VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — The iconic Dome is set to return to Virginia Beach next spring, with the city’s long-anticipated Atlantic Park project scheduled to bring new life to the Oceanfront. Named in homage to its legendary predecessor, the new entertainment venue, simply called The Dome, will occupy the southwest corner of Arctic Avenue and 20th Street and is expected to host around 100 events per year while creating 200 jobs.
Virginia Beach Mayor Bobby Dyer expressed optimism for the project’s potential. “The Dome will quickly become a go-to destination for music, comedy, and special events, all while paying homage to the legacy of the original Dome — a celebrated home for jazz, soul and rock ’n’ roll,” Dyer said in a news release Friday.
Atlantic Park, a $350 million venture, has been steadily progressing, with workers completing a surf lagoon, parking garages, and adjacent facilities. On Tuesday, the Virginia Beach City Council will consider franchise agreements for two outdoor cafes within the Atlantic Park area — Mi Vida and The Grill — which will help define construction and design standards for the development.
The ambitious project features a partnership between the city, Venture Realty Group, and Virginia Beach native Pharrell Williams, who has been instrumental in envisioning the park’s development. Williams’ precise role in booking acts for The Dome remains unclear, though officials noted that the inaugural event will be announced in the coming weeks.
The venue will be operated by Live Nation, with an indoor capacity for 3,500 attendees, matching the scale of Norfolk’s Chrysler Hall. An additional outdoor viewing area, with room for 1,500, will overlook the surrounding Atlantic Park, creating an expansive gathering space. A variety of lounges and a second-story VIP terrace with views of the Oceanfront will offer different vantage points for fans.
VB’s New Surf Park
Wave technology from Spain-based Wavegarden will be installed this fall, and by the end of this year, the surf lagoon structure will be completed, Lawson said. The 2.5-acre surf park eventually will hold 6 million gallons of water, he said.
Construction has begun on Atlantic Park’s “Surf Central” building, which includes cabanas overlooking the lagoon. The building will include 20 rentable units, a private surf club area and a restaurant.
The custom Wavegarden Cove will be run by Beach Street Development and Operations. It will offer more than 20 different wave profiles ranging from 4 to 6 feet for all levels of surfing from beginners to pros. Sessions will last 55 minutes and start on the hour, according to Blake Hess, chief operating officer/partner.
Meanwhile, Virginia Beach and Williams are finalizing plans for another Something in the Water festival, slated for April 26-27 along the Oceanfront, adding to the city’s growing portfolio of attractions.
To fill the new positions, The Dome will hold hiring fairs in early spring, with starting pay beginning at $20 per hour.
The original Dome, first named the Virginia Beach Civic Center and later renamed the Alan B. Shepard Convention Center, was a celebrated local landmark famous for its distinctive geodesic architecture.
This water park is huge! I don’t know if they would ever make a profit.
And I don’t understand the thinking behind all this.
You have an ocean a block away with unlimited waves.
You have amphitheaters/music halls everywhere in Virginia Beach, Hampton and Norfolk!
Who would ever be able to afford a ticket?
Does this mean no more oceanfront concerts? Where on earth will you be abled to park and at how much?
I believe this is a doom project and the tax payers will be on the hook … again!
My future wife and I saw Jethro Tull on the Aqualung tour at the DOME, Spring of 1971.
Great concert and the joint was Rockin’.
I am sure that the the new “dome” will be a let down.
Virginia Beach has long ago been taken over by the developers and money merchants.
Feral Wiĺliams and crew are dragging in something that average tax paying Virginia Beach residents do not approve of.
The charm is gone…
..and the fix is in.
To think, Va Beach used to be a quiet place, kind of like Cape Charles used to be.