Suffolk News-Herald

Rose & Womble Realty partners cut the ribbon Monday to officially open their new Harbour View/Suffolk Business Center Tuesday afternoon.

Mayor E. Dana Dickens III, the keynote speaker, praised the company for its commitment to Suffolk.

&uot;When we bring people down here to look at the northern corridor we’re going to bring them here because you guys and TowneBank have set the standard,&uot; Dickens said.

Dickens is a leading proponent of smart growth and often finds himself on the opposite side of issues from the shelter industry. He made no effort to ignore the irony of his christening a real estate building.

&uot;I’m not opposed to good, sustainable quality growth,&uot; Dickens said referring to the Rose & Womble building. &uot;Balance is key to growing a prosperous, sustainable city.

Van Rose, one of the managing partners of Rose & Womble, was excited about the opening, calling Suffolk &uot;the center of the whole world.&uot;

&uot;We looked all over Hampton Roads and picked Suffolk on purpose,&uot; Rose said. It’s the center of the whole world right now and we really believe that.&uot;

Rose noted the 16,000 square foot brick building represents a $2.5 million investment. It will house

the company’s New Homes Division and Marketing Department. It is located at 5857 Harbour View Blvd.

Rose & Womble’s Business Center is also home to several affiliated companies providing a full-service real estate and development environment. Firms in residence include Advance Mortgage Company, Advance Title and Abstract, Inc., MacDonald, Plumless & Overton LLP, Dominion Properties Group, LLC, Land Planning Solutions, LC, and Richard T. Esleeck, RE Appraisals.