It’s back to the beach – Norfolk’s East Beach community that is – for Tidewater Builders Association Fall Homearama 2012 showcase of fully furnished and landscaped homes.

The event, set for Oct.13-28, will mark an unprecedented third time Homearama has visited the award-winning coastal community known for its porches, bay front greens, linear parks, winding, pedestrian friendly streets and sidewalks and other elements of a traditional neighborhood development. Up to 25 lots are available for builders interested in participating, including several bay front lots.

The first streetscape in the neighborhood was created for Homearama 2004, after the city of Norfolk and the Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority cleared the blighted area. East Beach is a public-private initiative that includes the city of Norfolk, the Norfolk Redevelopment & Housing Authority and East Beach Co. LLC.

Six years later, with more than 250 families making it home, the community was host to Homearama 2010, featuring nine homes, plus condominiums at The Villas at East Beach.

TBA President Sam Cohen built in the 2004 event and also plans to build a Homearama home this fall. “East Beach has so many attractive characteristics going for it that it has become the address to have in Norfolk,” said Cohen. “Not only was it designed to be one of the premier walking communities on the East Coast, it features amazing attention to detail on the exterior of each one of these houses, the bayfront club where one of the best lots on the site was preserved for the residents to enjoy, and of course, the Chesapeake Bay as your backyard.”

The Homearama site represents the next to last phase of purely residential development being planned in the neighborhood, which is designed as a mixed-use community with commercial amenities in the mix, according to Bart Frye, managing partner for East Beach Company, LLC.

“We were very pleased with the success of the 2010 Homearama and we welcome the opportunity to showcase the bayfront district of East Beach,” said Frye. “We also hope to feature scattered coastal style homes throughout the neighborhood to give potential buyers a chance to see a variety of products available in East Beach.”

A lot drawing for interested builders is planned for noon, Wed., February 22, at the East Beach Bayfront Club. Lots range from $150,000 to $525,00 for a bayfront lot. The Homearama lots range from 3,500 to 6,300 square feet and are located between East Beach Drive and Pleasant Avenue.

East Beach is situated on 100 acres along the Chesapeake Bay. The master plan for this $500 million development includes a minimum of 700 residences, neighborhood restaurants, boutique shops, a Bay Front Club, unique parks and public places, as well as business offices.

For more information, contact Sandra Amidon at 305-9045 or [email protected].