Lily Reslink|Marlin Chronicle
Once hosting legends such as Jimi Hendrix, The Rolling Stones, Ray Charles and Louis Armstrong, The Dome was a concrete cradle of sound, a seaside spectacle representative of the area’s music-loving culture. Torn down in the ’90s, The Dome is now being reborn at the heart of a massive new entertainment district in Virginia Beach. As it rises again, locals are asking what this means for the future of music, culture and community in the 757.
Set to open in spring 2025, the new Dome is no ordinary concert hall. It’s a centerpiece of Atlantic Park, a $350 million development that blends entertainment with lifestyle. In addition to the indoor-outdoor venue capable of hosting over 7,000 guests, the project includes a Wavegarden surf park, 300 apartments, a boutique hotel, restaurants, shops and two new parking garages. The Dome’s design leans into flexibility, with massive hangar-style doors that open onto an outdoor lawn, making it suitable for everything from concerts and comedy shows to weddings and corporate events.
The Dome’s rebirth isn’t happening in isolation, it’s part of a larger wave of redevelopment attempting to reshape the 757. From the opening of Rivers Casino in Portsmouth more than a year ago, to the in-progress casino near Norfolk’s Harbor Park, and the proposed transformation of MacArthur Center into a walkable, mixed-use promenade, cities across the region are reimagining how they attract both residents and visitors. These massive projects reflect a broader push to modernize the area’s identity — not just as a beach town or a military hub, but as a full-fledged cultural and entertainment destination. For some, it’s a long-overdue investment in local potential. For others, it’s a sign of gentrification creeping in, raising questions about who gets to benefit from it.
Among local musicians, the buzz is loud, and so is the anticipation. Chesapeake native and metal musician Jordan Requizo first heard about The Dome from a classmate working on the construction crew. His reaction?
“Very excited,” Requizo said. “I thought about how this will bring in a lot more bands to the local scene.” He’s already got his eyes set on upcoming shows, including a performance by metal band Mastodon in May when the venue opens. Other acts following the venue’s opening include Three Dog Night, Melissa Ethridge and Joss Stone, Pat Benetar and Neil Giraldo, and Killswitch Engage.
Requizo, like many other locals, sees the new venue as a double-edged sword.
“The Dome will get more attention because of the bigger artists, which means more people. But places like Elevation 27 and The NorVa still shine when it comes to underground music that people love,” Requizo said.
That tension between excitement and concern is echoed by others. Susan Bradley, a longtime 757 resident, is cautiously optimistic. 
A map of the area surrounding The Dome, including residences and businesses.
McKenna Howenstine|Marlin Chronicle
“My initial reaction was excitement. The variety of activities will draw people of all ages,” Bradley said. However, she raised concerns about cost. “It depends on ticket and concession prices. I stopped going to the amphitheater because it got too expensive.”
For Corbin Slaughter, who lives near the Oceanfront, the project raises concerns about accessibility and identity.
“The season passes are extremely expensive,” Slaughter said. “It’ll attract rich tourists but doesn’t cater to the local community.”
“I would have preferred local bar and restaurant owners expand into The Dome instead of boutique shops,” Slaughter said. “Feels like they’re trying to turn VB into something it’s not.”
Another major concern is traffic and parking – already a challenge near the Oceanfront, especially during summer. Unlike the new Norfolk casino, built next to the Amtrak station with transportation in mind, The Dome is relying on its two new parking garages.
Virginia Wesleyan History professor Sara Sewell, a Wisconsin native, is excited about what the venue brings to the area. She said that growing up, “Wisconsin is not on anybody’s tour schedule.” Still, Sewell questioned the logistics: “have they increased the parking spots enough to make this work?” Sewell said. “My experience is they don’t really have the capacity for parking.”
It’s a concern echoed by Requizo, who said, “many of my friends raised the question on how parking will be since the Virginia Beach Oceanfront has horrible parking.”
Slaughter, who lives near the venue, said, “traffic is always terrible down here in the summer. It’ll probably make it a little worse, but I’m not sure how much worse it can get.”
Other concerns arose around parking and transportation, with some Virginia Beach locals questioning whether it will be safe for people to commute after drinking. Even among those excited for the venue’s arrival, traffic and accessibility remain a sticking point. As thousands are expected to flock to The Dome for concerts and events, the true test may not be who headlines, but how easy it is to find a place to park.
For some residents, the changes surrounding The Dome reflect concern about the direction Virginia Beach is heading. While Atlantic Park is poised to attract tourism and boost the city’s economy, it’s prompting questions about authenticity. Oceanfront residents like Slaughter worry that the development’s upscale aesthetic might wash away the city’s distinct local character.
“People go to beach towns for the local feel, not some first-class resort,” Slaughter said. “Feels very out of touch with the local community.”
That sense of displacement, cultural and economic, is something many locals are already bracing for. With luxury apartments, boutique shops and high-end dining set to surround The Dome, there’s fear that the area could become less accessible to the people who call it home.
Requizo sees the new venue as a space with potential for connection but also competition.
“Even with a brand new venue, it opens a door for me and others to meet musicians,” Requizo said. “That kind of connection matters.” Still, he hopes the focus won’t shift too far from the community that supported the music scene long before The Dome’s return.
As the grand opening nears, The Dome stands as both a tribute to the past and a symbol of the future. Whether it becomes a hub for community and creativity or a sleek enclave for out-of-town visitors, one thing is certain: more music is coming and with it, a new chapter in Virginia Beach’s story.
By Brennan Black
btblack@vwu.edu