Virginia Department of Historic Resources Virginia Department of Historic Resources
For additional information, read the Nomination Form PDF
VLR Listing Date 06/13/2001
NRHP Listing Date 05/22/2002
NRHP Reference Number 02000532
Colonial Place Historic District was developed during the first quarter of the 20th century and emerged as a suburban community supporting the growing downtown area of Norfolk. Originally catering to upper-class patrons from 1903 to 1911, it included approximately 19 grand, single-family dwellings that exhibited Colonial Revival and American Movement-era styles and forms. The neighborhood was landscaped with tree-lined streets, traffic circles, and an intricate system of curvilinear roads that complemented the less-than-one-acre lots. Development was slow, substantially hindered by stiff competition and a citywide building slump. Consequently, the original high-class image was abandoned, allowing it to thrive as a solidly middle-class community. Growth of the neighborhood accelerated as World War I launched a trend of housing needs nationwide. This created a second phase of development that included just over 750 buildings by 1941. As a result, Colonial Place became defined by a variety of 20th-century architectural styles and building types ranging from high-style to vernacular interpretations of the elaborate styles erected decades earlier.
Many properties listed in the registers are private dwellings and are not open to the public, however many are visible from the public right-of-way. Please be respectful of owner privacy.
Abbreviations:
VLR: Virginia Landmarks Register
NPS: National Park Service
NRHP: National Register of Historic Places
NHL: National Historic Landmark
Updated: May 10, 2022
