Type: Historic
Project Name: City Hall Avenue Parking Facility
City: Norfolk
State: Virginia
Client: City of Norfolk

Features: 738-car space garage was constructed along the Elizabeth River to primarily serve the new Nauticus Museum in Norfolk.

Description: Located at the intersection of City Hall Avenue and Boush Street in downtown Norfolk, this facility was constructed to serve the new Nauticus Museum as well as the business and tourist activities in the Tidewater area. A cast-in-place, post-tensioned concrete on pile foundation was chosen for this six-level structural frame, served by two stair towers each, including two panoramic elevators. The facility includes approximately 15,000 square feet of commercial space and a highly upgraded maritime style fa?ade.

The structure was tailored with architectural pre-cast concrete creating a common denominator between the cornices of the surrounding historical building and the material of the new business construction in downtown Norfolk. Sandy buff colors above, connected by strips of aged copper metals to earth tone red below helped the past and present to merge and form an aesthetically focused entity. Integrated into the city system, the parking control equipment accommodates both transient and permit patrons. Wayfinding graphics, communication systems, and a scream alarm in largely open spaces provide users with a sense of full security.

DESMAN Associates is the Architect and Structural Engineer of Record Parking Consultant. DESMAN provided a full time site representative during the construction phase. Scheduled for a 12-month construction period, the facility met all deadlines and was completed approximately $800,000 below budget.