A Riverfront Revival: Reinventing the Waterside District
In downtown Norfolk, Virginia, KBE Building Corporation played a key role in the transformation of the Waterside District. Located along the Elizabeth River, this 130,000‑square‑foot redevelopment shifted a traditional mall into a high‑energy, mixed‑use entertainment and retail destination.
KBE Building Corporation Partners with Waterside District
A Complex Urban Build with Purpose
As Construction Manager at Risk, KBE Building Corporation was entrusted with bringing this high-profile transformation to life, helping turn a dated waterfront mall into a thriving, 130,000-square-foot entertainment and retail destination. Located along the Elizabeth River, the Waterside District now draws visitors from across the region to experience a reimagined waterfront experience anchored by bold design, national food and beverage brands, and a pedestrian-friendly layout.
Location: Norfolk, VA
Client: The Cordish Companies (Baltimore, MD)
Architect: Brown Craig Turner (Baltimore, MD)
Interior Precision. Exterior Impact.
KBE’s role encompassed the complete interior demolition of the original Waterside Festival Marketplace—an aging, underutilized space—followed by strategic upgrades to restore its potential. The team executed extensive MEP improvements, structural reinforcements, and architectural enhancements to create multiple restaurant-ready tenant spaces and open-air gathering zones.
The exterior work added a striking new identity to the district. This included full facade reconstruction, exterior lighting, site hardscape, large-scale patio and bar areas, and parking upgrades to support high-volume traffic and improve walkability. The result is an urban node that blends history with hospitality—a new chapter for Norfolk’s downtown energy.
Leadership that Delivers in Public View
Urban redevelopment at this scale brings complexity beyond the build. Tight logistics, public coordination, and schedule accountability were paramount. KBE led with confidence, coordinating closely with the City of Norfolk and The Cordish Companies to ensure work stayed on track and disruptions were minimized.
Our preconstruction team’s insights enabled seamless phasing, and our boots-on-the-ground site supervision ensured rapid decision-making in an active civic corridor.
This wasn’t a traditional construction project—it was a visible, high-traffic civic reinvention. KBE showed up ready.
Interior of Waterside District in Norfolk, VA | KBE Building Corporation
A Catalyst for Culture and Community
Waterside District is now a vibrant centerpiece for dining, events, and waterfront experiences, including anchor tenants like Blue Moon TapHouse, Guy Fieri’s Smokehouse, and The Market. As an investment in placemaking and local revitalization, the project continues to drive new foot traffic, support local business, and create jobs for the surrounding region.
At KBE, we build what matters—and that includes the places where people gather, connect, and celebrate. With Waterside District, we’ve helped Norfolk write a new story for its waterfront, one rooted in possibility and powered by precision.
