The Rail Yard at Lambert’s Point, a new mixed-use development on the west side of Norfolk, is bringing new retail, dining, and office options to a historic industrial area. The approximately $60 million project, led by local developer Meredith Construction, will adaptively reuse several early 20th century warehouses while adding new construction to create a vibrant hub.
The development has faced pandemic-related construction delays, but is now nearing completion. New tenants like the discount grocer Lidl, a Jimmy John’s, and several locally-owned eateries and shops have already signed on. The project also incorporates pedestrian and bike amenities to connect with the Elizabeth River Trail, which runs nearby.
Rich Meredith, a fourth-generation leader of the family-owned Meredith Construction, explained the significance of preserving the industrial aesthetic. “It felt wrong to tear [the warehouses] down. We wanted to create a space where…everyone feels welcome,” he said.
Tax credits offset renovation costs for the historic buildings, allowing Meredith to offer more affordable rents to tenants. He hopes to fill the central courtyard with community events like markets or concerts.
Meredith Construction partnered with local firms for design and construction. Meredith said having team members who live nearby gives them “extra vested interest in making sure this is a great place.”
The project has also focused on buffering pedestrians from busy Hampton Blvd. The new buildings front the street while parking goes behind. Meredith said this follows the Hampton Blvd Corridor Plan, unlike older strip mall developments where “you look at the parking lot and that’s aesthetically not very pleasing.”
Meredith is excited to see the project come to life after many years of work. He called it the “most rewarding” to bring amenities like a grocery store to West Norfolk neighborhoods. Although retail will open in phases over the next year, residents can already stroll the site and visit early openings like Nothing Bundt Cakes. Meredith said, “We want to create a space where…everyone feels welcome.”
