Norfolk Arts and Entertainment

[Ghentite]

Wish I could afford a photography studio down there. That seems like it would be cool.  Perhaps, have classes of different types, and do photography work all the same. Some of those buildings have exposed brick (which I love), and deep enough to support a studio of some type... If I didn't have a family, I could afford that easily, lol.

You should check out Alchemy NFK.  They're renting out one of the buildings down there and are about to fix it up.  Basically, their turning the place into a center for artists, photographers and musicians to sublet and turn into their own individual studios at a much more affordable cost.

 

https://www.facebook.com/#!/AlchemyNFK?fref=ts

[Ghentite]

Here's more on Alchemy NFK, which is just an awesome concept.  Apparently, three other vacancies in the area have already been leased/purchased.  That's in addition to multiple plans underway with the for public art in this area.  So things should really start to come together over the next year. 

 

http://norfolklive.blogspot.com/#!/2013/07/local-business-profile-alchemy-nfk.html

[BFG]

According to WTKR (Ch. 3), Alchemy NFK could wind up as a "beer serving flea market". I like this.

http://wtkr.com/2013/08/05/beer-serving-flea-market-could-be-on-the-way-to-norfolk/

 

I also love the "NFK" moniker. Would love to see that catch on as a local nickname, kinda like "RVA".

[Telmnstr]

Hah, what is the business to the right of Alchemy that was complaining?

[mikeas]

Good luck to those guys.  Once you add alcohol to your business plan in Norfolk you have a whole new level of bureaucracy to deal with.  They'll have to make the building meet current building codes as if it were new construction.  ADA bathrooms and maybe even sprinklers if they want a decent occupancy.  They'll have to pay an architect to design a seating plan showing where every table and chair would go and it'll go through a 4 month process with planning and council.

[Ghentite]

Lots of movement in the Arts District from building purchases to zonig changes to public art.  Wish we could fast forward a year to see this.

 

http://norfolklive.blogspot.com/#!/2013/08/making-things-happen-in-arts-district.html

[757Duke]

The old Zedd's building was demolished this afternoon. Room for the Plot in the future?

http://www.wavy.com/news/local/norfolk/building-demolished-in-norfolk

 

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - Crews in Norfolk conducted an emergency demolition of a building deemed unsafe Thursday.

[lil-bear]

I'm glad to see it torn down. A great opportunity for improvement!!!

[BFG]

I noticed it was gated off as I drove through downtown this morning. I'm sure my morning commute will look a little different tomorrow morning.

 

The rumor is that's where The Plot is going. Only makes sense...

[zeppelin14]

It makes better sense for Gamans to build one of his apartment buildings there.... If you want activity in the Arts District, you need residents.

[BFG]

 

Zedd's dead baby. Zedd's dead.

[BFG]

Does anyone know when they plan to take down the Granby+Main location? I would love to get some photography on that side and may head over there this weekend...the Dominion Enterprises tower and surrounding architecture made for a great backdrop!

[lil-bear]

http://www.chrysler.org/about-the-museum/expansion-renovation/history

 

The Chrysler Museum has a great web-site. The link above has pictures showing its evolution up to the current expansions!

[urbanlife]

The old Zedd's building was demolished this afternoon. Room for the Plot in the future?

 

http://www.wavy.com/news/local/norfolk/building-demolished-in-norfolk

 

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - Crews in Norfolk conducted an emergency demolition of a building deemed unsafe Thursday.

 

Normally I am against tearing down buildings, but this one didn't have anything really worth saving and if the building was unsafe, then it makes sense.  I can definitely see a new development here that helps spark renovations and new buildings in this district.

 

Seriously, it makes me so happy to see Norfolk actually doing something I have been in a huge support of for a long time.  I really hope this works out for the city because this is a perfect area for an arts district.

[Ghentite]

PLOT is moving to the old Zedd's lot.

[BFG]

Sweet! I was on Granby this morning, near the Greyhound station. They put a couple of sculptures on the corner of Granby+Brambleton. I guess that's the unofficial "entrance" to the Arts District?

 

Edited September 27, 2013 by BFG

[lil-bear]

Sweet! I was on Granby this morning, near the Greyhound station. They put a couple of sculptures on the corner of Granby+Brambleton. I guess that's the unofficial "entrance" to the Arts District?

 

 

 There are four I've noticed....two @ Granby and Brambleton and two @ Granby and Princess Anne

[zeppelin14]

According to the Norfolk Arts District Facebook page, the Texaco building has been sold:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Norfolk-Arts-District/147691442051313

[urbanvb]

That's a great building with a neat history. I'm glad to hear it's getting a new beginning.

[Helium3]

An update about the status of the new Arts District:

 

http://ideastations.org/radio/news/virginia-currents-norfolk-embraces-transformation-neighborhoods

 

 

 

Since the Better Block event last April, nearly all the vacant buildings in the immediate area have been sold or rented.

 

Seems like things in that part of town are going great! I was visiting the Arts District the other day and was amazed by the amount of progresses that's been made. For the first time in recent memory, that area seems alive!

 

[brikkman]

If we can get the pawnshop from that location (i know a stretch), I would be happy...

[brikkman]

We need to get talking about this again:

 

 

http://hamptonroads.com/2014/05/alchemy-nfk-draws-attention-norfolk-arts-district

 

 

 

It may be only a year old, but Alchemy NFK, the community workspace that anchors the new Downtown Arts & Design District, has hit a growth spurt.

[Helium3]

I agree, I was in the Arts District the other day and was astounded by how much it's progressed in the last year.

 

I also like what the article said about "branding" Norfolk as NFK, similar to Richmond's RVA. It's catchy. What do you guys think? 

[BFG]

That is amazing! I can't believe it's already been a year.

 

And yes, I've always liked the NFK moniker. It has a great ring to it to give this area an identity.

[virginia pe]

I also like what the article said about "branding" Norfolk as NFK, similar to Richmond's RVA. It's catchy. What do you guys think? 

 

To be honest, it doesn't do much for me.  I don't dislike it, but it doesn't grab me, either.

 

FWIW, NFK is the Amtrak identifier for Norfolk.  But for air travel, NFK is the airport at Norfolk Island, a tiny speck in the Pacific Ocean between New Zealand and New Caledonia.  Recently, Carnival Cruises incorrectly used photos of Norfolk Island in advertisements announcing their return to Norfolk, VA.  It's easy to tell the two Norfolks apart, though.  Norfolk, Virginia does not have palm trees dotting its beaches, with mountains in the background.