Historic Warehouse Survey, Tidewater, VA

Virginia Ice & Freezing Co., Norfolk, VA

Commonwealth Preservation Group was contracted in the Summer of 2008 to survey and identify potentially eligible historic warehouses and industrial buildings within the cities of Norfolk, Portsmouth, Chesapeake and Virginia Beach. The purpose of the survey was to identify potential prospects for acquisition and renovation by a local developer and construction company.

Southern Bagging Co. Warehouse, Norfolk, VA

Using historic mapping and aerial photography, key buildings were identified. Preliminary site visits were undertaken to assess certain buildings, and the remaining buildings were vetted against the existing information at the Virginia Department of Historic Resources. The lack of remaining evidence of historic industrial buildings in this area is disheartening, however it makes the remaining buildings that much more valuable. One key factor in evaluating potential eligibility for listing on the Virginia Landmarks Register and National Register of Historic Places is the relative rarity of resource type within its context.

Based on the information in this document and site visits, selected buildings have and will continue to be identified for further study.