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1960s
The 1960s was foundational for our firm. From very humble beginnings, key principles of urban design, architecture, and preservation/adaptive reuse were instilled into the firm culture.
left to right: Glavé, Newman, Anderson
1965
James (Jim) M. Glavé & William (Bill) C. Newman III flipped a coin to decide whose name would come first, and Glavé Newman Architects was born on the second floor sunporch of the Ellen Glasgow House in Richmond, Virginia
Ellen Glasgow House
1968
Samuel (Pete) Anderson, a London city planner, joined the firm. Glavé Newman Anderson (GNA) was formed.
The firm’s first big break came when it was hired by the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority to survey neighborhoods for urban renewal projects. The young firm oversaw moving 60 houses out of the path of the controversial Downtown Expressway.
GNA attracted and advanced the careers of dozens of young architects who have gone on to direct their own firms in the City of Richmond and beyond.
Richmond
1970s
During the 1970s, the firm undertook major planning projects for well-known Richmond institutions including Virginia Commonwealth University, Medical College of Virginia,Virginia Union University, Stony Point, the Valentine Museum, Union Presbyterian Seminary, and Broad Street Station.
The firm expanded its role in revitalization, with commissions in North Carolina, including:
- the adaptive reuse of old Wafco Mill into an apartment complex in Greensboro
- a planned residential and commercial project known as Greensborough Court, also in Greensboro
- the renovation of Brookstown Mill in Winston-Salem
- Wall Street in Asheville
Brookstown Mill
1970
GNA received an AIA Virginia Design Award for the Virginia Commonwealth University Master Plan.
1974
1975
The firm received an AIA Virginia Merit Award for Consolidated Bank & Trust, a headquarters building located at First and Marshall Streets. It was the firm’s first signature commercial building.
GNA renovated the Ironfronts, a post-bellum 1869 cast iron front building. This was the first large renovation project of a historic building undertaken in downtown Richmond under the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Historic Properties. The firm received an AIA Virginia Design Award for the project.
1979
An Award of Merit was given by the Winston-Salem Preservation Coalition for the Brookstown Mill Renovation and its contribution to the preservation of the heritage of Winston-Salem and Forsythe County. The firm also received an AIA Virginia Honor Award.
1980s
During this decade, the firm received commissions for larger scaled projects and began major interior renovations and new tenant upfits. Becky Messer and Shelli Brady joined the firm to lead the interior design efforts.
1980
Monumental Church
The firm's renovation of Monumental Church, a Richmond Landmark that is both architecturally and historically significant, won an award from Urban Design Magazine. The church is the sole survivor of a series of domed churches, and is the major surviving work in the Richmond area of architect, Robert Mills.
Jim Glavé received the Presidential Design Award for his work on Maymont’s Japanese Gardens. The award was presented by first lady Nancy Reagan in the Rose Garden Ceremony at the White House.
1984
The firm completed the adaptive reuse of the 1893 Planters Bank Building to house the Virginia Retirement System Headquarters in Richmond. The project received an AIA Virginia Honor Award for its successful integration of a Richardson Romanesque bank structure with a modern office addition and 250-car garage.
1990s
The 1990s saw expanded services in the hospitality market, becoming one of Interior Design magazine’s top 100 Hospitality Giants. Noteworthy projects included:
- a $25 million renovation of the Homestead Resort in Hot Springs, Virginia
- Carolina Inn Renovation at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- various projects at the Pinehurst Resort in Pinehurst, North Carolina
The firm’s presence in the cultural market also grew with commissions such as:
- the Center for Virginia History at the Virginia Historical Society, Richmond, Virginia
- Library of Virginia (with Skidmore Owings & Merrill), Richmond, Virginia
- Morven Carriage Museum, designed to house a private collection of historically significant European and American horse-drawn carriages, Charlottesville, Virginia
- the adaptive reuse of a former church to the William Smith Morton Library at Union Presbyterian Seminary, Richmond, Virginia
- the adaptive reuse of the Home for Needy Confederate Women to the Center for Education and Outreach at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond, Virginia
- the Visitor Center (with Cooper Robertson Architects), Education Center, and Conservatory at Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens, Richmond, Virginia
- Moravian Archives’ Archie K. Davis Center to house a library and archival center for the church and its music foundation, for the Moravian Church in America, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Leadership transitions began with Bill Newman and Pete Anderson leaving the firm. Randy Holmes and David Rau took on positions of leadership, with Holmes directing the firm’s work in the cultural and higher education markets and Rau leading the firm’s hospitality and corporate work.
1990
The Homestead
Randy Holmes joined the firm after having worked for Cooper Robertson Architects.
Randy Holmes
1991
Will Scribner, Becky Messer, Shelli Brady and Bland Wade left GNA and formed SMBW, a well-respected and award-winning Richmond-based firm.
1992
Bill Newman left the firm to establish William Newman Architects.
1995
Pete Anderson was appointed Architect for the University of Virginia.
The firm's name changed to The Glavé Firm.
1996
Jeanne LeFever joined the firm. She was previously with DePasquale Gentilhomme Group.
1997
The Glavé Firm received Virginia Chapter of the American Society of Interior Designer/ International Interior Design Association Design Awards for William Smith Morton Library at Union Presbyterian Seminary, the Morven Carriage Museum, and the Homestead.
1999
The Glavé Firm received the AIA Virginia Award for Design Excellence for the William Smith Morton Library.
The Glavé Firm received the Fitz-Gibbon Architecture Firm Award, the highest honor a Virginia firm can be awarded by AIA Virginia.
William Smith Morton Library
2000s
The new millennium brought significant changes. Firm ownership and leadership transitioned from Jim Glavé to Randy Holmes. Unexpectedly, the firm lost its beloved founder, Jim Glavé.
The firm experienced growth, particularly in the higher education market. A long-standing relationship was developed with Christopher Newport University, and other key projects with the College of William & Mary, Randolph-Macon College, the University of Virginia, and Washington and Lee University positioned the firm as a leader in contextual design for many of Virginia’s campuses.
2000
Jamestown
The Morven Carriage Museum is featured in Architectural Digest.
Jim and Randy
2001
The firm’s name changed to Glavé & Holmes Associates (G&HA).
Glavé & Holmes Associates received an AIA Virginia Honor Award for the Elevator and Stair at the Richmond Civil War Center at Tredegar Iron Works.
Glavé & Holmes collaborated with Quinlan & Francis Terry in England to design College Corner, a collection of buildings located in the historic district of Colonial Williamsburg. The structures not only provided space for retail tenants, they enhanced the vitality of this significant historic gateway.
This project opened the door to significant exposure and led to other projects in the area including the Jamestown Settlement Visitor Center and Exhibition Hall, the Kimball Theatre Renovation, the Prince George Parking Garage, and the Williamsburg Lodge Renovation (with CMMI).
2003
Lori Garrett joined the firm after having previously owned her own firm, Smith Garret Architects, in Charlottesville.
Lori Garrett
2004
Randy Holmes became President and Owner of Glavé & Holmes Associates.
2005
Jim Glavé died on June 5. His funeral was held at the Virginia Historical Society.
Glavé & Holmes began work on a feasibility study to provide Washington and Lee University with a road to renovation of the five buildings comprising the historic Colonnade, the heart of W&L’s campus. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the project achieved State Historic Tax Credits as well as LEED Silver Certification and has garnered regional and state design awards.
2006
Christopher Newport University became a long-time client. Glavé & Holmes provided the master site plan at the heart of the 260-acre campus that drove a complete transformation of this campus. Components of the master plan included the “Great Lawn,” several new academic buildings, various types of new student housing, a university chapel and campanile, a Student Success Center, as well as the expansion of existing buildings and parking.
2007
Lori Garrett became an Owner.
2008
Virginia Chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers/ International Interior Design Association Interior Design Excellence Award for The Presidential Suite at Pinehurst Resort.
Christopher Newport University
2010s
This decade has seen the firm's continued growth in the five market sectors, with staff growing to approximately 60 employees.
2010
Firm’s name changed to Glavé & Holmes Architecture (G&HA).
Firm received an AIA Virginia Award for Excellence for the Newcomb Hall Renovation at Washington and Lee University.
2011
Virginia Chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers/ International Interior Design Association Interior Design Excellence Awards for Lewis Archer McMurran Hall at Christopher Newport University, Paul and Phyllis Galanti Education Center at the Virginia War Memorial, and the Newcomb Hall Renovation at Washington and Lee University.
Glavé & Holmes Architecture was one of nine architectural firms in the country to receive the prestigious Palladio Award for the Carole Weinstein International Center at the University of Richmond.
University of Richmond
2012
The firm won an AIA Virginia Award of Merit for the Robert H. Smith Center at Montalto. Montalto refers to Thomas Jefferson’s “high mountain” that overlooks Monticello. Glavé & Holmes was commissioned by the Thomas Jefferson Foundation to rehabilitate the historic house and create a world-class facility for visiting dignitaries and event space.
Virginia Chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers/ International Interior Design Association Interior Design Excellence Awards for the Robert H. Smith Center at Montalto and the Hillel House at Washington and Lee University.
2013
Jeanne LeFever becomes an Owner.
Jeanne LeFever
Virginia Chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers/ International Interior Design Association Interior Design Excellence Award for the Washington Hall Renovation at Washington and Lee University.
2015
The firm received a John Russell Pope Award from the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art for the Carole Weinstein International Center at the University of Richmond.
The firm celebrated 50 years at the Virginia Historical Society.
left to right: Lori Garrett, Pete Anderson, Randy Holmes, Patricia Glavé, Bill Newman, Will Scribner, Jeanne LeFever
Fifty Years
2016
Glavé & Holmes won its second national Palladio Award for Christopher Newport Hall at Christopher Newport University.
