Richmond, Virginia: Giant Milk Bottles

Easy to "miss" due to lack of paint. You will notice them, and unless you are looking for them, they will just slightly resemble a bottle.

It is interesting to note, as it is mentioned that the derelict building with the giant milk bottles was used as "artist studios" in the mid-'80s, that semi-famous and certainly notorious Richmond thrash metal monster band GWAR got its start here. They were basically a bunch of homeless squatter punks in the building, and a collaboration between a bizarre little band called Death Piggy and some amateur would-be sci fi movie makers evolved into the weird costumed band still actively touring today, well into its 27th year. etailed descriptions for those not easily offended by sordid content can be found at RVAnews.com under lead singer Dave Brockie's story "GWAR, Me, and the Onrushing Grip of Death" in the early to mid- installments (there are now 40 "episodes" written.)

I am very surprised, from what I've read, that the building and its bottles not only still stand but were converted to apartments. If those walls could talk...they wouldn't have to. Dave is doing it for them.

Across the street from the Giant Milk Bottles is Steamer Co. No. 5, Virginia's oldest standing fire and police station. Now it is the hip Gallery5. On first Fridays, check out free live music and art... Sometimes they even have belly dance and fire performers outside across from the Milk Bottles.

I grew up in Richmond, and I've been fascinated by the Richland Dairy milk bottle buildings ever since I first discovered them in the '70s. I hadn't seen them for years, so I decided to drive up there and see if they had indeed been converted to apartments, as a previous tipster stated.

I'm happy to report that although the dairy was completely gutted, the three milk bottles remain. The apartments were completed in early 2001, and the new building has been christened the Richmond Dairy Apartments, and yes, there are apartments in each of the bottles.

Here's a vintage photograph from the late 70's and a shot of what the same bottle looks like now.

Located at Adams and Marshall in Downtown Richmond. Dairy building abandoned years ago was used in the mid-80s as artist studios. Fallen deeper into disrepair over the years, slated for renovation several times. As of June 1999, the building has been gutted, three walls (and the three milk bottles) remain. It is being converted to mid price apartments, with some luxury lofts. Rumor has it that the high end lofts will be inside the actual milk bottles.