Professional BuildingPortsmouth, VAType/ Multi-family Apartment Time/ 2022-2023Client/ PrivateStatus/ Under ConstructionProfessional Building, a seven-story clinic office structure, was built in the 1920s. It will be converted into a 43-unit modern apartment, while preserving the timeless architectural elegance of the edifice. The ground floor will be devoted to eight commercial units, offering thriving local businesses an opportunity to become an integral part of this …
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 …
Breathing New Life into Old Spaces: An Adaptive Reuse Case Study
The Albemarle Building, constructed in 1905, originally served as a hotel. In the 1980s, it was renovated into a law office. Today, the upper floors have been converted into boutique apartments, offering elegant contemporary living in the heart of historic Downtown Norfolk, with stunning views of Granby Street and the Big Wisky. The renovation of the Albemarle Building was a …
Hilltop Medical Center
Hilltop Medical CenterVirginia 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 elegant …
YMCA
YMCA BuildingPortsmouth, VAType/ Multi-family Apartment Time/ 2023-Client/ PrivateStatus/ Design.Historical photos over time (Photo Courtesy of Portsmouth Public Library)Color Palette diagramClient”…”Related ProjectsView AllAlbemarle Boutique ApartmentWellington Building
Get Well Soon
Get Well SoonNorfolk, 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 for …
DMV Wagering
DMV WageringWashington, DCType/ CommercialTime/ 2021-22Client/ PrivateStatus/ Design.ConceptRelated ProjectsView AllGot Fish?Handle 19
Tidewater Eye Center
Tidewater Eye CenterVirginia 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 common …
Asian Fusion
Asian Fusion RestaurantNorfolk, 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 dining …
Jolluxe
Jolluxe Event BoxVirginia 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. Adjacent …
Care More
Care More MoversNorfolk, 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 of …
Handle 19
Handle 19 Premium SportsbookWashington 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 a …
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 design …
The Ruff House Play & Stay
The Ruff House Play & StayChesapeake, VATime/ 2019The 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 clients about …
The Ruff House Play & Stay II
The Ruff House Play & Stay IIVirginia Beach, VAType/ CommercialTime/ 2021Client/ PrivateStatus/ Under ConstructionThe 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 Restaurant1345 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 prototype …
Hanaki Restaurant
Hanaki RestaurantChesapeake, 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 systematic …
Judy’s Restaurant II
Judy’s Restaurant IIChesapeake, 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 dining …
Judy’s Restaurant I
Judy’s Restaurant IVirginia 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 views …
Urban Thread
Urban ThreadNewark, 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 single …