Virginia Beach Builds Strong Momentum with New Tourism Product Development, More Progress on the Horizon

Three new sought-after fashion retail stores, an upscale hotel property and aerial adventure experience lure leisure and business visitors, helping to drive economic growth for the city

(Virginia Beach, Va., July 14, 2014) – Virginia Beach, the most populous city in Virginia, is building strong momentum in 2014 with several new product development projects which are helping to attract leisure and business visitation, driving economic growth for the city.   “These product development projects are key for Virginia Beach as we grow our tourism industry in meetings and conventions, sports marketing and leisure,” said Virginia Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau Director James B. Ricketts. “Virginia Beach is a diverse city that welcomes nearly 6 million overnight visitors annually. We must continue to invest in product development to remain a top choice for visitors in a highly competitive travel market.  

In less than a month, three sought-after fashion retail stores signed leases and announced they would be opening in Virginia Beach’s downtown area, Town Center, a mixed-used development with 17 blocks of restaurants and deluxe business hotels, cafes, offices, luxury resident spaces and entertainment. Anthropologie, which sells women's clothing and accessories, was first to announce their upcoming fall debut on May 2. The store is leasing almost 10,000 square feet of prime retail space in the Main Street Tower.  

Free People, a high-end women’s fashion store, and Lululemon, a yoga-inspired athletic apparel company based in Vancouver, British Columbia, also signed leases on June 9. Both stores are leasing 3,200 square feet and are expected to open in fall 2014. The new tenants will draw shoppers and join other noted national retailers to Virginia Beach’s highly successful Town Center, including Brooks Brothers, LOFT, Origins, Caché, Johnston & Murphy, Sunglass Hut, Destination Maternity and Dick’s Sporting Goods.  

Opening for business Memorial Day weekend to kickoff the summer vacation season, the Hilton Garden Inn Virginia Beach Oceanfront is the newest hotel on the famed Virginia Beach Boardwalk. The 168-room hotel is within walking distance to dining, shopping, entertainment, water activities and a variety of attractions. Guest amenities include free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour business center, a state-of-the-art fitness center, indoor and outdoor pools, two oceanfront restaurants, and a parking garage. The hotel also features 5,000 square feet of flexible function space and a 3,000-square-foot conference room overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.  

Following the new hotel opening, the Adventure Park at the Virginia Aquarium debuted on May 31 to outdoor adventurists who like to fly, climb and zip line. Located just minutes from the oceanfront resort area, the five-acre Adventure Park features 13 different ropes courses through the trees, more than 20 zip lines, and  160 platforms as well as an outdoor “Labyrinth” containing 40 more platforms. Additional product development coming soon to Virginia Beach includes:  

iFly VA Beach

The city’s first indoor skydiving complex is expected to open in fall 2014 in the heart of the oceanfront resort area. The $49-million project will include an iFly wind tunnel that will provide a safe and protected way for individuals to experience the thrill of a free-falling skydive. The complex will also conveniently house 147 adjacent luxury residential apartments.  

Cavalier Grand Hotel

The historic and iconic Cavalier Hotel, built in 1927, is planned to undergo a $259-million renovation. The development is planned to reopen in 2016 as a 5-star member of Marriott's distinguished Autograph Collection complete with 90 guest rooms, an onsite bourbon distillery, a ballroom for lavish weddings and social events and a world class restaurant.  

Baseball Complex

Slated to be complete by April 2015, the new baseball stadium will be home to a minor league team from the Atlantic League. Plans call for a five to six thousand seat stadium near the Virginia Beach Sportsplex, in the heart of Princess Anne Commons.  A 13-field youth tournament complex will be built adjacent to the stadium.  

Sports and Entertainment Arena

Currently under negotiation and pending City Council approval, United States Management has proposed building a sports and entertainment arena with the capacity to hold 18,000 seats at Virginia Beach’s oceanfront resort area. Proposed plans call for the arena to be equipped with state-of-the-art features capable of supporting a variety of events, located adjacent to the 516,000-square-foot LEED Gold certified Convention Center.  

Virginia Beach is the 37^th largest city in the United States and is recognized as one of the Best-Run Cities in America by 24/7 Wall St. The Virginia Beach CVB is responsible for promoting year-round leisure, meetings and convention business, and international travel to Virginia’s most populous city.