Pembroke Area (Independence: condos, houses, neighborhood)

[msviolar]

Anyone care to comment on the Pembroke Area of VB?

Thanks,

[Fearless Kid]

From what I remember, nothing really special about it. They are building that area up to make it a "downtown Va Beach", if I'm not mistaken.

[stacylee926]

I do not go that way often anymore, but it has always been a congested area with the mall. Now that the Town Center is building up - might even be almost done - I imagine the traffic is even worse. Isn't the new Sandler Hall at Town Center?? That adds even more to do as far as shows/concerts go.

The good thing is that Town Center and that area have alot of restaurants (even though it is mostly chain restaurants) and shopping available.

I really am not sure how living there is. You certainly don't get a bad feeling walking around in the stores etc. Sorry I am not much help.

[EMERALDGIRL]

When I was younger growing up in VB my parents did not want me to hang out in that area. I don't think that it has gotten any better since then. Traffic is horrible around that area as well with the Town Center nearby. I don't venture out that way at all and really have no desire to. Just my personal opinion....... I think that there are far better areas around here than the Pembroke location.

[Lethal_Poison]

Originally Posted by nonibiz

From what I remember, nothing really special about it. They are building that area up to make it a "downtown Va Beach", if I'm not mistaken.

I think its hilarious that Town Center has pretty much turned in to a bunch of restaurants, mid level retail buildings, and overpriced condos. The high level jobs that we were promised that would come with that building never came to be. Go figure.

[the4pits]

What opinion are you looking for on the "Pembroke" area? The mall itself has always been king of small, without a wide variety of stores. Several anchor stores have come and gone, with the exception of Sears. The new Towne Center is pretty cool. Some good chain restaraunts,P.F. Changs,Cheesecake Factory, Funny Bone,Ruths Chris,Red Star,Cold Stone and a couple other pubs/bars. They are supposed to build a McCormicks and Schmitts in 08. Several other strip malls surrounding the area. As far as housing goes, typically not one of the better areas of VB. Not that its bad or rough, just ok at best. PA highschool is good, Bayside is not.VB Blvd and Independence Blvd is one of the,if not the biggest intersections in VB.TRAFFIC! The area seems to be in transition, and may one day actually become a true downtown which VB has never had. It will be interesting to see what becomes of the hodge podge of businesses adjacent to Towne Center between Ind. Blvd and Witchduck Rd through the industrial park. It is rumored that with the major Witchduck Rd. improvement that the city will continue to expand Towne Center all the way to Witchduck Rd.

[vdogg]

Originally Posted by the4pits

It is rumored that with the major Witchduck Rd. improvement that the city will continue to expand Towne Center all the way to Witchduck Rd.

Yeah, that is in the councils 20 year plan. In the immediate future, 2 more office towers are slated to go up next year and another project will expand the district west towards the FX building (there are rumors that Walmart is trying to buy that property, but the city is not too keen on it, lol.). As far as living there, there are some good properties and not so good properties. One of the paradoxes of revitalization is that the cheaper housing is demolished and that the housing of any acceptable level is priced out of reach. If you are looking to be near it all this will be the place to be, but you will have to put up with the traffic, that even I can admit is horrendous on a good day. There really is no blanket description that can cover the Pembroke area however, so the best thing to do is just go out and see for yourself. It would be better,msviolar, if you gave some criteria of exactly what type of information you are looking for.

[the4pits]

vdogg, they have already begun tearing down the houses on Witchduck.The first phase of Witchduck,PA rd is to widen from PA to 264. Then they will run a new PA Rd. over the office buildings on Lord Dunmore and old Belo lot. That is where the intersection will be.Apparently the final phase will be to widen Witchduck from 264 to VB Bvld wiping out all the businesses and school plant facilities.Your right, it will probally take 10-15 years. What is in the 20 year plan? That whole area has needed a facelift for decades. Kempsville is such a great neighborhood, and that Witchduck/PA rd. intersection will be an extension of Towne Center with shops and restarants.Do you think it would make that area of Kempsville kinda like VB's Ghent?

[vdogg]

Actually, there is a Kempsville historic distric master plan that is being worked on right now.

The plan calls for colonial style boutiques, book stores,
cafes and professional offices. It is expected to coincide with
the widening and realignment of PA Rd and Kempsville-Witchduck.
Construction on the $50 million road is to start in mid 2008. It goes
on to say it is an attempt to encourage more pedestrian friendly development.
The shops, offices and condos will be two to four stories and linked by
sidewalks, jogging and bike paths and eventually hope to extend to Town Center.

[rtandc]

The prembroke area is going to be one of Va Bch's pet project for years to come.....The problem with this area as you know is the traffic. There are many plans for this area but they seem to change almost daily. If they can keep the big box stores from this area it might have a chance as then it would allow the smaller private ownership stores and to move in the area...The Bch decided to try this area after the Oceana business park fell flat on it face a few years ago as no one wanted to be under the path of the jets all day....So far it is not doing as great as the city hoped as a few businesses have already failed or backed out but over all it is still going foward with construcion still going strong and slated for much more over the next few years....One of the long term goals is to bring high end single family housing around that area..so that will not allow most people to look at that area as far as housing needs....