Ten years ago, when it first hosted Tidewater Builders Association Homearama showcase of homes, The Riverfront at Harbour View was a community getting ready to blossom along the shores of the James and Nansemond rivers in northern Suffolk. Today, this sprawling resort community is home to more than 1,000 families, boasts extreme curb appeal and nestles nicely into one of the region’s fastest growing areas. 
In 2001, more than 100,000 people flocked to the community for Homearama. From Oct. 15-30, visitors will once again see first-hand why so many people “come out and play, come out and stay,” the theme of the 2011 Fall Homearama, presented by TowneBank. Nine fully furnished and landscaped showcase custom homes will be on display.

What makes this community so attractive?
For starters, it offers homebuyers a variety of options from single-family homes to upscale condos. “The housing types attract a wide range of homebuyers,” said Mark Edwards, East West Partners senior vice president and broker.

 “We have a great group of builders who make it possible to develop a great quality and superior lifestyle for our residents,” said Branch Lawson, president of Hampton Roads Division of East West Communities. The Riverfront at Harbour View also offers eight preferred builders, each with a distinct style of homes. Among them are two Southern Living builders, Ed Sadler and Eric Sasser. Sasser was named 2010 Southern Living Custom Builder of the Year.

Single-family custom homes start around $500,000 and can go up to more than $2 million. The condominiums, in particular, The Gables, start about $260,000 and go to the upper $300,000s, depending on customization.

The convenient location is also a major plus for residents. “It’s surprising to people how convenient it is, especially for those who work on the Peninsula,” said Lawson.

Located off I-664 near the Monitor Merrimac Bridge Tunnel, the community is in the heart of Hampton Roads,
12 minutes from Downtown Norfolk and Newport News. Along the other side of the community are the Nansemond and James rivers.

Conveniences of Harbour View
Bordering The Riverfront is the Harbour View commercial corridor, home to corporate offices, medical facilities, retail stores, restaurants and more. “The amenities are right here. You don’t have to go far to get whatever you want,” Lawson said, “from great dining and shopping to easy access to the rest of the world.”

The Riverfront at Harbour View offers its residents a resort-style life through its amenities, including a challenging 18-hole championship golf course, clubhouse with indoor and outdoor fireplaces, large plasma screen and Cabana Bar; The Riverfront Swim Club with Junior Olympic swimming pool with 100-foot waterslide; lakeside infinity pool overlooking 26-acre Eagle Lake; two waterfront parks with piers and gazebos; a 43-acre lake with walking/jogging paths; two tennis courts and volleyball courts and more.
 “I’ve heard residents say they don’t need to go on vacation,” said Lawson. “They can stay home and enjoy what The Riverfront has to offer.”

What’s next for The Riverfront?
The Homearama site is the next to last phase of development for The Riverfront. Not originally planned, the site was an additional phase included with the purchase of the Bridgeway section, which is the street that will host Homearama’s Idea Marketplace. The addition brought another 135 acres to what is now a 600-acre development with 3 miles of waterfront property.

With the expansion will come another 84 families in the Gables condominiums next door. The last homes to be built will be upscale luxury condominiums on the river and they will bring another 85 families.
 
With about 70 single-family home sites remaining in The Riverfront, “we’ve got the end of The Riverfront in sight,” said Lawson. “The residents are by and large thrilled with their decision to be here,” he continued. “There is great social interaction among the neighbors, and I’m happy to be a part of it. The satisfaction rate of the residents is extremely high.”

For more information on The Riverfront and available homes and lots, contact East West Partners Senior Vice President/Broker Mark Edwards at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .