Century-old, historic Virginia Beach building to be razed for Oceanfront condo project

VIRGINIA BEACH — The City Council on Tuesday cleared the way for the razing of a nearly 100-year-old brick building at the Oceanfront to make way for a condominium project.

Originally a telephone company office and later a library, the city-owned building at 302 22nd Street is currently being used for event storage.

The owner of property to the east, west and south of the building plans to buy it to incorporate it into a redevelopment project that will include an 8-story residential tower with 131 condominiums with restaurant and retail space on the first floor and a parking garage.

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The project will transform the east end of 21st and 22nd streets, which is currently home to 21st Street Seafood Raw Bar Company restaurant and a hodgepodge of aging buildings.

In 1927, Chesapeake & Potomac Telephone Company built a two-story office on 22nd Street in Classical Revival style as part of an investment in the regional expansion of the telephone system to the then-tiny coastal town of Virginia Beach. The telephone office closed when the utility converted to the dial system and relocated employees to Norfolk. From 1959 to 1978, it housed a city library.

According to the city, preserving the building is impracticable due to its deteriorating condition. As part of the purchase agreement, the developer will be required to place a plaque on the outside of the new building recognizing the site’s historic significance to Virginia Beach.

Michael LaGiglia, the developer, owns property on Pacific Avenue between 21st and 22nd streets. He’ll swap right-of-way space for the city’s land so that Virginia Beach can build a new turn lane on Pacific Avenue.

In the resort area, 22nd Street is the route to leave via Interstate 264 west. Traffic currently backs up along Pacific Avenue with drivers waiting to turn left onto 22nd Street. The turn lane will aim to alleviate some of that traffic.

Stacy Parker, 757-222-5125, [email protected]