Orchard Oaks represents the newest multifamily development opportunity for The Whitmore Company, with construction anticipated to commence in 2026. The site, located within the City of Hampton, Virginia, operated as a family-owned agricultural “truck farm” since 1942. Following the owners’ decision to cease operations, Whitmore successfully negotiated the acquisition of the primary parcel along with an adjacent residential property, allowing for a more cohesive development footprint.
As with Whitmore’s other recent developments, the site required a full rezoning to MD-4, a newly established urban density designation within the City of Hampton. From the outset, the project benefited from strong municipal support, as the City had previously identified the site as appropriate for higher-density development. Notably, the City’s support was further informed by its prior knowledge that the site was high, dry, and fully developable—a rare condition in the Hampton Roads region. Independent wetland and environmental studies subsequently confirmed this assessment.
The entitlement process was comprehensive and extended over a twelve-month period. It included an amendment to the City’s community development plan, followed by approvals from the Planning Commission and City Council. In August 2025, the project received City Council approval by a five-to-one vote. Following the expiration of the statutory appeal period, full zoning entitlements were secured, allowing the development to advance into final planning and design.
The current development plan contemplates approximately 322 apartment units. The site benefits from exceptional market positioning, located approximately one mile north of Whitmore’s highly successful Monroe Gates property. This proximity provides direct market validation, with all underwriting assumptions based on actual in-place rents and performance at Monroe Gates rather than speculative projections.
The property also offers strong visibility and access, with primary frontage along Mercury Boulevard and secondary access from Woodland Drive. Additionally, the site is well positioned to help address the City’s long-standing need for additional housing associated with the continued expansion of Langley Air Force Base, which has publicly identified a significant shortfall in available housing for service members.
Orchard Oaks represents a continuation of Whitmore’s proven infill development strategy in the Hampton Roads market. The project benefits from zoning certainty, proximity to existing Whitmore assets, and recent firsthand experience with current construction costs. The same general contractor utilized at Manor on the Green—Henderson, Inc. of Williamsburg, Virginia—has been engaged for Orchard Oaks, providing further cost and execution certainty.
Based on Whitmore’s track record with comparable assets, including Monroe Gates, the Company expects Orchard Oaks to generate similarly strong economic results and long-term value creation.
