Standing as a staple in Newport News, Virginia, the historic Whittaker Memorial Hospital was founded in 1908 to fulfill the need for Black hospitals in the area. Following its closure, the building was abandoned until 2017, when Whittaker Development (with owners Junior Burr, John Biagas, Eugene Thomas, and Franklin Bowser) took a closer look at the inspiring story behind the forgotten hospital’s walls.
Whittaker Development partnered with Timmons Group and local Newport News residents to transform the former Whittaker Memorial Hospital into a revitalized apartment community. The new apartments serve the needs of Newport News residents while preserving the historic and architectural integrity of the original building.
Prior to Whittaker Memorial Hospital’s founding, the only medical care available to the Black residents of Newport News was the city jail clinic. The hospital began in a rented building consisting of four rooms until 1915 when the foundation was laid for Newport News’ first Black hospital and nurse training school. The nurse training school graduated 112 nurses before its closure in 1932. Although the wooden framed building accommodated 50 patients and attracted many physicians to the area, it did not meet accreditation standards despite improving the health status of the Black community.
To achieve accreditation and meet the needs of the growing patient population, a new fireproof brick building with the ability to hold 53 beds and 20 bassinets was built in 1943. Designed by prominent Black architects from Hampton University, the new building was a unique addition to Newport News. The architects used sandstone brick for the construction, setting it apart from the more traditional red brick buildings in the area.
The new Whittaker Memorial Hospital was dedicated in November 1943 and earned full accreditation from the American College of Surgeons in December 1944. The number of patients admitted to Whittaker Memorial Hospital annually increased from 1,744 in 1944 to 3,496 in 1957. To keep up with the increasing demand for service, the hospital expanded to 166 beds due to two later additions in 1957 and 1966 before closing its doors in 1985.
Completed in 2019, Whittaker Place Apartments features 67 studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom units for residents earning below 50-60% of the Area Median Income (AMI). To preserve the historical integrity of the hospital, the large corridors, high ceilings, and the original ceramic wall tiles have been retained, resulting in each unit having a unique character and providing a glimpse into the building’s rich past.
“Breathing new life into a structure with such a storied path, while challenging, is so rewarding. Walking through the building before construction and after the ribbon cutting ceremony, I’m convinced that everyone involved can be proud of the positive impact this development is having on the families now living within its walls,” Andrew Campbell, a senior project manager on our Richmond residential land development team, said.
In 2020, Whittaker Place Apartments received a Best Residential/Hospitality Project Award from ENR MidAtlantic, an Excellence in Construction (EIC) Allegiance Award and Honor Award for Residential Multi-Family from ABC Virginia, a Merit Award for Best Renovated or Historic Rehabilitation Project from HRACRE, and a Virginia Governor’s Housing Conference Award for Best Housing Preservation/Revitalization Effort.
Timmons Group provided civil engineering and survey services for the revitalization of Whittaker Place Apartments. This project serves as a testament to the importance of historic preservation and urban renewal. The revitalized apartment community can once more serve the residents of Newport News while still honoring the local history. Timmons Group was proud to collaborate with Whittaker Development and the Newport News community in the restoration of this significant historic structure.
