In 1973, the Virginia Beach City Council recognized the Pembroke area’s potential as a commercial center and rezoned a portion of the area as the Central Business District (CBD). This zoning classification earmarked the Central Business District for development as a metropolitan center for financial, commercial, professional, and cultural activities. The City of Virginia Beach had experienced unprecedented growth in the past three decades. Recognized as the population center of the city, nearly 78% of the city’s residents live within a five-mile radius of the CBD. The Central Business District, which is located at the crossroads of one of the busiest intersections in Southeastern Virginia, is exactly halfway between downtown Norfolk and the Virginia Beach oceanfront.

In 1986, a small group of prominent Virginia Beach businessmen recognized the need for an entity that would bring cohesion and direction to the emerging CBD, and the Central Business District Association of Virginia Beach was formed. Three years later, in November 1989, the Virginia Beach City Council endorsed the Association’s concept plan and allocated funds for the creation of a CBD Commission to prepare a Master Plan. The Commission presented its findings to the City Council in March 1991. Following its review in July 1991, the City Council accepted the Master Plan by a unanimous vote and referred it to the Planning Commission to consider its implementation and any recommended changes to the City’s Comprehensive Plan.

In November 1995, the Virginia Beach City Council voted unanimously in favor of establishing a new zoning category to be known as B-3CBDA-Pembroke Central Business Core Zoning District. This new district provides for pedestrian sidewalks and off-site parking, as well as several traditional urban features such as tree plantings, sidewalk cafes, pedestrian walkways, and landscaping. Members of the CBDA Planning Committee and City staff worked together to develop the new zoning district. Its adoption by the City Council made possible the development of Virginia Beach’s new TownCenter.

In November 1999, the Virginia Beach City Council approved the establishment of a Tax Increment Financing District to support the construction of public amenities in the CBD, to include structured parking, roads, landscaping, and utilities.

On February 8, 2000, the Virginia Beach City Council approved the Town Center project, a mixed-use “main street” style development within the City’s emerging Central Business District.

The groundbreaking ceremony for The Town Center on June 7, 2000, officially brought to reality the CBDA’s vision of a “City Center” for Virginia Beach. A groundbreaking celebration was held for Phase II of The Town Center on February 5, 2004. Phase II of the Town Center is complete with the addition of national retailers and restaurants at the Pembroke Mall.

Construction on Phase III began in September, 2005. In late fall, 2007, Virginia’s tallest building – the Westin Hotel & Residences –opened along with the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts and the Studio 56 Lofts. All three pieces help solidify the true essence of The Town Center by providing more living options and a facility that hosts nationally-recognized performers. Additionally, the 5-story Two Columbus office building was added next door to One Columbus Center as well as The Hilton Garden Inn and TowneBank containing first-floor retail and 5 floors of office space. They were completed in fall, 2008.

Fred Napolitano founding member

Gerald Divaris (on left) founding member – Richard Olivieri (middle) founding member – Burrell Saunders (right) former president