New offices in old building
Published 8:58 pm Thursday, March 19, 2015
Mayor Linda T. Johnson assists Domenick Epps and his wife, Lakita Epps, with cutting the ribbon at Benham Real Estate Group on West Washington Street. At right is Councilman Don Goldberg, with Councilman Lue Ward behind the mayor and Economic Development Director Kevin Hughes at left holding the ribbon. Vice Mayor Leroy Bennett is behind Epps.
Two ribbon-cuttings marked the first official openings in downtown Suffolk’s newest — and at the same time one of the oldest — office building.
Tower 112 on West Washington Street is being renovated by Ralph Nahra and Andy Damiani. It is a little more than 100 years old and used to hold a bank on the first floor. Two-time Virginia Gov. Mills Godwin Jr. once had his law office there.
“You have architecture, history, leadership, and now you have business,” Nahra said on Wednesday as he watched the ribbons being cut. “That’s what’s bringing it all to life.”
The two new businesses, a real estate office and a mortgage company, are located on the first floor.
Mayor Linda T. Johnson helps Ann Langston, far left, and Ann Tucker cut the ribbon in front of Tower 112 with Councilman Don Goldberg, far right, holding the ribbon. In back are Vice Mayor Leroy Bennett, left, and Councilman Lue Ward.
“This is a great location, and it’s close to my old neighborhood,” said Domenick Epps, owner of the new franchise of Benham Real Estate Group, who grew up in Saratoga. “I have a great relationship with the owners.”
Epps’ office moved in December, but he has been doing real estate for about a year. One of his most rewarding moments so far, he said, was helping a 65-year-old buy her first home after 45 years of renting.
“We are all so proud of you,” Mayor Linda T. Johnson said at the ribbon-cutting. “This is just a wonderful beginning.”
Johnson, also a real estate agent, said she looks forward to seeing Epps honored at local awards banquets.
Toward the front of the first floor, a new location of Highlands Residential Mortgage has opened with twin sisters Amy Tucker and Ann Langston at the helm.
“We believe historic downtown Suffolk is the place to be,” Tucker said, noting the population growth and median household income in the city are outpacing other Hampton Roads localities. “We think this is the next big growth area in Hampton Roads.”
Tucker said Highlands is big enough to offer competitive pricing but small enough to offer customer service. Langston has been in the mortgage business for more than a decade.
“I can’t tell you how excited I am for you,” Johnson told Langston and Tucker just before their ribbon-cutting. She said the company will help many homeowners obtain mortgages and, for those who aren’t quite ready to buy, “you can teach them and lead them and show them how to get there.”
Nahra said the building has about 80 potential spaces for lease, but that will vary depending on how much space each business takes. With seven floors and a mezzanine, it has about 28,000 square feet, 25,000 of which is available for rent.
Each floor is approaching about 80 percent complete, he said, with the exception of the mezzanine, which is already complete.
