Richmond moves forward in Shockoe Institute project, selects Team Henry Enterprises to begin construction

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- The City of Richmond has officially selected Team Henry Enterprises to spearhead construction for the area's highly anticipated Shockoe Institute.

The more than 12,000 square-foot educational facility will go up in Richmond's Main Street Station, located in the historic Shockoe Bottom area. While the selection of the general contracting firm represents a preliminary milestone in the project's physical development, Shockoe Institute was officially launched in July 2024.

Shockoe Institute is a national organization headquartered in Richmond and is centered around education -- particularly, exposing the lasting impact racial slavery has had on the shared American experience.

Funded by an $11 million grant from New York City's Mellon Foundation, Shockoe Institute will create a space for everyone to learn and reflect, while also focusing on the importance of action.

The independent non-profit examines the evolution of racial slavery in the Commonwealth, looking specifically at Richmond's role in America's internal trade of enslaved people and its historical consequences.

The center takes a "data-informed" and "evidence-based" examination of America's legacy of enslavement. However, it's not solely about reflecting on the country's grim past. Shockoe Institute looks to help people learn from the past to create a better future -- playing a constructive role in identifying and developing solutions for change.

The selection of the site's general contracting group, Team Henry Enterprises, may appear fitting with the project's goals -- and the name might ring a bell, locally, already.

Despite being based in Newport News, Team Henry Enterprises' founder Devon Henry is no stranger to the historic movement in Richmond. Described by his team as "an expert in historic revitalizations," Henry played a significant role in the historical removal of confederate statues across the Richmond region.

Now, his team plans to continue using history to educate and propel Richmond forward.

“As a Virginia-based construction firm deeply rooted in this community, we are honored to partner with the City of Richmond and the Shockoe Institute on this transformative project," Henry said. "Our team understands the profound significance of this site, and we are committed to executing this project with the utmost care, precision, and respect it deserves."

According to Shockoe Institute's website, the project's site -- located in the heart of the City of Richmond, as well as in the oldest part of the city -- was once an epicenter for the domestic slave trade.

Now, by reclaiming that site, the Shockoe Institute is transforming the future for people across Virginia and even beyond, so they can learn, reflect and act.

"We are thrilled the City of Richmond has selected Team Henry to build the Shockoe Institute," said Institute President and CEO Marland Buckner. “Alongside our world-renowned exhibition design partners Local Projects, Team Henry will bring the kind of high-quality construction capability and expertise critical to ensuring that the Shockoe Institute can meet its mission. The City’s agreement with Team Henry represents a critical step toward our goal of opening the Institute to the public by 2026.”