It's due to the two new hospitals that are coming and the location midway between Richmond and Washington. With the [Fredericksburg Expo and Convention Center] and all the tourism drawn to the area because of that, it's the place to be."

Back to News Listing