Stone Brewing Richmond will have to demo future bistro building (1937 Terminal Warehouse)

Greg Koch seemed especially geeked to open up Stone Brewing World Bistro and Gardens in Virginia. The Stone Brewing Co. executive chairman and cofounder released a video last June touring the future restaurant and beer destination located along the James River, which was planned to be housed in the Terminal Warehouse building, built along the riverfront near what’s called the Intermediate Terminal Dock (developed in the 1930s when Richmond aimed to become a port city). Last year, we noted the Stone Bistro Richmond had tentative plans to open in the second half of 2018.

That’s not happening.

Last week, Koch released another video (above), taking viewers on a tour of Richmond’s Terminal Warehouse No. 3 before it gets demolished. Koch had learned just two days before that it had structural and environmental remediation issues so significant that they were not financially viable for repair. From the video:

This may be my last time I’m inside. I’m so bummed about this. Honestly, I’ve fallen in love with this building. These super high bays. I love old buildings.

Koch considers himself a preservationist and had big plans to keep the “beautiful ugliness” of the old warehouse intact for the restaurant and bar, but the 2014 cost estimate and the money the city had reserved for bringing the structure up to code did not jibe. According to the YouTube post:

However, since this time we’ve been working with architects to create a new building that will meet the standards of the Stone Brewing World Bistro and Gardens on this very property. Our commitment to create something truly special has not changed, so stay tuned!

Stone Brewing opened up a good portion of its East Coast operation in Richmond, Va., in 2016, and that included a new brewhouse, retail store, tasting room and its East Coast distribution center — 220,000 square feet in Fulton — east of downtown Richmond. Brewing began in late spring of 2016. Yet, the entire Richmond Stone experience will not be complete until the Stone Brewing World Bistro and Gardens opens. No timetable is set, so we will all have to wait patiently.