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$350M project that will transform Virginia Beach Oceanfront to open next spring

Crystal Graham
Atlantic Park project Virginia Beach rendering
Rendering from Marketing Ad Deck

A $350 million project is under way at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront that will include a surf park, an entertainment venue, retail and office space, parking and luxury apartment homes.

The Atlantic Park project is backed by producer and entrepreneur Pharrell Williams, who launched “Something in the Water” as a multi-day musical festival on the oceanfront in 2019.

Born and raised in Virginia Beach, Williams has also opened hotels and restaurants in Miami and Toronto.

In addition to Williams, the 12-acre project is being developed by the Venture Realty Group. The development team also includes the W.M. Jordan Company, Bishard Development and H2O Investments.

The site, which will include a new public boardwalk is located on the site of the former Virginia Beach Dome between 18th and 20th streets, is adjacent to the Entertainment and ViBe districts in Virginia Beach. The site has been a parking lot since 1994.

Planning Director Kathy Warren told Virginia Beach City Council that the project is expected to open in spring 2025. It will be open throughout the year.

Warren said phase one of the project includes 300 apartments, more than 100,000 feet of retail and restaurant space, an amphitheater that can hold 3,500-5,000 people, two parking garages and the Wave Garden surf park.

The 2.67-acre surf park is powered by Wavegarden Cove technology and will deliver 1,000 ocean-like waves per hour.

An additional phase will add more apartments, parking spaces and office and retail development.

The Virginia Beach oceanfront draws 11.5 million visitors annually.

AFP has reached out to Venture Realty Group and the Virginia Beach planning department for more information.



Crystal Graham

Crystal Graham

Crystal Abbe Graham is the regional editor of Augusta Free Press. A 1999 graduate of Virginia Tech, she has worked for 25 years as a reporter and editor for several Virginia publications, written a book, and garnered more than a dozen Virginia Press Association awards for writing and graphic design. She was the co-host of "Viewpoints," a weekly TV news show, and co-host of Virginia Tonight, a nightly TV news show on PBS. Her work on "Virginia Tonight" earned her a national Telly award for excellence in television.