Mr Williamsburg, Blogging on Life and Real Estate in Williamsburg and Hampton Roads Virginia

East Beach in Norfolk, Virginia was home to one of the most successful Homearama shows in 2004  (during the height of the new homes market in Hampton Roads.) After surveying many other sites throughout Hampton Roads it has been chosen as the site of the fall 2010 Homearama show.

After weeks of buzz, Tidewater Builders Association has officially announced it will head back to Norfolk’s East Beach coastal community for its Fall 2010 Homearama showcase of homes, set for October.

In 2004, East Beach was host of one of TBA’s most successful Homearamas to date. The neighborhood’s original 16 homes created a streetscape that many at the time likened to a Hollywood movie set. It almost seemed as though there was some Hollywood magic in the air – as everyone associated with the event took great pride in what they had created.

It seemed almost surreal that this upscale streetscape featuring porches, bay front greens, and exquisite architectural detail could have arisen from the dust of an area once best known for its blight.

As such, the event was cause for great celebration from the city’s leaders, who saw validation in their decision to pursue redevelopment there.

It was also a hit with Homearama visitors – at over 110,000 strong, they created a record attendance.

East Beach was among three locations the association was considering.

Situated along the Chesapeake Bay in East Ocean View, East Beach was created nearly a decade ago on an 105-acre tract that was once home to some of Norfolk’s most blighted neighborhoods. East Beach’s other border to the south is Pretty Lake — an arm of the bay. 
Boaters enjoy immediate access to pleasure boat marinas on Little Creek Inlet, which provides easy passage to Chesapeake Bay.

The architectural mood here is “beachy,” with a quintessential New England flavor and houses to match. The Bayfront Club sits on Chesapeake Bay beach, and offers a pool, a weight/cardio room, and a bayfront room for weddings and gatherings.

Like other traditional neighborhoods, East Beach is a haven for pedestrians. Streets are deliberately narrow to slow traffic, allowing residents to walk or cycle safely to nearby parks, the beach, or the deepwater marinas along Pretty Lake. Public parks and greens are everywhere – even along the Chesapeake Bay – so that neighbors can gather and play. Porches are wide to encourage sitting, and close to the street to spark conversations with passersby.

Within a couple of years, East Beach will open a town center with a combination of restaurants and shops. In the meantime, just outside the community but within easy walking distance are four restaurants, a variety of shops, fishing access and several marinas.
With only about 20 percent of the 700 planned residences sold, there are plenty of spots for newcomers to find their niche.

Tentative dates for the fall Homerama show are  Oct. 2-17, 2010 and homes would likely cost between $450,000 and $600,000. TBA is also having its first spring Homearama, scheduled for May 8-23, 2010 in Founders Pointe in Isle of Wight County.

My own preference for a Homerama show would showcase homes from $200k-$250k.  When are we going to make housing affordable ? What about “Green Building ? “ Lets see who can build the most efficient home with the lowest net utility cost.  Last years show at Culpepper Landing was a huge hit with its price range. I was just in Richmond VA ( Chesterfield ) and was amazed at the features and style that builders were able to offer in the low $200’s price range.

OK, that’s it for my rant for now.

Map location of East Beach, Norfolk Virginia

If you are a vendor wanting to exhibit at the East Beach Homerama show contact TBA here