Linda Federoff said she wouldn't have visited the area she now calls home before its redevelopment. Now, the 52-year-old and her husband, Jack, sleep peacefully in the 2,500-square-foot house they purchased from the 2007 St. Jude Dream Home winner.
In January, the couple relocated from Chesapeake's Great Bridge to Norfolk's East Beach because they wanted to simplify their lives, Federoff said.
They found everything they wanted in that community, a public-private initiative between the city, the Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority and East Beach Company LLC.
East Beach, which is being constructed in phases, was the site of Homearama 2004 and won the Tidewater Builders Association's Community of the Year award in 2006 and 2008.
Upscale single-family homes, cottages, condominiums and townhomes with pedestrian-friendly sidewalks now occupy a blighted area that was once contained 1,600 apartments.
Some 700 homes will eventually sit on the 100-acre transitional neighborhood development bordered by the Chesapeake Bay to the north and Pretty Lake to the south.
To complete the new urbanism development, the westernmost area of East Beach, bordered by Shore Drive, will be developed as a mixed-use retail center that blends residential, retail and limited office space.
"It will eventually have the butcher, the baker and the candlestick maker all within walking distance," Federoff said.
Richard and Kathy Geczi moved to East Beach after living in Virginia Beach for 28 years.
"We have a passion for boating and needed to be near the water," said 60-year-old Richard, who drives a golf cart to his boat at Pretty Lake marina on any given day.
East Beach has tennis courts, a stage pavilion, croquet lawn and putting green, giant outdoor chess and checkers set, greens with beach walkovers, neighborhood parks, garden pergola, playgrounds and more than half a mile of sandy beach. Events, including concerts and a December holiday celebration, punctuate the community's calendar.
Federoff said she can't stop raving about East Beach.
"I cannot say enough what a wonderful place it is and how much we truly love it. We found our dream home in East Beach," she added.
Sandra J. Pennecke, pennecke@cox.net what's inside
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