DATE: Thursday, August 28, 1997             TAG: 9708280484
SECTION: BUSINESS                PAGE: D2   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY BILL REED, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH                    LENGTH:   48 lines

THE TAF GROUP DEDICATES NEW OFFICE

The TAF Group, a design and development firm whose Lynnhaven area office was destroyed by a fire July 3, made its temporary home official Wednesday and said it will rebuild.

During an evening ceremony attended by Gov. George F. Allen, the company dedicated its current office on 19th Street, across from the Virginia Beach Pavilion.

The Pavilion is one of many nearby projects that the firm has designed, including the Tidewater Veterans Memorial and the Contemporary Art Center of Virginia.

Its portfolio also includes the Harrison Opera House, Norfolk Southern Tower, Scope and Chrysler Hall in Norfolk; and Ocean Lakes High School and Five Columbus Center in Virginia Beach.

Allen praised the moxie of the architectural firm, which had resumed operations six days after it was burned out of its headquarters.

``They've shown a can-do spirit, Allen said, before snipping a ribbon symbolizing the opening of TAF Group's offices at 1081 19th St., six blocks from the Oceanfront.

Oliver P. Farinholt, company president and an Allen supporter, said the ceremony was held to thank his employees for their resilience. It also was a way of expressing appreciation for support from the community and even competitors who helped The TAF Group back on its feet, he said.

Farinholt added that within 60 days the company will announce plans to build a 30,000- to 40,000-square-foot headquarters at an undisclosed location.

The company has added several new employees and been awarded three major contracts, including design and construction of a Navy Exchange at Patuxent River Naval Air Station in Maryland and design of a 360 Communications headquarters in Richmond.

The TAF Group is a multi-purpose architectural, engineering and construction company that employs about 130 people. It was formed gradually from 1994 through 1996 by the mergers of four well-known South Hampton Roads firms. They included the Talbot Group; Walsh-Ashe and Associates; Forterra Construction Co. and Williams-Tazewell Associates.

TAF now stands for Tazewell, Ashe and Forterra.

A fire forced the firm's move early last month from just north of the Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway near North Lynnhaven Road, and investigators have ruled that the blaze was arson. No charges have been made in the case, which remains under investigation.

The company has teamed with Virginia Beach Crime Solvers to offer a total reward of $25,000 for information leading to an arrest.

Send Suggestions or Comments to webmaster@scholar.lib.vt.edu