Atlantic Park
A transformative mixed-use development, Atlantic Park represents the synergy of history and modernity, redefining the Virginia Beach Oceanfront and cementing its place as a cultural hub for generations to come.
Led by the local developer Venture Realty Group and backed by music legend and Virginia Beach native, Pharrell Williams, the $350-million project is set to unify three city blocks in its initial phase. By integrating a surf park within urban residential offerings, alongside an indoor-outdoor entertainment venue, shops, restaurants, and office space over 10.95 acres, the development is designed to create a vibrant atmosphere that reflects the unique character of the local community and continues its authentic heritage of music and surf culture.
A 2.67-acre surf lagoon stands as the development's centerpiece. Powered by Wavegarden Cove technology, the surf lagoon will replicate natural waves, creating an authentic ocean-like experience for surfers of all levels. The first of its kind in the U.S., this state-of-the-art attraction is sure to make Atlantic Park a dynamic bucket-list destination unlike any other on the East Coast.
“Well before it was concrete and asphalt, the Oceanfront was a dense coastal forest on the edge of windswept dunes. A century later, we are drawing on that inspiration to create an organic architecture that invites lush landscape back onto the site and becomes a fluid gateway from the Vibe Creative District to the Atlantic Ocean.”
– Alec Yuzhbabenko, AIA, Design Principal
Atlantic Park will be home to a new 70,000-square-foot entertainment venue that honors the legacy of "The Dome" - a beloved cultural landmark for over 35 years. The new venue will accommodate up to 3,500 guests indoors, expanding to 5,000 for outdoor events via retractable hangar doors. On non-event days, the surrounding amphitheater will transform into a welcoming community park, hosting art fairs, markets, free performances, and more, adding to the cultural vibrancy of the entertainment district.
With a strong emphasis on multi-family living, the development will offer a diverse collection of over 300 flexible options, ranging from studios to three-bedroom apartments. Its residential buildings feature elevated courtyards that serve as community spaces, offering views of both the surf lagoon and the Atlantic Ocean.
Gentle curves and recessed forms, soft edges, and spacious balconies connect private living spaces with verdant gardens, blurring the lines between indoor and outdoor environments. A range of amenities enhances the resident experience, including a large pool deck overlooking the surf park, fitness areas, outdoor pet areas, and both indoor and outdoor communal lounges, as well as co-working spaces.
With its innovative design and community-driven approach, Atlantic Park is poised to create a new paradigm for urban design, offering a unique model for community-centered living and ushering in a new era of growth and cultural rebirth, one that promises to improve not only the urban landscape but also the lives of the people who call it home.
“The real magic of waves is the energy, that when harnessed has the potential to power incredible things.”
- Pharrell Williams
The design of Atlantic Park was a collaboration between firms Hanbury, Gensler, and Cooper Carry.
- Sector: Civic + Community
- Scope: Architecture, Planning
- Virginia Beach, VA
- Summer 2025
- Visuals by Hanbury, in collaboration with ATCHAIN
Atlantic Park Celebrates “Bottoming Out”
Atlantic Park Gets Go-Ahead with Financing in Place
Portal to the Past: Unearthing Nostalgic Energy with Atlantic Park's Construction Fence
Atlantic Park AR Mural Blends Physical and Virtual Environments
- Diamond District Redevelopment Master Plan Proposal
- Virginia Union University Master Plan
- East Quad Renovation
- Smith Hall
- Eastern Divide Brewing Co.