Freemason: The Norfolk Neighborhood I Still Miss

There are neighborhoods you live in, and then there are neighborhoods you leave but never quite get over. For me, that’s Freemason.

I used to live in Norfolk’s historic Freemason neighborhood, and I miss it all the time. There’s just something about it that doesn’t feel quite like anywhere else in Hampton Roads. Maybe it’s the cobblestone streets. Maybe it’s the gorgeous old homes tucked behind mature trees and gardens. Maybe it’s the fact that you can be surrounded by centuries of history and then walk a few blocks and find yourself smack in the middle of Downtown Norfolk. Whatever it is, Freemason has a way of getting under your skin - in the best possible way.

And I got to know this neighborhood from more than just my own front door. Years ago, my friend Josh Weinstein, owner of Norfolk Tour Company, and I co-hosted a “History Meets Real Estate” walking tour through Freemason. Josh brought the fascinating historical details; I brought the Realtor brain that wanted to know what happened to the houses, how the neighborhood evolved, and what all that history means when someone actually wants to own one of them. It was basically our two favorite subjects mashed together into one very nerdy walk - and I loved every minute of it.

Because Freemason has stories. Some of its oldest surviving homes date to the 1790s, with buildings from the 18th, 19th, 20th and 21st centuries all sharing the same relatively tiny patch of Norfolk. The neighborhood has been built, changed, threatened, preserved, restored and reimagined over generations. So when you walk down Freemason Street today, you’re not looking at a neighborhood that was designed to look historic. You’re looking at the real thing.

And walking is kind of the whole point here. Freemason is one of those rare places where leaving your car parked actually makes life better. You can wander down the cobblestones, grab coffee, walk along the water at the Pagoda and Oriental Garden, hop onto the Elizabeth River Trail, head toward Town Point Park, or keep going into Downtown for dinner, a show, a festival or whatever Norfolk has decided to throw that weekend.

But what I miss most about Freemason isn’t really any one restaurant, building or attraction. It’s the feeling of living there.

Freemason gives you city living without always feeling like you’re living in the middle of a city. There are brick sidewalks, shady streets, little pockets of green, boats along the waterfront and homes with enough architectural personality to make my Realtor brain very happy. Then, when you want a little more action, Downtown is right there waiting for you. It’s the kind of neighborhood where an ordinary evening walk can accidentally turn into dinner, drinks, live music or a waterfront festival.

And yes, the cobblestones are ridiculously charming right up until you’re driving over them and suddenly discover every loose object currently residing in your car. Historic charm has a price.

Still, if someone asked me which Norfolk neighborhood has my heart, Freemason would be very, very high on the list. I loved living there. I loved getting to teach people about it. And every time I drive through, I get that tiny little pang of, “Wait…why did we leave again?”

Some neighborhoods are simply places to live. Freemason is a lifestyle - and apparently one I’m still not over.