Home Happens Here... and at The Spicer Building

Neff & Thompson, a celebrated local architecture firm, designed the building in an industrial-commercial vernacular notable for its functional elegance. The structure’s exposed brick façade, steel framing, and expansive warehouse-style windows were hallmarks of industrial architecture at the time, built to be fire-resistant and radiant with natural light. These generous window openings originally illuminated service bays and showroom floors, creating well-ventilated, visually striking spaces designed for both utility and presentation.

Historical Evolution Initially, the building served as the home of the Warriner Motor Company, contributing to the vitality and growth of Norfolk’s Auto Row, a key economic artery in the early 1900s. In later years, it became widely known to the community as the longtime home of Frank Spicer’s restaurant equipment business, further cementing its place in Norfolk’s commercial memory. 

Following decades of varied use, the building was honored with a thoughtful restoration, transforming it into 14 luxury apartments while preserving its architectural integrity. Special care preserved architectural features like original structural steel, brickwork, and window patterns, paying homage to the building’s industrial heritage while adapting it for modern living.

Designed for Living, Rooted in the Past Today, the Spicer Building stands as a bridge between eras, offering contemporary comforts nestled within a vessel full of architectural memory. Its sleek interiors, bathed in daylight through restored window bays, are heightened by echoes of industrial geometry and historical craftsmanship.