Why this home stands out
Built in 1920, this five-bedroom home carries the kind of architectural bones that newer construction simply can't replicate — generous room counts, classic proportions, and a century of solid craftsmanship. With three full baths and 2,300 square feet spread across a walkable Kensington block, it's one of the more spacious historic homes you'll find this close to both Naval Medical Center Portsmouth and USCG Base Portsmouth.
KENSINGTON and the Norfolk real estate market
Kensington sits in the heart of midtown Norfolk, one of the city's most established and walkable residential corridors. The streets here are lined with early-twentieth-century homes, mature trees, and a genuine sense of community that newer subdivisions spend years trying to manufacture. If you've been searching through houses for sale in Norfolk VA and wondering where character and convenience actually overlap, Kensington is a strong answer. The neighborhood borders the ODU campus area to the north and connects easily to Colley Avenue's dining and retail strip to the east. Norfolk itself is a city of distinct, tight-knit neighborhoods, and Kensington holds its own as one of the more sought-after pockets — close to everything but quiet enough to feel like a real neighborhood rather than a thoroughfare.
What's nearby
Daily life is genuinely easy from W 36th Street. Groceries are covered in every direction — Food Lion is just 0.3 miles away, The Fresh Market is 0.4 miles for specialty items, and Dollar General is right there for quick runs. When you want to eat out, 37th & Zen is a two-minute walk, and Chicken Salad Chick is equally close. Fitness options are surprisingly dense for a residential block: Club Pilates, StretchLab, and the University Fitness Center are all within 0.3 miles. For fresh air, 38th Street Playground is two blocks away, Munson Park is 0.4 miles, and the Weyanoke Bird and Wildflower Sanctuary offers a quiet natural escape at 0.5 miles.
For different buyers
For military families relocating
Naval Medical Center Portsmouth is roughly a five-minute drive from the front door, and USCG Base Portsmouth is about six minutes out. For active-duty households, that kind of proximity makes BAH stretch further and keeps commutes short — a real advantage when schedules are unpredictable. VA loan eligibility makes a home like this even more accessible for qualifying service members and veterans.
For families upgrading
Five bedrooms gives a growing family genuine flexibility — dedicated guest rooms, home offices, or hobby spaces without anyone doubling up. Three full baths means morning routines don't turn into negotiations. Add in the walkable access to 38th Street Playground and the open green space at Munson Park, and the everyday logistics of family life get a lot simpler.
For buyers drawn to character
A 1920 build in this condition is the kind of property that draws people who've grown tired of identical floor plans and builder-grade finishes. Kensington's historic streetscape gives 1013 W 36th Street real context — you're buying into a neighborhood with a century of stories, not just a house on a lot. The architectural details here are the feature, not an afterthought.
More buyer questions
How far is 1013 W 36th Street from Naval Medical Center Portsmouth?
Naval Medical Center Portsmouth is approximately five minutes by car from this address, making it one of the closer residential options for staff and active-duty personnel assigned there.
How far is 1013 W 36th Street from USCG Base Portsmouth?
USCG Base Portsmouth is about six minutes away by car — a short, straightforward commute that keeps this Kensington address well within range for Coast Guard households.
What is the flood zone status for 1013 W 36th Street?
Flood zone information for this address is displayed in the FloodRisk tile on this page — check there for the most current FEMA designation and any applicable insurance requirements.
Is 1013 W 36th Street in a historic district?
Kensington is one of Norfolk's established early-twentieth-century neighborhoods, and portions of midtown Norfolk carry historic designations — you'll want to confirm the specific overlay status with the City of Norfolk's planning department before undertaking any exterior modifications.
What is the walkability like around W 36th Street in Norfolk?
Walkability is a genuine strength here — groceries, restaurants, fitness studios, and parks are all within half a mile, and the neighborhood's grid layout makes getting around on foot straightforward.
Tom and Dariya Milan at LPT Realty know Kensington well — reach out to get a complete picture of what 1013 W 36th Street looks like for your specific situation.
