De Vere White brothers appear to be planning bar at The Richmond

The Richmond, a new mixed-use project being constructed in the R Street Corridor, is expected to be completed this year, and its first commercial tenant appears to be a well-known local food and beverage operator.

The four-story project at 17th and S streets is being developed by Sutter Capital Group and will feature 47 market-rate apartments and approximately 8,900 square feet of ground-floor commercial space. The project, located across the street from the recently completed Ary Place and just south of Ice Blocks, broke ground in 2022 and is anticipated to be completed within the next few months.

Broker Scott Kingston of Turton Commercial Real Estate, who handles leasing for the commercial spaces at The Richmond, said an approximately 2,500-square-foot space along 17th Street near Rice Alley has been claimed by a bar concept, but he declined to elaborate.

A recent filing with the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control indicates that bar concept is being spearheaded by Irish Hospitality Management Inc. and DVW Brothers LLC, both of which trace back to brothers Henry and Simon de Vere White, owners and operators of the Irish Hospitality Group. The filing stated the business, called Day Tripper, is in the process of having a liquor license transferred from former Downtown Sacramento bar Pre Flite Lounge.

Representatives of Irish Hospitality Group did not respond to requests for comment.

The food and beverage group operates concepts such as Ro Sham Beaux on J Street, The Snug on 15th Street, and The Butterscotch Den on Broadway. The group previously operated de Vere’s Irish Pub restaurant locations in Downtown Sacramento and Davis, both of which closed in 2021.

Kingston said the remainder of the commercial space at The Richmond has not been claimed, though there has been interest shown from other food and beverage operators. He said the spaces are flexible and could range anywhere from 1,500 square feet to as much as 3,600 square feet.

“What we are really trying to do is make this area the heart of Midtown and curate the best possible mix of tenants we can, whether it’s nightlife with a bar, food and beverage, retail, personal services, or fitness,” Kingston said. “It’s about who is the best fit for the building and the neighborhood.”

The Richmond is currently booking tours of its residential units ⏤ a mixture of studios, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments ⏤ and is expected to begin leasing this summer, according to its website.