A 129,000-square-foot Target is scheduled to open this fall at 201 E. Little Creek Rd. in Norfolk's Ward's Corner neighborhood. That will make it the city's second Target location, and for anyone watching property in that corridor, it's a meaningful development.
What the New Target Norfolk Ward's Corner Announcement Actually Signals
Big retailers don't commit 129,000 square feet to a neighborhood on a whim. Site selection teams spend months analyzing traffic counts, household income data, population density, and growth projections before signing a lease. When Target chooses Ward's Corner, they're telling you what their own research concluded: this area is worth betting on.
Ward's Corner has carried redevelopment plans for years. The Target announcement is the most concrete, privately funded signal yet that those plans have legs. Retailers of this scale attract other retailers. Surrounding parcels become more attractive to developers. That cycle tends to lift property values in the surrounding blocks over time, though the pace and degree vary by market conditions.
According to the National Association of Realtors, proximity to retail amenities is consistently cited as a factor in buyer decision-making, particularly in urban and suburban neighborhoods where walkability and daily-errand convenience matter.
What It Could Mean for Homeowners and Investors Near Ward's Corner
If you own property within a mile or two of Little Creek Road in this stretch of Norfolk, this news is worth tracking. The opening alone won't double your home's value. What it does is shift neighborhood perception, and perception drives buyer demand.
Investors looking at Norfolk have watched Ward's Corner for a while. Prices in and around this area have historically reflected the uncertainty about whether revitalization would actually happen. A Target opening removes some of that uncertainty. If you're a homeowner in this part of Norfolk and you've been curious what your property is worth today, this is a reasonable moment to find out. Find out what your home is worth →
For buyers, the calculation is different. Getting in front of a retail anchor like this, before the surrounding area fully reprices, is how a lot of long-term equity gets built in neighborhoods like this one.
You can find more on what's moving in Norfolk and across Hampton Roads on the Legacy Home Search blog.
What This Means For You
• Target's site selection process is research-heavy. Their commitment to Ward's Corner reflects real data on the area's trajectory, not just optimism.
• Homeowners near Little Creek Rd. in this stretch of Norfolk may see buyer interest increase as the store opens and the neighborhood gains visibility.
• Investors who have been watching Ward's Corner now have a clearer signal that infrastructure investment is following the development plans. Find out what your home is worth →
• Traffic patterns along Little Creek Road will change. If you're buying nearby, factor that into your decision.
Ward's Corner has been waiting a long time for this kind of momentum. A 129,000-square-foot Target opening is the most tangible proof yet that the wait may be ending.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where exactly is the new Target Norfolk Ward's Corner location?
The new Target is located at 201 E. Little Creek Rd. in Norfolk's Ward's Corner neighborhood. It will be Norfolk's second Target, joining the existing store on N. Military Highway.
When does the new Ward's Corner Target open?
Target has indicated a fall opening, but as of now no specific grand opening date has been announced. The retailer is currently hiring for the new location, which suggests the timeline is on track.
Could the new Target opening affect home values near Ward's Corner?
Retail investment of this scale can positively influence buyer interest and neighborhood perception over time, though no outcome is guaranteed. Historically, anchor retailers attract additional commercial development, which tends to support property values in surrounding residential areas.
Related reading
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