A $450 million military housing project officially broke ground in downtown Newport News, with city, Navy and development officials gathering near Warwick Boulevard to mark the start of construction on a nearly 1-million-square-foot complex that will eventually house up to 1,500 sailors. The project, called HomePort Hampton Roads 2, is planned to rise on the site of the century-old Huntington Hall, formerly Newport News High School, and will include 750 apartment units, retail space and a parking garage with more than 1,000 vehicle spaces.
The groundbreaking ceremony took place in downtown Newport News, according to The Virginian-Pilot. Newport News Mayor Phillip Jones said sailors living at the site would become part of downtown and the wider community, predicting that 1,500 new residents would bring more people to local streets, restaurants and businesses. As reported by Virginia Business, the more than $450 million military housing project promises to transform downtown Newport News.
Two Phases, Two Different Completion Dates
HomePort Hampton Roads 2 will be built in two phases. The first phase includes a 17-story apartment complex with 555 units — described elsewhere as 555 two-bedroom apartments accommodating 1,110 sailors — along with a four-story, 1,050-space parking garage and retail space, with Virginia Business reporting the first phase is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2029.
The second phase will add nearly 200 more apartments, additional retail space and a building dedicated to Navy programming, bringing the total development to approximately 750 units and 1,500 beds once finished in 2031. The finished complex is expected to include 10,000 square feet of retail space for commercial tenants, per the same outlet’s reporting.
Who’s Paying for It
Newport News, the U.S. Navy and Hunt Military Communities signed a $450 million construction contract in September 2026. The Navy is funding $400 million of the cost, Newport News is contributing $10 million, and Virginia lawmakers approved a $40 million state treasury loan for the project back in 2024, according to WAVY…