“Moving into our new Norfolk headquarters has been a true homecoming for the company”, said Chris Uiterwyk, CEO of IPConfigure. “Our renovation of the historic factory has exceeded our expectations and we couldn’t be happier about the choice to locate within the Lamberts Point community and the Norfolk Innovation Corridor.“
IPConfigure is a software development company specializing in video surveillance solutions with two flagship products, Orchid VMS and SteelFin Servers. They recently redeveloped the historic Linde Air acetylene factory, which was built in 1939 to support the war effort. Norfolk based Work Program Architects (WPA) and the Commonwealth Preservation Group also played a role in the project.
Located on 4.5 acres in the heart of the Lamberts Point neighborhood, the campus, named Colony , is adjacent to the Elizabeth River Trail, and anchored by IPConfigure’s central 28,000 square foot tech campus.
According to Uiterwyk, the property’s area proximity to ODU, the Norfolk Southern Railyard, and its Norfolk Enterprise Zone (NEZ) designation, has potential for continued economic development. These factors were central to their decision to renovate the property, as was Norfolk’s support of local entrepreneurs.
Completed in late 2020, Colony is made up of four individual buildings for a total of 30,000 square feet of rentable space. Current tenants include 3DXtremes, Tridentis, BackEast Landscaping, and Sanctuary Tacos (Fall 2021).
Reflecting on the decision locate their headquarters here in Norfolk, Uiterwyk said, “It was clear then, and remains clear today, that Norfolk offers the region’s best proximity to so many assets to include talent, transportation, high-speed broadband services, and recreation amenities like the Elizabeth River Trail.”
The Colony project is a shining example of leveraging the NEZ to create a transformative project, and a true homecoming, indeed.
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This is an ongoing series that profiles Norfolk small businesses and entrepreneurs who have benefitted from the programs offered by the Norfolk Department of Development and their partners. Over the next few weeks, we’ll highlight some of the businesses and their projects that are in the NEZ. Stay tuned!
Meanwhile, to determine if your property is within one of 14 designated zones and for additional information click on the link: Enterprise Zones – Norfolk Department of Economic Development or contact the Local Enterprise Zone Administrator George Hoddinott.
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