Bon Secours will open an upscale medical office park in Virginia Beach.

From 2001 Commercial Real Estate Review

DRE and Land Dev. Develop Projects In Hampton Roads

CHESAPEAKE, VA - With just under 1.6 million people, Hampton Roads, Virginia, is the 27th largest metropolitan statistical area in the United States and the fourth largest on the southeastern seaboard.

In recent years, Hampton Roads' landscape has gone through dramatic changes. Retail and office buildings have taken the place of vast fields of grass and trees. Areas that were once empty and underpopulated have evolved into settled neighborhoods, resplendent with shopping centers, dining establishments and business centers.

John M. Knibb, partner in charge of Divaris Real Estate's Chesapeake, Virginia, office, has been instrumental in the planning of several major new developments throughout Hampton Roads. He assists local, national and international clients with land acquisitions and the development of office parks, hotels, mixed-use entertainment centers, healthcare and grocery-anchored retail properties. Knibb has secured sites for corporations and leading retailers that are either expanding into the market or establishing Hampton Roads as their new home.

Knibb is also president of Land Dev. Inc. (L.D.I.), an affiliate of Divaris Real Estate, Inc. that provides fee development and consulting services to clients requiring developer expertise and experience. Land Dev. has been instrumental in creating the pleasant appearance of many new commercial developments such as Greenbrier MarketCenter, Suffolk's MarketCenter at Harbourview and the Wal-Mart power center on Battlefield Boulevard. In operation since 1992, the firm directs and coordinates contractors, consultants and subcontractors for its regional and national clients.

A graduate of Virginia Tech's urban planning degree program, Knibb served on the Housing and Redevelopment Commission in Newport News. He has devoted himself to the quality of development in his native Hampton Roads for over 15 years.

Asked to describe what a master planning company does, Knibb cites Land Dev. Inc.'s mission statement: "The highest and best use of property in terms of real-world market data and exposure." Land Dev. Inc. is the place where ideal land use and realistic economics meet and do business. The development not only serves the community, but also it betters it.

Bon Secours Purchases 13.75 Acres in Virginia Beach

In future months, Land Dev. will see the completion of Phase I of Brenneman Farm. The project offers L.D.I. the opportunity to plan the development of "one of the largest undeveloped properties in the center of an intensely developed city," explains Knibb.

Brenneman Farms will be located on 200 acres of prime property located between South Independence Boulevard and Princess Anne Road in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Brenneman Farm is a rarity - a community to be planned and built from the bare ground up. Few urban planners get a chance to start with such unspoiled space.

"There were pre-existing zones," Knibb reports, "And we had to work those into our planning. Ultimately, we plan a series of lakes and fountains as you drive along South Plaza Trail toward Brenneman Farm. It should be beautiful. I am very proud of the appointment to master plan this project."

Divaris Real Estate, Inc. exclusively represents the owners of the land on which an office and commercial development will be constructed. Knibb recently brokered the sale of 13.75 acres to Bon Secours Medical for the building of an upscale medical office park. Bon Secours has combined forces with Brinkman, MDC in the development of this complex, which will include a women's diagnostic center and suites to be leased to specialists in the field of cardiology, OB/GYN and plastic surgery.

Divaris is currently marketing land within the development for office use, as well as a 16-acre parcel at Princess Anne Road and South Plaza trail, targeted for retail and entertainment.
 

Another Wal-Mart Superstore Coming to Virginia Beach

Wal-Mart has commenced construction of a 200,000-square-foot supercenter on Ferrell Parkway Extension, near General Booth Boulevard in Virginia Beach. Wal-Mart will be adjacent to The Home Depot, which will be constructed on a 15.8-acre parcel, and attached to a shopping center to be built on 15.7 acres of land. Gem Development is partnering with the landowner in the development of the three-phase shopping center, which will adjoin the Wal-Mart supercenter.

Divaris' Knibb has represented Wal-Mart in numerous transactions throughout Virginia. This will be the third Wal-Mart in Virginia Beach through Divaris' efforts. "Wal-Mart has become more sensitive to the desires of the community," Knibb says. "The exterior of the store will be heavily landscaped with an earth-tone and brick finish."

The MarketCenter at Greenbrier is a good example of a similar project that benefited from L.D.I.'s master planning. Located at the cloverleaf of Interstate 64 and Battlefield Boulevard, the center is pleasing to view with awnings, brick storefronts, and benches that lend a small-town feeling to this part of Chesapeake.
 

The Power Plant of Hampton Roads comprises 100 acres of retail and entertainment.

DRE Sells 19.6 Acres for Retail/Entertainment Complex

Earlier this year, Knibb represented the seller in the sale of 19.6 acres of land that will become part of The Power Plant of Hampton Roads. Located at the intersection of Mercury Boulevard and West Queen Street off Interstate 64 in Hampton, Virginia, The Power Plant is a 100-acre retail/entertainment complex.

Knibb says the development will blend traditional retail with a high-energy entertainment component, which will feature restaurants and live entertainment venues. Vickie Siokis of DRE's Newport News, Virginia, office is working with Knibb to attract retail and entertainment facilities to this exciting project.

Knibb worked closely with the City of Hampton, JDN of Atlanta and The Cordish Company of Maryland in this initial acquisition. A 115,000-square-foot Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse will be constructed on a portion of the property, fronting onto Mercury Boulevard.  Cordish is a fully integrated development company of commercial properties. 

Knibb Plants Frank's Nursery in Newport News

Rubloff Development Group purchased 8.837 acres of land at the intersection of Chatham Drive and Boykin Lane in Newport News for under $2 million from Two-O-Seven Company, LLC. They are building a 60,000-square-foot Frank's Nursery. The building will encompass 22,000 square feet; in addition, there will be a 32,000-square-foot outdoor sales area and a 6,000-square-foot covered building.

Knibb represented the seller in the negotiations. Frank's will join Farm Fresh, The Home Depot, Linens 'n Things, Wal-Mart and Sam's Club, also located on land sold by Knibb. 
 
 

PREVIOUS NEWS