In the Cavalier Hotel's shadow, homes take shape

By Stacy Parker The Virginian-Pilot April 5, 2015

Brick paver sidewalks and serpentine hedges. Two-car garages and gaslights on porches. The accoutrements of the Cavalier Residences in Virginia Beach keep adding up, but are sales?

Developers scooped up most of the 82 available lots, and some report prospective homeowners have reserved more than half of their sites, pending city approval of the development around the old Cavalier Hotel.

A percentage of the proceeds from lot and home sales will support renovations to the historic building. The two components, on fewer than 10 acres, complement each other in more ways than aesthetics.

A seven-member builder's guild awaits approval of a subdivision plat so that construction of homes can begin. That could be at least a couple more weeks, according to Nancy McIntyre, development services center coordinator for the city.

Meanwhile, an early permit opened the door for construction of the sales office, which later will become a home, and it's giving passers-by a hint of what's to come. Carpenters hammered away at the two-story cottage on the corner of Atlantic Avenue and Cavalier Drive last week.

The hope is the office's visibility along the busy North End corridor will attract homebuyers to the upscale gated community, especially once construction gets going, said D.B. "Bart" Frye Jr., developer of the project and president of Cavalier Residential Builders, one of seven companies that will build homes on the site.

A $70 million renovation project is under way inside the 1927 hotel to transform it into a member of Marriott's Autograph Collection. It will have 85 rooms and suites, three restaurants, a spa and a bourbon distillery.

Of the 40 lots owned by Cavalier Residential Builders, 60 percent have been reserved by homebuyers, according to Frye.

Linda Forehand has committed to buying a cottage behind the hotel, near Holly Road. VB Homes, which has reserved three lots and has contracts with contingencies to design homes on two of them, will build it.

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In the Cavalier Hotel's shadow, homes take shape