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Downtown Norfolk, Virginia

Downtown Norfolk Historic District
Granby Street, Norfolk, Virginia (2008).jpg
Granby Street (2008)
Downtown Norfolk, Virginia is located in Virginia
Downtown Norfolk, Virginia
Downtown Norfolk, Virginia is located in the US
Downtown Norfolk, Virginia
Location Granby, Main, and Plume Sts., City Hall Ave., and Bank St.; also Granby, Freemason, Charlotte, Bute, and York Sts., College Pl., and Monticello Ave., Norfolk, Virginia
Area 43.3 acres (17.5 ha)
Architect Cassell, Charles E.; Et al.
Architectural style Classical Revival, Beaux Arts, Italianate
NRHP Reference # 87000475, 01000613 (Boundary Increase)
VLR # 122-0265
Significant dates
Added to NRHP March 20, 1987, May 30, 2001 (Boundary Increase)
Designated VLR December 9, 1986, December 6, 2000

As the traditional center of shipping and port activities in the Hampton Roads region, Norfolk, Virginia's downtown waterfront historically played host to numerous and often noxious port and shipping-related uses. With the advent of containerized shipping in the mid-19th century, the shipping uses located on Norfolk's downtown waterfront became obsolete as larger and more modern port facilities opened elsewhere in the region. The vacant piers and cargo warehouses eventually became a blight on downtown and Norfolk's fortunes as a whole. But in the second half of the century, Norfolk had a vibrant retail community in its suburbs; companies like Smith & Welton, High's, Colonial Stores, Hofheimer's, Giant Open Air, Dollar Tree and K & K Toys were regional leaders in their respective fields. Norfolk was also the birthplace of Econo-Travel, now Econo Lodge, one of the nation's first discount motel chains.

Similarly, the advent of newer suburban shopping destinations spelled demise for the fortunes of downtown's Granby Street commercial corridor, located just a few blocks inland from the waterfront. Granby Street traditionally played the role as the premiere shopping and gathering spot in the Hampton Roads region and numerous department stores such as Smith & Welton (1898-1988), Rices Nachmans (1918-1985) and Ames and Brownley (1898-1973), fine hotels and theaters once lined its sidewalks. However, new suburban shopping developments promised more convenience and comfort. The opening of Pembroke Mall in Virginia Beach, the region's first climate controlled shopping mall, and JANAF Shopping Center in Norfolk's Military Circle area, helped foment Granby Street's spiral into commercial obsolescence. With amenities such as ample free parking at the door of one's favorite store, and in the case of Pembroke Mall, climate control, the businesses of downtown's Granby Street found it harder and harder to compete.


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