25-06-2025
Historic Virginia Beach building may be razed for new housing development
VIRGINIA BEACH — A historic, city-owned building at the Oceanfront could soon be torn down to make way for a new mixed-use development project.
21st Street Properties, LLC., wants to build an 8-story condominium building with retail space and a restaurant between 21st and 22nd streets, west of Pacific Avenue. The developer is Tony Schmidt, owner of 21st Street Seafood Raw Bar Company, which sits behind the city's land.
The proposal would be a land swap without the need for a money exchange. Michael LaGiglia, who owns property that abuts Pacific Avenue and leases to Schmidt, would provide right-of-way space for a left turn lane on Pacific Avenue in exchange for 302 22nd St., Emily Archer, deputy director of economic development, told the City Council Tuesday.
In the resort area, 22nd Street is the route to leave via I-264 west. Drivers heading into the resort area come off of I-264 east at 21st Street.
A 1927 brick building currently sits on the city's land at 302 22nd St. It was used by a telephone company and later home to a city library. The property's appraised value was $1 million last September, according to the city. To renovate the building for a new use would cost $1.6 million, Archer said.
A public hearing and comment on the proposal could be held next Tuesday. A super majority vote of the City Council will be needed to approve the sale.
'To me, this project accomplishes a lot of things,' said Councilman Worth Remick, who represents the district. 'This is a really important intersection at the resort that right now needs some TLC, needs some love.'
The Virginia Beach Historic Preservation Commission had hoped to preserve the building. Last year, the city issued a request for proposals to sell the property for an adaptive use. Only two responses for were received: one from LaGiglia and one from Schmidt, and they were the same, Archer said.
The proposed $100 million development project would include 131 condo units, restaurant and retail space on the first floor and a four-story parking deck for residents and customers. The building would be set back from Pacific Avenue providing the right-of-way space needed for a dedicated left-turn lane, which would relieve congestion funneling out of the resort area, Archer said.
Attempts to preserve the historic structure were made, but the developer determined it would not be logistically or financially feasible.
'An 8-story development in close proximity to that structure would likely damage it during construction,' Archer said.
Schmidt could not be reached for comment at time of publication.
The developer plans to erect a plaque on the new building that will describe the historic significance of the property.
Chesapeake & Potomac Telephone Company constructed the building in 1927 as part of an investment in the regional expansion of the telephone system. It housed the Virginia Beach Princess Anne County Library from 1959 to 1978, and has been used for storage in recent years.
Stacy Parker, 757-222-5125,
