Construction is getting underway on a major Navy housing development in downtown Newport News, where officials marked the start of work Monday at Huntington Hall. The project will bring two new residential towers to the area, replacing existing buildings as the Navy invests in housing and quality of service for sailors.
More than $450 million is being directed toward the development near Huntington Avenue and Warwick Boulevard. Each of the two towers will stand 17 stories tall. The housing project is one component of a $1.7 billion Navy investment in Hampton Roads, placing the downtown construction effort within a larger regional commitment.
The buildings slated for replacement include Huntington Hall, which currently serves as the Navy’s housing and recreation center. Alongside the new residential towers, the development includes investment in parking improvements and community spaces. Those elements extend the scope of the work beyond the construction of housing alone.
The project follows a nationwide initiative the Navy began in 2023 to improve sailors’ quality of service. Additional housing was among the priorities of that effort, which followed an increase in suicides among sailors stationed in Hampton Roads. The Newport News development advances the Navy’s work to provide more housing for its personnel.
For city leaders and local business owners, the potential effects reach beyond the sailors who will live in the new buildings. They hope a larger downtown residential population will bring more people past nearby businesses, increase foot traffic and help support Newport News’ continued growth.
Mayor Phillip Jones connected the project to both the city’s identity and his own military service. “This is a Navy and Marine Corps town. This is a shipbuilding town,” Jones said, describing the significance of having sailors in the front row as officials dedicated the space to them.
Jones said the effort to improve sailors’ quality of life across Hampton Roads held particular meaning for someone who had worn the uniform for 14 years and continues to wear it. His remarks placed the sailors at the center of the ceremony and the investment.
The development also reinforces Newport News’ longstanding ties to the military and maritime industries. As construction begins, the project brings together the Navy’s housing priorities and local hopes that more downtown residents will support surrounding businesses.
