A Sense of Place

A forgotten brownfield. A bold vision. A community transformed. A Sense of Place tells the inspiring story of how one man reimagined 153 acres of contaminated industrial land in Newport News, Virginia—and built a thriving mixed-use neighborhood in its place. Developer Bobby Freeman was driven by a singular idea: to create a walkable, art-filled community rooted in history, shaped by culture, and designed for connection. Inspired by the public squares of London, Dublin, and Edinburgh, Freeman infused Port Warwick with sculpture, music, literature, gathering spaces, and a unified architectural language that has withstood the test of time. This richly visual, narrative-driven book documents the risks, decisions, and creative forces behind the community’s evolution—from the first site walk through the forest to the arrival of Pulitzer Prize–winner William Styron as an unexpected collaborator. Inside, readers will discover: How a forgotten industrial wasteland became an award-winning community What it took to build a neighborhood with lasting character The role of art and design in placemaking Behind-the-scenes stories of tremendous risk, resistance, and renewal A blueprint for rethinking how we shape the places where we choose to live A Sense of Place is essential reading for planners, developers, designers, and anyone who believes great communities can be built with intention.