Henrico to demolish Best Products HQ, save iconic eagle statues

State of play: Henrico approved a contract with S.B. Cox Inc. this month to demo everything on the site — except for the massive limestone eagles.

• Designed by sculptor Rene Paul Chambellan, the birds were created for an Art Deco-style airline terminal in New York, where they perched until the building was demolished in 1978.
• That's when Sydney and Frances Lewis, Best Products founders and longtime Richmond art patrons, saved the birds and brought them to home to Richmond.
• The striking works have remained here for nearly 50 years, and will likely stay, either as part of the new development or be preserved elsewhere, per the county.

What's next: A demolition timeline will be shared soon, per the county, with work set to start this year.

• A developer for the project hasn't been announced yet.