Tall & Urban News

The Chesapeake City Council has approved a conditional use permit for the construction of a 685-foot (209-meter) manufacturing tower for LS Greenlink, officially called the Project Genesis Vertical Continuous Vulcanizer Tower.  At this height it would become the tallest building in the city and potentially the state of Virginia. The buidling will surpass the Westin Virginia Beach Town Center & Residences, which stands at 508 feet (155 meters). The new facility, located along the Elizabeth River near Saint Julian’s Creek Annex, will produce subsea power cables for the offshore wind industry.

The project, presented by Christopher Abel of LS Greenlink, highlighted that the height is essential for efficient cable production, using gravity to optimize quality control as materials are processed from the structure's top to the base. The completed cables will be stored in carousels by the water and then shipped globally. The development is expected to create 330 high-paying jobs with an investment of USD$680 million. Construction is anticipated to be finished by 2028.

The project has involved coordination with stakeholders, including the U.S. Navy, the Federal Aviation Administration, and Norfolk-Southern. Chesapeake’s City Manager, Christopher Price, noted that the Navy’s concerns, such as the review of site plans, are being addressed.

Doug Smith, CEO of the Hampton Roads Alliance, stated that this development positions Hampton Roads as a hub for the U.S. offshore wind industry by expanding its manufacturing and supply chain capabilities.

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