Norfolk Architecture Scavenger Hunt
New to Norfolk, VA or visiting while considering a move? This self-guided architectural tour is the perfect way to explore the city while discovering hidden details you might otherwise miss. Stroll through historic neighborhoods, learn fun facts, and see the unique character that makes Norfolk a vibrant place to live. Whether you’re here with friends, family, or just exploring on your own, you’ll get a true feel for the city and maybe even spot the perfect neighborhood to call home.
The Elizabeth River Trail winds along the waterfront, where you’ll also find the waterside district. This area has transformed dramatically over the years. If you pull up old photos of the Ghent area, you can see just how much the waterfront has changed. It used to be a booming port in the 1700- 1800s in which the city grew around from. Even just the 1960’s you can see how much has changed as the high rise district began to grow.
The Taiwan Observation Tower, known as The Pagoda, was a gift to the Commonwealth of Virginia and the City of Norfolk from the Republic of China, as a result of a sister state relationship established with Taiwan in 1981. The Tower was built around the pillars that previously supported a 500,000-gallon molasses tank. All materials for the tower were manufactured in Taiwan and shipped to Norfolk for assembly.
When we look at architecture we cannot overlook construction materials and access to construction materials. An example of construction material unique to coastal towns are cobblestone roads such as the one we see along Freemason Street. These cobblestones were used to help ships from capsizing as they were added or removed based on the weight of the ship to keep it stable.
There is an array of different architectural styles in the Ghent area, on the other side of the Hague, that we won’t be seeing today, but I wanted to mention. One notable style is Richardsonian Romanesque, easily recognized by its towers with conical roofs, stone archways, and coursed rubble stone walls. These buildings were constructed between 1880 and 1900.
In the early 1900s, two Dutch men, J.P. Andre Mottu and Adolph Boissevain, worked for the Norfolk Company, a real estate firm affiliated with the Norfolk and Western Railroad. The firm aimed to transform Norfolk from an industrial city into one that also included upper-class suburban neighborhoods.
(Second Stop)
Old Norfolk Public Library 345 West Freemason Street (B. 1904) Classic revival which you will see in most of the commercial building here the key elements are primarily shown in buildings constructed during the late 1800s and mid 1900s, its design is especially notable for its Greek temple–inspired form, featuring strong symmetry, ornate detailing, and intricate etchings that highlight the craftsmanship of the period.
A.A. McCullough Row 338-346 West Freemason Street (B. 1889) This Italianate block is distinguished by its projecting bays, which give the façade a gentle rhythm and sense of movement. The design not only adds elegance and depth but also creates a visual connection that unites the block as a whole.
George Wisham Roper House 320 West Freemason Street (B. 1901) This home is a fine example of the Colonial Revival style, blending the familiar look of Colonial Williamsburg with elements of Federal architecture and touches of Greek influence that were brought back during the Revival movement. A cast-iron gate marks the entrance to the Roper Memorial Garden, adding both elegance and a sense of history to the property.
Camp-Hubbard House 308 West Freemason Street (B. 1852) This classic example of the Greek, Revival architectural style features a one-story portico flanked by paired Ionic columns. In 1851, William S. Camp helped organize the Merchants and Mechanics Savings Bank, the only local bank to survive the Civil War. The original cast iron fencing is considered to be of museum quality.
Hunter House 240 West Freemason Street (B. 1894) Designed by Boston architect W.D. Wentworth, This is the Richardsonian Romanesque style that you will see present across Ghent easily spotted because of it’s course rubble stone. The Hunter House is open to the public as a Victorian Museum.
Purdie-Taylor-Whittle House 227 West Freemason Street (B. 1791) One of the finest examples of Federal houses in Virginia, this house was built by George Purdie, a Norfolk merchant. It was bought in1803 by Richard Taylor, the progenitor of a long line of distinguished Virginians including Captain Richard Page, the nephew of “Light Horse” Harry Lee.
Epworth United Methodist Church 1894. Designed by architects James Edwin Ruthven Carpenter Jr. and John Kevan Peebles in the Richardsonian Romanesque style, notable for its use of rusticated granite with yellow sandstone trim. Its bell tower is topped with a pyramidal red tile roof, and the interior boasts 22 stained glass windows. After over 130 years of service, Epworth United Methodist Church held its final service on January 5, 2025, due to declining attendance. As of now, there are no publicly announced plans for the future use of the Epworth United Methodist Church.
Freemason Abbey - This building, originally constructed as a church in the 1870s, stands as a beautiful example of breathing new life into historic structures
(Third Stop)
Royster building – What you might know as the Glass Light Hotel was built in early the 1900s at 13 stories tall. This building began what would soon be the high-rise district in Norfolk. The son of the man who built this building received the first speeding ticket in Norfolk.
The Owen B Pickett US Customs House is one of the last examples of a federal building using the Roman temple form. Monumental in scale, It is constructed of granite from Blue Hill, Maine Single-leaf entry doors at the corners of the ground floor were originally designed as separate male and female entrances to the Post Office lobby.
Most of the skyline remained relatively low until the 60s The tallest buildings now are as ranked
o Dominion Tower
o Icon Norfolk
o Wells Fargo
Hilton Norfolk The Main is one of the newer buildings in the area built in 2017 the most modern style that will define the architectural style of our generation, one of those things were people will point and know exactly when that building was built. Architectural eras usually don’t get their “official” names until decades later, once critics and historians can look back and define the movement. But some suggests it will be know as Neo-Modernism.
Icon Building: Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, one of the country's leading architectural firms, and constructed from 1965 to 1967. In 2015 the building was turned into 300 luxury apartments as it began losing tenants to the dominion tower. During this time architecture was dominated by the Brutalist movement. These features include large, exposed concrete forms, repetitive geometric shapes, monochromatic color palettes, and a deliberate expression of the raw concrete material all of which are displayed in the design of the icon building,
Dominion Tower is our final stop. It is the tallest building in Norfolk, a 26-story office tower built in 1987 with a distinctive postmodern design. Known for its granite walls, cross-shaped floor plan, and prominent crown. Dominion Tower is a prime example of postmodern architecture. The building is named after Virginia’s nickname, “The Old Dominion”.
