Vanguard Landing apartments under construction in Va. Beach

Vanguard Landing, an “intentional community” specifically designed for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, is under construction in Virginia Beach. Developers broke ground on the first phase in April and started construction in earnest in May.

The mixed-use community, which claims to be the first of its kind in Virginia, will eventually have housing for about 185 people and an additional 50 people who will be day participants who live elsewhere but come to the community for programs. The housing will be one-story cottages with multiple bedrooms and one-bedroom townhomes. The community, located at 2016 Princess Anne Road in Virginia Beach, is designed for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, but its housing will be open to anyone.

The first phase, which will cost about $36 million, will take about two years to build, with completion expected in spring 2026. It will have housing for 128 people. Along with the residences, the development’s first phase will include a small gift shop selling repurposed or upcycled household furniture and other household items. Residents will begin moving in once the first phase is complete, according to Debra Bond Dear, founder and executive director of Vanguard Landing.

“Planning and financing, including fundraising, for future phases will begin soon. Although there is no set timeline for the future phases, the plan is to complete the development in a timely manner,” Dear said in a statement.

Once built out, Vanguard Landing will have a special events center, a guest house, a cafe, a bakery, a larger gift shop and a farm stand to sell what is grown in an on-site garden. An education center and a thrift shop are also in the plans, which will be run by or in partnership with Vanguard Landing, giving the community’s residents employment opportunities.

The community will also have its own vans to provide transportation to residents. Vanguard Landing will accept both private pay and a combination of private pay and Medicaid waivers.

“This groundbreaking represents years of hard work and an unwavering commitment to support families who have loved ones with developmental disabilities,” Dear said in a statement. “It’s so exciting to see the vision of Vanguard Landing becoming a reality. We are so grateful to everyone who has supported this project. It’s truly taken a community of people who care deeply for those with developmental disabilities.”

John Reed of Berkadia Richmond and John Richards with Berkadia Norfolk secured $31.85 million in construction/permanent financing through the Virginia Housing Development Authority on behalf of the nonprofit developer. The deal closed on April 29.