Lawson is proud to share that Market Heights Apartments are recognized as an Elizabeth River Project River Star Business and The Retreat at Harbor Pointe Apartments achieved Sustained Distinguished Performance in the River Star Business program. The Retreat previously entered the program at Achievement Level in 2020.

“It is a great pleasure to welcome Market Heights Apartments as a River Star Business with Elizabeth River Project!”, said Pam Boatwright, Deputy Director Administration and River Star Businesses Program Manager at Elizabeth River Project. “Our River Restoration Advisory Committee unanimously agreed Market Heights Apartments should enter the program at Commitment Level.”

Market Heights, located in Norfolk’s St. Paul’s District is the first development approved under the City of Norfolk’s new resiliency code mandating measures that apply to flooding, energy efficiency, and building integrity. The site has been raised out of the flood plain and includes permeable parking surfaces and an underground stormwater filtering and management system that minimizes pollution in the neighboring Elizabeth River and helps to prevent flooding at street level. The site now manages 25% more stormwater due to these improvements and removal of impervious concrete from previous development.

The Retreat at Harbor Pointe was first welcomed to the River Star Business program in 2020. Conservation efforts during development of The Retreat included elimination of invasive plants, addition of native salt-tolerant reeds, shoreline stabilization to prevent erosion, creation of oyster habitat, and use of green building techniques. Continued efforts contributing to the Sustained Distinguished Performance designation include river cleanup removing tons of trash and debris from the shoreline and participation in the Elizabeth River Project and Chesapeake Bay Foundation oyster gardening project.

“Our core purpose at Lawson is to positively impact people, which can take a lot of different forms.”, said Lawson Chairman, Steve Lawson. “We’re particularly proud of developments like

this that not only improve people’s lives through quality affordable housing, but through sustainable environmental projects.”

Lawson is pleased to announce the hire of Louie Berbert as Vice President of Construction.

“We’re thrilled to add Louie to the team.”, said Lawson President and CEO, Carl Hardee. “His experience in construction operations and management are an amazing asset to Lawson’s continued growth and success as we break ground on projects in multiple new markets.”

Berbert is a seasoned construction executive bringing more than a decade of experience to the role. He specializes in process optimization focusing on team member safety, building quality, and efficiency. Berbert holds an MBA from Liberty University and serves on the Virginia Board of Housing and Community Development on an appointment by Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin.

Lawson currently owns or manages 29 stabilized multifamily properties in Hampton Roads and Richmond with new communities in development or under construction in Lynchburg, Richmond, Prince William County, and Roanoke, Virginia.

Lawson is proud to share that Lawson Senior Development Manager, Austin Pittman, has been selected by The Virginian-Pilot Inside Business to be celebrated as a 2023 Top Forty Under 40 professional. This is the 25^th year Inside Business has honored professionals under the age of forty who are successful in their careers and involved in the community, making Hampton Roads a better place.

“We are honored that Inside Business has recognized Austin. He is an industry leader in our niche market, and we are extremely appreciative of his contributions to the team.”, said Lawson President and CEO, Carl Hardee. “He is driven by a desire to help people, which is such a huge part of who he is and what aligns him so well with our mission and the values of our company.”

Through his roles at Lawson, Austin has made substantial contributions to the creation of high-quality, affordable homes for well over 1,000 Virginia families, most of them in Hampton Roads.

Lawson’s award-winning riverfront affordable apartment community, The Retreat at Harbor Pointe is pleased to announce their participation in the Elizabeth River Project and Chesapeake Bay Foundation oyster gardening project.

Four oyster cages are secured to the boardwalk adjacent to The Retreat. The baby oysters, called spat, will grow in this location until they are adults. The adult oysters will be planted on sanctuary reefs throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed and then a new batch of spat will be grown in the cages. The program helps to restore the oyster population in the Chesapeake Bay and connected waterways.

According to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, the oyster population is a small fraction of what it used to be due to overharvesting, poor water quality, habitat loss, and disease. A healthy oyster reef creates habitat for over 300 species of plants and animals and a single healthy adult oyster can filter up to two gallons of water per hour making them critical to the health of the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem.

“We’re really excited to be a part of this program.”, said Lawson Director of Marketing, Dan Hankin. “The oyster garden is a great opportunity to make a positive environmental impact and get our residents and team members involved in stewardship of the river.”

The Retreat at Harbor Pointe was recognized as an Elizabeth River Project River Star Business at Achievement Level in 2021. Efforts leading to River Star certification include oyster castles under the boardwalk, elimination of invasive plants, addition of salt-tolerant native reeds and plants, rip-rap to stabilize the shoreline and prevent erosion, and Earthcraft certified energy efficient green buildings.

Lawson is proud to share that Market Heights Apartments in Norfolk, VA have been awarded the Home Builders Association of Virginia Multifamily Project of the Year Award.

The HBAV Housing Excellence Awards recognize leadership, engagement, and dedication to the success of the Home Builders Association, community, and Virginia building industry.

Market Heights is a 164-unit income restricted 100% affordable LIHTC (Low Income Housing Tax Credit) community in Norfolk’s St. Paul’s district serving residents at 40%, 50%, and 60% AMI. Seventeen apartments are handicapped accessible 504 Compliant units and 80 units are of Universal Design. All indoor and outdoor common spaces exceed accessibility standards, creating a truly inclusive community. 

The community features amenities not often associated with affordable housing including a resident community room, secure building access, elevators, fitness center, accessible playground, on-site laundry, bicycle storage, and a dog park with pet washing station. Apartment amenities include granite countertops, in-unit washer/dryer hookups, and modern kitchens with dishwasher in energy efficient Earthcraft certified buildings.

Market Heights is the first property approved under the City of Norfolk’s new resiliency code mandating specific resilient measures applying to flooding, energy efficiency, and building integrity. The site has been raised out of the flood plain and includes a new public sidewalk that improves safety for students walking to the neighboring middle school.

Placing a primary focus on resident health, a $100,000 grant from LISC Hampton Roads powered by Sentara health will fund a food pantry, accessible fitness equipment, and resident telehealth booth for residents. Lawson also partnered with Hope House Foundation and Volunteers of America to provide permanent on-site supportive services for residents with disabilities.

“As a community, we are now beginning to realize that the lack of affordable housing has reached a critical point, and that we have not produced enough housing to keep up with the need.”, said Lawson Chairman, Steve Lawson.  “Affordable communities with supportive services like Market Heights are a critical component of the housing solution, but so much more needs to be done.”

Lawson is proud to share that Lawson Chairman, Steve Lawson has been recognized on the Inside Business Power List 2023 Top 20.

The Inside Business Power List is an annual showcase of decision makers and influencers impacting the Hampton Roads economy. This year’s list organizes the Top 20 by influence and is followed by an additional 60 power players in the region.

Lawson was selected for the Top 20 for his contributions to affordable housing in Hampton Roads and throughout Virginia. Through The Lawson Companies, Lawson oversees a team managing approximately 4,800 apartment units, nearly half of which are affordable communities serving families earning less than 60% of the area median income. The company has nearly 1,200 additional new affordable apartments in their development and construction pipeline.

Lawson is a longtime advocate for equitable, affordable, and supportive housing and has served on the board of the nonprofit HousingForward Virginia and on the Rental Advisory Council of Virginia Housing, the statewide housing finance agency. He has also promoted affordable housing policy via leadership positions with the National Association of Home Builders, provided expert testimony to Congress on multiple occasions, and briefed the last three chairs of the Federal Reserve concerning challenges facing the industry.

“I am so fortunate to be surrounded by great people who understand the vision of top-quality affordable housing that my father set in motion over fifty years ago.”, said Lawson. “I am humbled by the recognition and grateful to our team, without whom we could not do what we do.”

Lawson was previously recognized with the Urban League of Hampton Roads Martin Luther King Community Leader Award in housing in 2023, and a Human Rights Award from the Virginia Beach Human Rights Commission in 2019 for his contributions to affordable and supportive housing.