Housing and Community Development

This message has been cross posted to the following Discussion Forums: Residential Knowledge Community and Committee on Design .
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Zoning Codes typically define "legally required windows" and ventilation for occupied spaces. In the cities in which I have practiced living units without windows would not be possible.  "Borrowed light" is possible, for example, for an interior bedroom in a loft type unit. In Richmond either windows are not mandated by local codes or a variance has been obtained. In any case, has anyone rented or purchased these apartments?

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Michael Ytterberg AIA
Principal
BLT Architects
Philadelphia PA
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David Johannas AIA
Johannas Design Group
Richmond VA
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It is amazing that the rental market in the inner city in Richmond is as strong as it is.  Build it and they will come could be the motto; however, it is a relatively small market and the numbers of units being built are not that large compared to bigger cities.  200 to 400 units is considered a larger project in the central city area.

So in response to the question below, all units are being rented in the more popular neighborhoods which have vacancy rates in the 5% range.