Why this home stands out
Houses this old rarely survive with their bones intact, let alone their soul. At 715 Colonial Avenue, the 1888 construction date isn't a caveat — it's the whole point. You get generous room proportions, period architectural detail, and a footprint (3,759 sq ft, five bedrooms, three and a half baths) that newer construction in this price band simply cannot replicate. The Ghent-adjacent address puts you within a short walk of The Hague and some of Norfolk's best independent dining.
GHENT and the Norfolk real estate market
Colonial Avenue sits in the heart of the Ghent neighborhood, one of Norfolk's oldest and most architecturally celebrated corridors. The street itself reads like an open-air museum of late-Victorian and early-Edwardian residential design — wide lots, mature canopy trees, and front porches that actually get used. Ghent has long been the neighborhood that people who care about walkability and urban texture choose over newer suburbs, and Colonial Avenue is its backbone. Norfolk as a city rewards residents who want a genuine urban experience without sacrificing neighborhood scale: independent restaurants, a thriving arts scene, waterfront parks, and a downtown that has reinvested heavily in the last decade. Families comparing homes for sale in 23507 will find that this zip code consistently draws buyers who want character, convenience, and proximity to the water — all three in one address.
What's nearby
Step outside and the neighborhood handles most of your daily errands on foot. Harris Teeter is half a mile away for a full grocery run, and TASTE is just 0.8 miles out when you want something more curated. Press 626 Wine Bar is essentially next door — zero point zero miles — making impromptu evenings easy. The Retreat Cafe and Grand Grounds are both 0.2 miles away for morning coffee, with EspressOasis as a second option at the same distance. Raleigh Park, Raleigh Avenue Playground, and The Hague Bulkhead are all within a tenth of a mile, giving you green space and waterfront access almost immediately. The Blocker Norfolk Family YMCA is 0.6 miles out for structured fitness.
For different buyers
For military families relocating
Naval Medical Center Portsmouth is a two-minute drive, and USCG Base Portsmouth is three minutes out — commute friction is essentially zero. VA loan eligibility pairs well with a home of this size and vintage, and the five-bedroom layout handles PCS moves, visiting family, and the inevitable home-office setup without anyone feeling crowded. If you're weighing Norfolk homes for sale near the medical center, this block is hard to beat for access.
For buyers drawn to character
If the words 'built in 1888' make you lean forward rather than step back, 715 Colonial Avenue is the address you've been waiting for. Original Victorian-era scale — tall ceilings, wide rooms, a street presence that photographs can't fully capture — combined with a neighborhood that genuinely prizes its architectural heritage. Buyers comparing homes for sale in Norfolk for historic character will find few blocks that deliver this combination of authenticity and walkable urban life.
More buyer questions
How far is 715 Colonial AVE from Naval Medical Center Portsmouth?
The drive is approximately two minutes — roughly 0.6 miles via the Downtown Tunnel or the nearby bridge routes. It's one of the shortest base commutes available from a Ghent address.
What is the square footage and layout of 715 Colonial AVE?
The home measures 3,759 square feet with five bedrooms and three and a half baths, spread across a Victorian footprint built in 1888. The room proportions reflect the era — generous and well-defined rather than open-plan.
Is 715 Colonial AVE in a flood zone?
Flood zone status for this address is covered in the FloodRisk tile on this page, which pulls current FEMA map data. Review that section for the most accurate and up-to-date designation.
Where can families find out about zoning for this address?
Buyers researching homes for sale zoned for Kings Daughters Hosp. Ep. or homes for sale zoned for W.H. Taylor Elementary School can use the Schools tile on this page, which displays current Norfolk Public Schools zoning directly.
Are there parks and green space within walking distance of 715 Colonial AVE?
Yes — Raleigh Park, Raleigh Avenue Playground, and The Hague Bulkhead are all within a tenth of a mile, giving you waterfront access and open green space on a very short walk.
Ready to walk through 715 Colonial AVE? Tom and Dariya Milan at LPT Realty know this neighborhood well — reach out to schedule your visit.
