Published October 30, 2026 | Written by the Mission Realty Team.
A Richmond judge has signaled that five Manchester properties, most of them on Hull Street, can go to a foreclosure auction. Richmond BizSense reporter Mike Platania reported on October 29, 2026 that Circuit Judge Claire Cardwell said at a hearing this week that she would approve a request by Virginia Credit Union (VACU) to foreclose on and auction the properties. A written ruling was expected within days, so the order had not been issued when the story ran.
Here is what BizSense reported, what the timeline looks like, and what it means if you live in or are shopping for a home in Manchester.
The five properties headed to auction
Two are mixed-use buildings on Hull Street, at 1200-1206 and 1209-1213 Hull St. The 1200 block holds three restaurant spaces that were most recently home to Dogtown Brewing Co., Butterbean Market & Cafe and Hot Diggity Donuts. The other three properties are a single-family home at 2010 Maury St. and a quarter-acre vacant lot at 1124 Bainbridge St. BizSense did not report square footage for the buildings.
The former Siegel’s Super Market at 2005 Hull St. is not part of this case. According to the article, federal prosecutors froze that property early in the owner’s criminal case.
The numbers and the calendar
BizSense reports that the City of Richmond assesses the five properties at a combined $7.03 million. VACU’s 2024 lawsuit claimed the borrower owed $6.2 million. VACU has controlled the properties since 2024, when a court placed them in receivership. Sale proceeds go to VACU and the court-appointed receiver, and any surplus would be held in escrow until the court says otherwise.
The article gives this schedule: an auction in early December 2026 run by Tranzon, court approval of the winning contracts in January 2027, and finalized sales in February 2027. One South Commercial handled the listings. The borrower side is a Richmond businessman, Michael Hild, and a company tied to his family that bought and redeveloped the buildings in the mid-2010s; the loans fell into default, and BizSense recounts that background in full.
Tenants already lined up
The article says the former Dogtown space is set to become Bolo’s Eatery, a brewpub, the former Butterbean space is planned as The Sassy Biscuit, a brunch spot, and the former Hot Diggity Donuts space as Scharolina’s Custom Cakes & Confections, a bakery. Both commercial and residential leases would carry over to whoever buys the buildings.
What it means for Manchester housing
Court documents cited by BizSense say occupancy of the apartments above the Hull Street storefronts has risen substantially. The article does not give a unit count, and neither it nor this post says who the winning bidders might be, so treat any talk of what comes next as unconfirmed until the sales close.
The Virginia Department of Historic Resources lists the Manchester Residential and Commercial Historic District, added to the Virginia Landmarks Register in 2001 and the National Register in 2002. DHR counted 251 buildings at listing, 36 of them non-contributing, and describes Hull Street as lined with commercial buildings from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with two-story detached dwellings on Bainbridge, Porter and Perry streets. The state record does not say which of the five auction properties, if any, sit inside the district, so check an address before assuming that design-review rules apply. The City’s property search shows ownership and assessment for any parcel.
If you are tracking the area, two of our earlier posts cover related ground: how the Mayo Bridge lane changes affect Manchester access, and how the City plans to resume tax-delinquent and blighted property auctions. Buyers weighing the south side can also read our pages on Forest Hill and the wider city of Richmond.
Set up a saved search for the neighborhood and we will send new listings as they appear. Our buyer team can also walk you through checking nearby cases and records before you offer.
What to watch next
Look for the written ruling, the December auction results and the January court hearing on the winning contracts. If you are financing a purchase in a neighborhood that is changing hands, a lender can explain how appraisals work for mixed-use or historic properties; start with our featured lenders.
Frequently asked questions
What did the judge decide about the Manchester properties?
According to Richmond BizSense, Circuit Judge Claire Cardwell said she would approve Virginia Credit Union’s request to foreclose on and auction five Manchester properties. A written ruling was expected within days.
Which properties are included?
Two mixed-use buildings at 1200-1206 and 1209-1213 Hull St., a single-family home at 2010 Maury St., and a quarter-acre vacant lot at 1124 Bainbridge St.
When is the auction?
BizSense reports the auction is planned for early December 2026, run by Tranzon, with court approval of winning contracts in January 2027 and sales finalized in February 2027.
How much are the properties worth?
BizSense reports the City of Richmond assesses the five properties at a combined $7.03 million. Virginia Credit Union’s 2024 lawsuit claimed the borrower owed $6.2 million. An assessment is not a sale price.
Will existing leases continue after a sale?
The article says both commercial and residential leases would carry over to a buyer.
Is the former Siegel’s Super Market at 2005 Hull St. part of the auction?
No. BizSense reports that property is excluded because federal prosecutors froze it early in the owner’s criminal case.
Who is planning to open in the Hull Street spaces?
BizSense names Bolo’s Eatery, a brewpub, The Sassy Biscuit, a brunch spot, and Scharolina’s Custom Cakes & Confections, a bakery, for the three restaurant spaces.
