Navitas Norfolk

Navitas Norfolk Norfolk, VAType/ Mixed useTime/ 2025-Client/ PrivateStatus/ Conceptual DesignNavitas Norfolk is envisioned as a transformative mixed-use destination—where city, university, and neighborhood converge. Rooted in Norfolk’s rich cultural heritage and industrial legacy, the development acts as an urban gateway, linking the ODU campus, Lambert’s Point, and the city’s evolving districts through vibrant public spaces, culturally grounded design, and walkable corridors that …

309 High

309 High Virginia Beach, VAType/ ApartmentTime/ 2024-2025Client/ PrivateStatus/ Under ConstructionThis project transforms the historic Quality Shop building in downtown Portsmouth into a vibrant residential community. Originally constructed in the early 1900s with warehouse additions in the 1940s, the building is being thoughtfully adapted into 11 modern apartments while preserving its distinctive High Street façade and display windows—maintaining its longstanding presence in …

Virginia Zoo Tree-Top Trail

Tree-Top Trail Norfolk, VAType/ CultureTime/ 2024-Client/ Virginia ZooStatus/ DesignDiscover the wonders of the Virginia Zoo like never before with the Tree-Top Trail, a centerpiece of the Zoo’s visionary EdVenture and Exploration Campus. This feature offers a unique opportunity for the Zoo’s animal ambassadors to explore interconnected outdoor habitats while providing guests with an unparalleled perspective on wildlife. The Tree-Top Trail is …

Virginia Zoo Edventure Campus

Edventure Campus Norfolk, VAType/ CultureTime/ 2022-Client/ Virgina ZooStatus/ Under ConstructionThe project is to create a novel facility named the Virginia Zoo AnimalEdventure Campus. The primary goal of this establishment is to present aunique learning environment for children, especially those up to their teenyears. This facility will be seamlessly integrated with the online adventureand outreach programs that the Zoo currently provides.The design …

Rhino Exhibit

Rhino Exhibit Norfolk, VAType/ CultureTime/ 2023-Client/ Virginia ZooStatus/ DesignThe Rhino Exhibit, a new addition to the Virginia Zoo, is dedicated to theGreater One-Horned Rhinos, also known as “Indian Rhinos.” The zoo eagerlyanticipates the arrival of these magnificent animals upon exhibit’scompletion. Due to the distinctive environmental needs of their natural habitats,the Greater One-Horned Rhinos require specially tailored conditionsto thrive. Strategically located at …

Professional Building

Professional Building Portsmouth, VAType/ Multi-family Apartment Time/ 2022-2024Client/ PrivateStatus/ CompletedThis innovative adaptive reuse project transforms a 1920s medical office building into a vibrant mixed-use development, seamlessly blending historic preservation with contemporary urban living. The seven-story Professional Building, a contributing structure to the Downtown Portsmouth Historic District, now houses 42 luxury apartments above eight street-level commercial spaces, demonstrating exemplary architectural sensitivity and technical …

Historic Office Renovation

Historic Office Renovation Norfolk, VAType/ CommercialTime/ 2023-2024Client/ PrivateStatus/ Under ConstructionFounded in 1916, E.T. Gresham’s current office building, constructed in 1939, has witnessed various changes over the years to adapt to evolving needs. At one point, large windows on the street level were blocked off for security and privacy, and the main entrance was relocated to face the parking lot. Recently, the …

Q&A: What type of projects does your firm do?

Our firm specializes in both commercial and residential projects. GARC has a solid reputation for delivering successful outcomes in both project types. Our design process is user-centered and research-oriented, allowing us to understand the unique needs of each project and collaborate closely with our clients to bring their vision to life. Our commercial projects are diverse and encompass a wide …

Carrie Headquarter

Currie Medical Headquarter Norfolk, VAType/ CommercialTime/ 2022-2023Client/ PrivateStatus/ CompletedThe new headquarters of Currie Medical, formerly Northfield Medical Manufacturing, LLC, consolidates the company’s previously scattered offices and manufacturing facilities into one central location. This project involved the complete renovation of an existing office/warehouse building to meet Currie Medical’s needs, incorporating a warehouse, production area, and a newly revitalized front office.The front office …

Hilltop Medical Center

Hilltop Medical Center Virginia Beach, VAType/ Health CareTime/ 2019Client/ Tidewater Eye CenterStatus/ Under ConstructionAward/ HRACRE 2021 Best Renovated or Historic Rehabilitation ProjectThe Hilltop Medical Center project is a renovation intended to refashion a contemporary clinic image for the Hilltop Medical Center building built in early 2000. After testing several design options, GARC and the Client came up with a simple and …

YMCA

YMCA Building Portsmouth, VAType/ Multi-family Apartment Time/ 2023-Client/ PrivateStatus/ DesignOriginally converted from a former YMCA building in the 1990s, the Old Towne Apartments in Portsmouth had become dated and dark after more than 30 years of use, no longer meeting the standards of modern urban living. Our firm was brought in to revitalize the common areas and address the lack of welcoming, …

Get Well Soon

Get Well Soon Norfolk, VAType/ CommercialTime/ 2020Client/ PrivateStatus/ CompletedAward/ HRACRE 2020 Best Interior Excellence Awards Located in Norfolk, Virginia, Get Well Soon is a sanctuary focused on self-care and personal wellness.  Get Well Soon will be serving the residents of Coastal Virginia by offering services that include guided meditations, massages, facials, an infrared sauna, social activities and more!  This unique concept …

DMV Wagering

DMV Wagering Washington, DCType/ CommercialTime/ 2021-22Client/ PrivateStatus/ Design.ConceptRelated Projects View AllGot Fish? Handle 19

Tidewater Eye Center

Tidewater Eye Center Virginia Beach, VAType/ HealthcareTime/ 2019Client/ Tidewater Eye CenterStatus/ CompletedThe project is a full renovation for Tidewater Eye Center’s new Virginia Beach location. Working together with the client, GARC has created a more efficient layout on the interior by creating three “pods” for the clinic. The pods help minimize the distance travelled for patients, doctors, and technicians, which was …

Asian Fusion

Asian Fusion Restaurant Norfolk, VAType/ CommercialTime / 2020-2021Client/ PrivateStatus/ ConceptThis is a drive-through restaurant serving healthy Asian fusion food. It is a hybrid model between fast casual and quick service restaurants. It emphasizes high quality food and a nice dining environment, while at the same time, it is self-serviced with drive through and pickup options. A butterfly roof separates naturally the …

Jolluxe

Jolluxe Event Box Virginia Beach, VAType/ CommercialTime/ 2020Client/JolluxeStatus/ DesignLocated in Norfolk’s Neon District, the project is to provide intimate gathering space for smaller groups. The challenge is to work with the long linear space to provide a backdrop for different types of events and allow for highly customization by customers and event planners. The layout is divided into three zones. …

Care More

Care More Movers Norfolk, VAType/ CommercialTime/ 2020Client/Care More MoversStatus/ Under ConstructionWhen we design a physical space, it always starts with understanding the business and the brand. Care More Movers provides moving concierge services, a one-stop shopping to take care of customers’ needs in all aspects before, during, and after moving. The retail space wants to present this business model instead …

Handle 19

Handle 19 Premium Sportsbook Washington DCType/ CommercialTime/ 2020Client/ PrivateStatus/ Under ConstructionThis project will be Handle 19 Premium Sportsbook’s flagship location. The 3-story historic building just a stone’s throw away from the Capital has a lot of potentials as well as challenges. We have been working closely with our client and his team to transfer the building into sportsbook spaces and …

Got Fish?

Got Fish? Hampton, VAType/ CommercialTime/ 2020Client/ PrivateStatus/ CompletedAward / HRACRE 2020 Best Recreational/Entertainment/Hospitality Project Merit AwardsThis project is Got Fish’s first location in Hampton Roads. Got Fish earned their reputation by providing their customers with fresh, high quality seafood and began to grow their loyal clientele by driving their food truck in seven cities located in the Hampton Roads area. The …

The Ruff House Play & Stay

The Ruff House Play & Stay Chesapeake, VAType/ CommercialTime/ 2019Client/ PrivateStatus/ CompletedThe sister location of Bayside Kennels, the Ruff House project covers a 10,000SF dog daycare and boarding facility located in Chesapeake, VA. The design involved converting an existing warehouse/office complex into a welcoming and functional space for doggies and other animals with good flow for easy operations. Multiple discussions with …

The Ruff House Play & Stay II

The Ruff House Play & Stay II Virginia Beach, VAType/ CommercialTime/ 2021Client/ PrivateStatus/ CompletedThe Bayside Kennels in Virginia Beach is a sister location of Ruff House Play & Stay in Chesapeake, which we designed back in 2019. The owners were incredibly happy with the Ruff House design and would like to rebrand the VA Beach location with the same name …

Honoka Restaurant

Honoka Restaurant 1345 Kempsville Road, Suite 100 Virginia Beach VA 23464Type/ Restaurant Time/ 2018 Client/  Honoka Teriyaki Express Contractor/ Spacemakers, Inc. Kitchen Equipment/ Crest Foodservice Equipment Signage/ Cardinal Sign Corporation (Exterior Sign); Image360 (Interior Sign) Furniture/ Goold Furniture & Design (Table and Pendant Light) Status/ CompleteLocated at the intersection of Indian River and Kempsville road, Honoka Teriyaki Express is a …

Hanaki Restaurant

Hanaki Restaurant Chesapeake, VAType/ CommercialTime/ 2018Client/ Hanaki SushiStatus/ Construction DocumentHanaki is a sushi restaurant located in Chesapeake VA.  After 10 years and a growing popular reputation, the owner decided to update the look of the space into a more contemporary design.  The challenge is to keep the existing overall layout to minimize the construction time and cost, while creating a …

Judy’s Restaurant II

Judy’s Restaurant II Chesapeake, VAType / CommercialStatus/ CompletedClient/ Judy’s Sichuan CuisineContractor/ Spacemakers, Inc.This is the second location of Judy’s Sichuan Cuisine. The owner, Judy, challenged GARC to create a different personality at  this location, but at the same time integrate similar design elements from its sister location in Virginia Beach. Another challenge we faced was to effectively define the large, open …

Judy’s Restaurant I

Judy’s Restaurant I Virginia Beach, VA Type / Commercial Time / 2015 Client / Judy’s Sichuan Cuisine Status / Under Construction Contractor / Spacemakers, Inc. Mural Design / Yizhi XuJudy’s Sichuan already enjoyed a reputation as “Best Chinese Restaurant” in Virginia, as rated by Yahoo Food 2015. But this wasn’t enough for the owner. She also wanted to challenge the stereotypical …

Urban Thread

Urban Thread Newark, NYType/ CommercialTime/ 2009Client/ CompetitionStatus/ DesignThe scheme explores how a visitor center can be a discovery device for the city based on the concepts of “thread” and “window.” For the former, the center serves as an interface between interior/exterior, nature/culture, and local/global. For the latter, it uniquely directs visitors’ attention to the city around it, thus encouraging exploration.ConceptA …