Mr Williamsburg, Revolutionary ideas on real estate!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.

UPDATE AUGUST 2010: The event will feature 9 homes and one condominium villa.  The custom homes range from 2,000 to 3,000 square feet and are priced from $500,000 and up.

Construction crews are working through the near 100-degree temperatures to complete the Fall Homearama homes on time. Tidewater Builders Association’s Fall Homearama will be held at Norfolk’s East Beach community from Oct. 16-31. This will be the second Homearama for the Norfolk coastal community, which launched its residential development with the 2004 Homearama showcase.

Since the 2004 showcase, which featured 17 homes, East Beach has grown into an active traditional neighborhood development with more than 230 homes, retails shops, a Montessori School and parks and open spaces for the residents to enjoy. A sprawling 7,000-square-foot Bay Front Club has been built, as well as several amenities for residents to enjoy, including a pool, tennis courts, rose garden and more. Construction is being completed on condominiums with first-floor retail and soon more cottages also will call East Beach home.

Participating in the Fall Homearama will be the following builders:  John W. “Chip” Iuliano, ABT Custom Homes; Bill Brice and Les Ore, Bill Ore LLC; Scott Crumley, Crumley Group Inc.; Larry Hill, L.R. Hill Custom Builders Inc., Chris Kanter, North Shore Construction; Jimmy Richardson, Richardson Homes Inc.; Mary-Dolph Simpson, Page Simpson and Howard Simpson, Simpson Builders Inc.; and Stephen, Alex and Steve Quick, Stephen Alexander Homes.

Crumley, a first-time Homearama builder, is building the Charity House. The beneficiary of the profits from the sale of the home will benefit St. Mary’s Home for Disabled Children in Norfolk, a long-term pediatric residential care facility dedicated to children with severe physical and intellectual disabilities.

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.

click for a location map of  East Beach Norfolk, VA in a larger map

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

Filed under: East Beach, New Home Communities, Norfolk |