Why this home stands out
What sets this address apart is the rare combination of pre-war architectural bones and an unbeatable proximity to two major installations. Built in 1935, the home carries the craftsmanship details that newer construction simply doesn't replicate — think solid structure, distinct room definition, and a neighborhood streetscape that still feels like a real community. At three minutes from the gate, few addresses in Hampton Roads can match that commute.
PRENTIS PARK and the Portsmouth real estate market
Prentis Park is one of Portsmouth's most established residential pockets — a walkable, grid-street neighborhood where the homes have history and the neighbors tend to stay. The area developed in the early twentieth century alongside the shipyard workforce, and that legacy shows in the well-rooted street trees, the mix of bungalows and two-story colonials, and a genuine sense of place you don't find in newer subdivisions. Portsmouth itself sits at the heart of Hampton Roads, connected to Norfolk by the Elizabeth River and to the broader region by I-264 and the Downtown Tunnel. It's a city with real texture — waterfront parks, a revitalized Olde Towne district, and a working waterfront that gives the whole place an honest, unhurried character. For anyone weighing where to plant roots in coastal Virginia, the Prentis Park neighborhood in Portsmouth delivers walkability, history, and access in a package that's genuinely hard to replicate elsewhere in the region.
What's nearby
Daily life is easy from Des Moines Ave. Jem's 'Take A Plate,' Ziggy's Street Eats, and Cuzzoz Kitchen are all within two-tenths of a mile — a walkable dinner rotation right outside your door. Lansing Park is equally close for morning walks or an afternoon outside. Groceries are covered by BP, Dollar General, and Church Food Mart, all under a mile away. Mariner's Reef Cafe is your nearest sit-down coffee option at 0.7 miles, and fitness is well-served by Callaghan Gym and Fitness Center, Brikhouse Boxing and Fitness, and the Effingham Street Family YMCA within a mile.
For different buyers
For military families relocating
If you or your spouse is stationed at Norfolk Naval Shipyard or USCG Base Portsmouth, the math here is simple — three minutes to the gate means more time at home and less time in traffic. A VA loan makes ownership at this address straightforward, and the Prentis Park neighborhood has housed military families for generations. Stability, community, and a commute that's genuinely hard to beat.
For buyers drawn to character
Homes built in 1935 don't come with the shortcuts of modern construction — they come with plaster-thick walls, real wood trim, and floor plans that feel intentional. If you're drawn to houses with a story, 2316 Des Moines Ave delivers that in a neighborhood where the architectural character is still intact on nearly every block. This is the kind of address that rewards buyers who appreciate what older homes were built to do.
More buyer questions
How far is 2316 Des Moines Ave from Norfolk Naval Shipyard?
The address sits approximately three minutes from the Norfolk Naval Shipyard gate, making it one of the closest residential options to the installation in the entire Portsmouth market.
What is Prentis Park like as a neighborhood?
Prentis Park is a historic, walkable neighborhood in Portsmouth with early-twentieth-century homes, mature street trees, and a tight-knit community feel. It's one of the more established residential areas in the city, with a grid street layout and easy access to parks, local restaurants, and downtown Portsmouth.
Is 2316 Des Moines Ave in a flood zone?
Flood zone designation for this address is displayed in the FloodRisk tile on this page — check there for the most current FEMA map data specific to this parcel.
How far is 2316 Des Moines Ave from USCG Base Portsmouth?
USCG Base Portsmouth is also approximately three minutes away, making this address equally convenient for Coast Guard personnel assigned to that installation.
What year was 2316 Des Moines Ave built and what style is it?
The home was built in 1935, placing it firmly in the pre-war residential tradition common to Prentis Park — a period known for solid construction, defined room layouts, and architectural details that distinguish these homes from later-era builds.
Want to know more about 2316 Des Moines Ave or the Prentis Park neighborhood? Tom and Dariya Milan at LPT Realty are ready to walk you through every detail — reach out today.
