Norfolk Tug Company, a leader in the water transportation industry in Hampton Roads and the Chesapeake Bay, chose to adapt a late-1800s pickle plant in Norfolk’s Berkley neighborhood as its new office and headquarters. Affectionately known as “The Pickle” by Norfolk Tug employees, the warehouse features large bays of windows with views of the water and tug fleet, exposed brick walls and piers, and heavy timber trusses.
The renovation was designed to preserve and highlight the building’s original character. The open-office layout includes perimeter offices framed by a custom steel and glass partition system, allowing natural light to reach the interior spaces. Salvaged flooring from the original pickle plant was repurposed as thresholds and sill plates for the partitions. A hot water loop radiant floor system was installed to efficiently heat the large space, keeping warmth close to occupants for comfort and energy savings. A high-volume, low-speed fan helps de-stratify the air, pushing conditioned air downward for better circulation.
Interior finishes complement the building’s warm material palette and reflect the nautical nature of the business. Materials and furnishings include a painted marine-grade plywood floor, porcelain tile, high-bay LED lighting, a modular benching system, custom-fabricated desks, carpet, quartz countertops, and roll-up solar shades to control heat gain. Custom steel partition elements were modeled in SolidWorks, and the steel was fabricated directly from the digital model. A specialized process was developed to hand-patinate and seal the steel in place. The project was recognized with a Merit Award for Interiors by AIA Hampton Roads.
Project challenges included navigating the abatement process and environmental approvals, as the building is located on the water and within a flood zone.
