The Cordish Companies Announce the Name of Norfolk's New Iconic Destination: The Waterside District
The revitalization of the historic Waterside building, the Waterside District, will still prominently feature The Cordish Companies’ Live! brand and, consistent with prior announcements, will remain as a vibrant, family-friendly gathering place for local residents and visitors, full of best-in-class local and national restaurant and entertainment concepts.
“We are excited to announce that we see a larger vision for this important site that is more than a Live! District. , but ultimately a broader mixed-use, waterfront district, and the name, the Waterside District, speaks to that potential. This is exactly the approach we took in phased, mixed-use developments like Ballpark Village in St. Louis, MO and The Power & Light District in Kansas City, MO which has proved extremely successful,” said Blake Cordish, Vice President of The Cordish Companies. “We are extremely honored to have the opportunity to bring Waterside back to life, and transform it into a vibrant regional destination that will be a source of pride for the community. To have an iconic building on the waterfront in a truly great city is a special opportunity for our family. We are going to put our heart and soul into returning the building to its former glory and providing Norfolk’s waterfront a new sense of place.”
“This plan will allow us to maximize the potential of this important site for the City of Norfolk. We have executed similar strategies in multiple cities across the country with tremendous success,” stated David S. Cordish, Chairman of The Cordish Companies for the last fifty years.
“We appreciate the Cordish Companies efforts to revitalize this iconic place on Norfolk’s waterfront, “said Mayor Paul Fraim, Mayor of the City of Norfolk.
“We have a once in a generation opportunity to enhance the waterfront of our great city so today’s announcement is incredibly exciting. We have one of the premier developers in the United States willing to invest long-term in our downtown which speaks to our city’s positive momentum.”
The Cordish Companies specializes in public-private partnerships which create urban districts that not only serve as a city’s living room, but also generate significant “spin off” economic development that stimulate broader economic revitalization beyond the project itself. In recognition of its urban revitalization accomplishments, The Cordish Companies has received seven separate Urban Land Institute (ULI) Awards of Excellence, which is more than any other developer in the United States. Prime examples of ULI Awards of Excellence that will serve as precedents for the Waterside District include the Power & Light District in Kansas City, MO; Charleston Place in Charleston, SC, and The Power Plant in Baltimore’s world-renown Inner Harbor.
The Cordish Companies received feedback from the community and the city regarding the historical significance of the Waterside name and agreed to preserve and honor it.
David Cordish made an interesting analogy between his Company’s decision to retain the Waterside name in Norfolk and a similar decision to retain the Power Plant name in Baltimore: “The Power Plant evokes warm memories, and was well known to Baltimoreans. There is a substantial similarity with the Waterside name in Norfolk. Almost twenty years ago, we made the decision in Baltimore to retain the Power Plant name and the decision turned out to have been a home run. We are confident this will also be the case with Waterside District.”
An official groundbreaking for Waterside District is planned for August 26, with construction commencing thereafter. Waterside District is set to open Spring 2017.
About Waterside District
Located in the heart of the central business district and adjacent to the City of Norfolk’s world-class waterfront and festival site, Waterside District will become a central gathering place for local residents and visitors. A comprehensive $40 million overhaul and rebranding of Norfolk’s iconic Waterside Festival Marketplace will allow visitors to enjoy the best national and local brands and concepts that integrate the downtown with its waterfront. For more information, please contact info@norfolkwatersidedistrict.com or visit www.norfolkwatersidedistrict.com.
About The Cordish Companies
The Cordish Companies’ origins date back to 1910 and encompass four generations of privately-held, family ownership. During the past ten decades, The Cordish Companies has grown into a global leader in Real Estate Development, Gaming & Hospitality, Entertainment Management and International Urban Planning & Development. One of the largest and most respected developers in the world, The Cordish Companies has been awarded an unprecedented seven Urban Land Institute Awards for Excellence for public-private developments that are of unique significance to the cities in which they are located. Prime examples are The Cordish Companies’ prominent role in the redevelopment of Baltimore’s world famous Inner Harbor; Philadelphia, PA; Atlantic City, NJ; Charleston, SC; Houston, TX; Louisville, KY; Kansas City, MO and St. Louis, MO. In addition, The Cordish Companies has developed and operates multiple highly acclaimed entertainment destinations throughout the United States which welcome over 50 million visitors per year and are the most visited destinations in their respective regions. Over the generations, The Cordish Companies has remained true to the family’s core values of quality, entrepreneurial spirit, long-term personal relationships and integrity. As a testimony to the long-term vision of its family leadership, The Cordish Companies still owns and manages virtually every business it has created. For more information visit www.cordish.com.
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