US Post Office and Courthouse
Also known as: Walter E. Hoffman U.S. Courthouse; Vhlc 122-58
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Why it's listed
Rising four stories on Granby Street in Norfolk, this federal building was constructed between 1932 and 1934 to house the main post office, the U.S. District Court, and government offices that had outgrown the old Federal Building. Benjamin F. Mitchell designed it with the local firm Rudolph, Cooke, and VanLeeuwen. Gray limestone sits above a black granite base, and carved geometric bands, eagles, and fluted Corinthian columns mark the main entrance. Inside, the post office lobby and third-floor courtroom retain marble, cast aluminum, and decorative plaster work. It is described as the only federal Art Deco building in the Tidewater area. Its construction also provided work for Norfolk laborers during the Depression, and it served as the main post office for about 50 years. After the postal service left in 1983, the District Court became the primary occupant, and the building was named for Judge Walter E. Hoffman.
Significance in brief: The nomination presents it as the only federal building in the Art Deco style in the Virginia Tidewater area. It reflects the 1930s trend of monumental federal buildings with classical features, provided Depression-era employment, and has been a local landmark as Norfolk's main post office for about 50 years. It is also noted for its fine materials and craftsmanship.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 84000098, listed October 10, 1984. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 600 Granby St., Norfolk (Independent City) |
|---|---|
| County | Norfolk |
| Listed | October 10, 1984 |
| Reference number | 84000098 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1932-1934 |
| Architect / builder | Benjamin F. Mitchell; firm of Rudolph, Cooke, and Van Leeuwen |
| Architectural style | Art Deco |
| Areas of significance | Politics/Government, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Excellent condition and largely original in appearance. The post office moved out in January 1983, leaving the first and second floors vacant, and the building was being rehabilitated as the Walter E. Hoffman U.S. Courthouse for the U.S. District Court. |
| Acreage | 1.9 |
| Coordinates | 36.85371, -76.28838 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For a publicly owned building or structure, listing mainly matters when federal funds, permits or licences are involved: projects then go through Section 106 review so effects on the property are considered. Listing also strengthens applications for preservation grants and, for leased income-producing uses, can enable the federal rehabilitation tax credit.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 84000098.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7964718
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.