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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
Albemarle Boutique Apartment
Albemarle BoutiqueApartment Norfolk, VAType/ Apartment BuildingTime/ 2021-2022Client/Lightwell Development GroupStatus/ Completed Structure Design: McPherson DesignMEP Design: PermitZipHistoric Preservation Consultant: Commonwealth Preservation GroupGeneral Contractor: Ringenberg ConstructionThe 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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
Flow into Nature
Flow into Nature Virgina Beach, VAType/ ResidentialTime/ 2019-20Client/ PrivateStatus/ Completed Structure Design: Small Potatoes Structural EngineeringMechanical Design: PermitZipGeneral Contractor: Oceanside StructuresEvery renovation project is a conversation with the existing structure. When the existing building has its own unique character and features, the dialogue becomes more engaging and inspiring. The full renovation of this Mid-Century Modern house built in 1951 is …
Pavilion House
Pavilion House Hampton, VAType/ ResidentialTime/ 2020-2021Client/ PrivateStatus/ CompletedIn the last couple of years, we have started to see more and more hidden gems of mid-century modern houses in the Hampton Roads area and are fortunate to work on some of the renovations. This MCM house in Hampton is one of our latest design. The goal is to reveal its potential beauty …
Contempo Living
Contempo Living Norfolk, VAType/ ResidentialTime/ 2018-2020Client/ PrivateStatus/ CompletedThis project is a renovation of a custom home built in the 1970s. The goal is to create an open floor plan with optimized flow for entertaining as well as daily use.Also included in the design is to transform and update the exterior of the home to reflect more contemporary aesthetic. Another key component …
Vacation at Home
Vacation at Home Virginia Beach, VAType/ Single-Family Home RemodelTime/ 2017-2018Status/ CompleteThe Morgan house is a renovation of a ranch house with aging-in-place concept. The design focused on a senior couple who have been living in the house for over 20 years. GARC believes that designing a renovation project for aging-in-place should not just be a passive response to resolve the …
Wellington Building
Wellington Building Norfolk, VAType/ Apartment BuildingTime/ 2020-2021Client/ Lightwell Development GroupStatus/ CompletedAward/ NPC Preservation Awards of Excellence People’s Choice AwardIt has been quite a challenge to convert a 100-year old building in Ghent Historic District into modern apartments, while keeping the original historic features and complying with today’s code and lifestyle. It involves close collaboration with MEP engineers, Tax Credit consultants, as …
MCM Revisited
MCM Revisited Virginia Beach, VAType/ ResidentialTime/ 2021-2023Client/ PrivateStatus/ DesignWhen the client approached us for their home renovation, they had considered multiple concepts but hadn’t settled on a final decision. The objective was to construct a two-story addition including a two-car garage and a second-floor suite. Additionally, the client expressed a strong desire to incorporate more mid-century modern design elements into their …
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. …
Folding House
Folding House Virginia Beach, VAType/ ResidentialTime/ 2020-2021Client/ PrivateStatus/ DesignThis single-family house in the Thoroughgood Neighborhood has very good bones and strong Mid-Century Modern features. The clients moved into the house several years ago and planned to make it a long-term home. In this split-level house, the flow to the kitchen on the upper level and the family room on the lower …
Working From Home – Challenges and Solutions
After staying at home for more than a month, the challenges of WFH are starting to reveal themselves. One significant challenge many people are finding is how to separate work and personal life, as this was previously separated by their commute, or physical distance. Yes, you can sit at your kitchen island, or use your laptop on a sofa, but …
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 …
Connecting Dots
Our clients from Get Well Soon sent us this piece writing about their business. Thanks for the shout out to our design! “The duo relied on Norfolk-based architects, GARC Design, to help create all of the interior drawings and renderings of the space. “It was a really fun and easy process,” adds Ahmad. “They were easily able to take our …
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 …
Two-Grid House
Two-Grid House Suffolk, VAType/ Residential Time/ 2019-2020 Client/ Private Status/ Design SketchesMockups.Heather and Andres”GARC designed a significant remodel of our home. We loved their ability to mix modern and conventional features into the design. Yang and Suping are also extremely kind and helpful. Their work is top tier and we would strongly recommend their firm.”Related Projects View AllFlow Into Nature Alternative Mid-Century …
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 …
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 …
Gallery Walk House
Gallery Walk Chesapeake, VA Type / ResidentialTime / 2017Client/ PrivateStatus / DesignWith this project, our client (an artist by trade), requested the design to match their taste. This meant at GARC, we needed to transform the existing Ranch Style home to reflect one that represented a Gothic Revival style. The new exterior design creates a greater sense of arrival, and also leads …
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 …