Downtown Norfolk Progress

[vdogg]

Fort Norfolk is gonna develop into a business district long before SPQ. Sentara has a voracious appetite for expansion and all their  most recent expansion has been vertical, which bodes well.

[urbanlife]

12 hours ago, brikkman said:

That's why I do not understand their concept. What's left in DT for that kind of development? The synder lot, McArthur Center lot. The rest would be a demo and rebuild. The plan for SQP did not include plans to expand DT to include such developments. I know that could change, but I get the impression they want or seek to keep dt small and contained. I think if they want to continue to be the center of the metro, SQP and Ft.Norfolk should be thought out a little more carefully. 

My personal opinion, Norfolk does not have the real estate to offer what a va.beach or chesapeake can provide in terms of suburban living. I would rather see them offer up more of an urban lifestyle, at least in that section of Norfolk. Think big, think grand, think unique.

I agree with you here, Norfolk should be looking at target neighborhoods and key points as being locations for urban redevelopment in the form of 3-5 story buildings to create new urban districts throughout the city. Any realistic expansion of downtown would have to happen in the SQP, or at least on the western portion, for the city to grow its downtown area. When you go to google and put in downtown Norfolk, it does include the Neon District as being a part of downtown. That is definitely a start for an area for there to be taller buildings and to make downtown feel as if it is expanding. For expanding eastward, I have always felt that the area between St Paul and Fenchurch/Church, including Young Terrace should be included in that redevelopment and expansion of downtown. Bringing back a street grid and urban developments is key for that area.

This comes back to Norfolk needing to think big and to think like a big city. All it takes is the right people in the right positions that have this kind of vision for the city, but there is no reason why Norfolk can't be the big urban city of Hampton Roads/Tidewater/Southside.

[BFG]

22 minutes ago, urbanlife said:

This comes back to Norfolk needing to think big and to think like a big city. All it takes is the right people in the right positions that have this kind of vision for the city, but there is no reason why Norfolk can't be the big urban city of Hampton Roads/Tidewater/Southside.

I think the current mayor is seeing this. He wants it to be more of an urban city, as well as one that embraces the arts more. I've mentioned this before, but he is big on SPQ becoming a reality, and being a place where current Tidewater Gardens residents can coexist with newcomers to the city. I think once the apartments that are supposed to go on the corner of St. Paul and Bute St. are built, I guess we hear more about SPQ. Having a younger, diverse council is a step in the right direction.

I'd love to see more development on the north side of Brambleton, not just the NEON District. 

[ntheo]

14 hours ago, vdogg said:

Fort Norfolk is gonna develop into a business district long before SPQ. Sentara has a voracious appetite for expansion and all their  most recent expansion has been vertical, which bodes well.

I agree. The pieces are coming together for Fort Norfolk. In addition to the new towers being built there should be some kind of announcement coming up this year on the Woodis Ave/Front St section. Otherwise the push in downtown is to build north so I think we will see activity above Brambleton before SPQ. SPQ and Young Terrace are going through a legitimate rethink in the best way to make it mixed use without pushing out the current residents.

[vdogg]

18 hours ago, ntheo said:

 In addition to the new towers being built there should be some kind of announcement coming up this year on the Woodis Ave/Front St section. 

Hmmm...

[urbanlife]

On 2/17/2017 at 6:15 PM, BFG said:

I think the current mayor is seeing this. He wants it to be more of an urban city, as well as one that embraces the arts more. I've mentioned this before, but he is big on SPQ becoming a reality, and being a place where current Tidewater Gardens residents can coexist with newcomers to the city. I think once the apartments that are supposed to go on the corner of St. Paul and Bute St. are built, I guess we hear more about SPQ. Having a younger, diverse council is a step in the right direction.

I'd love to see more development on the north side of Brambleton, not just the NEON District. 

That is an important factor. Much of what has made Portland, Or what it is today was because of a young council that was willing to think outside of the box and push big ideas. Because of that, Portland set out on a path to be a pedestrian friendly city with an extensive light rail system and a bike friendly city. And as I always say, just remember tall buildings may make for a cool skyline, but it is the 3-5 story buildings that make for an amazing urban experience.

[baobabs727]

Downtown Norfolk Real Estate now valued at over $1BN, more than doubling since the last decade.

https://pilotonline.com/business/real-estate/downtown-norfolk-s-total-real-estate-is-worth-over-billion/article_5d215eeb-6727-5f75-a5cc-a6b9a0dc6209.html

 

[lil-bear]

On ‎6‎/‎9‎/‎2017 at 8:35 PM, baobabs727 said:

Downtown Norfolk Real Estate now valued at over $1BN, more than doubling since the last decade.

https://pilotonline.com/business/real-estate/downtown-norfolk-s-total-real-estate-is-worth-over-billion/article_5d215eeb-6727-5f75-a5cc-a6b9a0dc6209.html

 

That's great news.

[BeagleAccountant]

It's a sad day. After 82 years, The Virginian-Pilot is selling their downtown Norfolk headquarters.

https://pilotonline.com/business/real-estate/article_365a9e6e-8ef7-11e9-8087-f37fed6d9d98.html

[urbanlife]

8 hours ago, BeagleAccountant said:

It's a sad day. After 82 years, The Virginian-Pilot is selling their downtown Norfolk headquarters.

https://pilotonline.com/business/real-estate/article_365a9e6e-8ef7-11e9-8087-f37fed6d9d98.html

This is a common trend across the country as the newspaper industry fades. Hopefully this will lead to a huge redevelopment for that part of the city and add lots of new life.

[HRVA]

The Pilot’s building has officially hit the market for $10 million (rounded) which is about $50/SF. I expect it to follow the trend of older office properties being converted to apartments. This coupled with the Pilot leasing new space elsewhere will push office vacancies down a bit. 

Colliers Listing -   Flyer and floorplans

Price tag for Virginian-Pilot building in downtown Norfolk set at $9.8 million - Virginian Pilot

[varider]

I was downtown this evening for a bit, haven't been home in over a year (been in Miami), and I have to say that i was blown away by the progress and the development and the vibrancy and the evening foot traffic in the city. I took a few photos of the construction in Ft norfolk area that I will post later, but the core of downtown and around waterside was bustling and I am seriously surprised and impressed at how far the city has come in my lifetime (im 25 now). I rode the Lime scooter around and thoroughly enjoyed myself and cant even believe how far norfolk has come. 

[baobabs727]

42 minutes ago, varider said:

I was downtown this evening for a bit, haven't been home in over a year (been in Miami), and I have to say that i was blown away by the progress and the development and the vibrancy and the evening foot traffic in the city. I took a few photos of the construction in Ft norfolk area that I will post later, but the core of downtown and around waterside was bustling and I am seriously surprised and impressed at how far the city has come in my lifetime (im 25 now). I rode the Lime scooter around and thoroughly enjoyed myself and cant even believe how far norfolk has come. 

Great, welcome home! And safe travels! Can’t wait to see the photos!

[Norf Native]

It would be a lot busier if it wasn’t for the pandemic. I agree, Fort Norfolk/Midtown is really poppin.  Now I’m waiting for the next tower announcement (fingers crossed). 

[mintscraft56]

(personal) Progress report: Significant Downtown building wise.

 

Tidewater garden transformation going well.

NEW 6 story apartment building talking a significant spot in the downtown Norfolk lower skyline. 

New Bikes.

Multiple lamppost fixed along main and granby 

New plans for MacArthur (personal favorite is totally tearing it down and reconnecting street grid and give access to a new high rise potential development)

Casino getting closer to reality

SPQ apartment plans went down by a few floors each (Disappointing to majority of us) 

Fort Norfolk officially named "Midtown"  Norfolk. 

New plans announced for Patriotic Festival that will bring significant _^business and attention to Norfolk and Portsmouth and their Downtowns as a whole

With some SPQ becoming part of of downtown the number of blocks in the downtown district rose.

<<Please notice this is just personal note and memory of what I thought was significant or important from this year!>>