Norfolk Architecture Scavenger Hunt
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 styles in the Ghent area on the other side of the Hague that we will not be seeing today but I wanted to talk about. Richardsonian Romanesque which is easily spotted by the towner with a conical roof and stone arch ways as well as course rubble stone walls these were built in the 1880-1900s Two dutch men in the early 1900s. The men, J.P. Andre Mottu and Adolph Boissevain, worked for the Norfolk Company, a real estate firm connected with the Norfolk and Western railroad. The firm’s goal was to build up Norfolk from an industrial city to contain upper-class suburbs as well.
(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. The two neighboring houses were built for Roper’s daughters, creating a family enclave along the street. 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 Romanesque-Gothic edifice features porticos, turrets and a gargoyle atop the front gable. A leading The Norfolk family, the Hunters, could trace their local roots back to 1678. This house belonged to James Hunter’s children until 1965. 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 CaptainRichard Page, the nephew of “Light Horse” Harry Lee.
(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 man who built this building actually also received the first speeding ticket in Norfolk (This was also a historically relevant case of short man syndrome)
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 towner
o Icon Norfolk
o Wells Fargo
Hilton Norfolk on 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.
Old Norfolk City Hall, also known as the Seaboard Building and U.S. Post Office and Courthouse, built in 1898–1900 easily spotted because of its rusticated stone and yellow brick in a Neo-Palladian Revival style.
Dominion building Our last stop the tallest building in Norfolk 26-story office building built in 1987 with a distinct postmodern design, known for its granite walls, cross-shaped plan, and prominent crown. This building is named after Virginia's nickname, "The Old Dominion".