Listings update live from CVRMLS · Profile last reviewed June 2026
The Decatur is the smallest condo regime on Richmond's catalog and one of the most architecturally consequential — a four-unit conversion (three residential, one commercial) on Manchester's Plant Zero campus, developed by Bill Chapman of Fountainhead Development.
Insider’s view — any red flags?
"The Decatur is a unicorn ... 3 huge warehouses all with totally different designs and vibes. Each of the original owners bought their space as a blank slate and completed the interior in their own way. And FYI, the elevator entry only applies to two of the units."
Red flags: When the Decatur was developed, the views from the roof deck were completely unobstructed. In the new Manchester, much of the view shed has been obstructed by larger apartment properties. And while this is not a red flag per se, but each unit has a totally different vibe, so using comps from within the building doesn't really tell you much. Very cool building, though.
History
Chapman, one of the central figures in Richmond's historic-neighborhood redevelopment movement, purchased a 20,000-square-foot section of the Plant Zero warehouse — originally part of MeadWestvaco's Manchester manufacturing footprint. He convinced three other buyers to join him in building out the space as four unique condominiums plus a commercial bay. The project delivered in 2008 and earned multiple design awards.
Design & units
Every unit at The Decatur is different. Buyers purchased their space in raw form and customized each layout to their preferences — there are no production-line floor plans here. Two of the units have private entry-elevator access. All have private rooftop decks. The result reads more like an architectural commission than a developer project.
Neighborhood
39 East 3rd Street sits inside the Plant Zero cultural campus in Old Manchester, a short walk from the James River, the Mayo Bridge into downtown, and the cluster of galleries and studios that share the Plant Zero complex. The neighborhood has continued to densify with adaptive-reuse projects in every direction.
What sets it apart
The Decatur opened MeadWestvaco's exit from Manchester to the residential development community. Plant Zero was the entry point for what became the wholesale transformation of Manchester from manufacturing district to loft neighborhood. With only three residential units, there is no comparable-sales history — each unit trades on its own merits, and buyers should expect a longer underwriting timeline to reflect the bespoke geometry.
The builders
Developer: Fountainhead Development | Bill Chapman Enterprises
See it in context
Open full 3D view in Google Maps → · Photorealistic 3D Tiles via Google Maps Platform · coords from MLS-median (11 listings).
Available now
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Frequently asked
Where exactly is The Decatur?
39 E 3rd, 23224. In the Manchester neighborhood.
How many units are in The Decatur?
The Decatur is a 3-unit condominium regime in Manchester.
Is The Decatur a condo conversion or new construction?
The Decatur is a historic conversion — an older building adapted into condominiums.
Who developed The Decatur?
The Decatur was developed by Fountainhead Development | Bill Chapman Enterprises.
