A Neighborhood Shaped by Virginia Beach's Growth
Pembroke's story is inseparable from the broader transformation of Virginia Beach itself. When Virginia Beach City and Princess Anne County merged in 1963 to form one of the largest cities by land area in the United States, the stage was set for rapid suburban expansion across the region. Pembroke emerged as a central beneficiary of that growth, developing through the 1960s and 1970s as the city began pushing its commercial and residential footprint inland from the oceanfront.
The neighborhood takes its name from the historic Pembroke area of Princess Anne County, a designation rooted in the colonial-era land grants that once defined this part of coastal Virginia. As Virginia Beach matured into a genuine year-round city rather than a seasonal resort town, Pembroke evolved into one of its most recognizable interior hubs. The development of Pembroke Mall and the surrounding commercial corridor along Virginia Beach Boulevard anchored the area as a true civic and retail center, drawing residents and businesses alike.
Today, that legacy of mid-century suburban planning gives Pembroke a well-established, rooted character. The mix of older ranch-style homes, updated townhouses, and apartment communities reflects decades of layered growth. Whether you're exploring homes for sale in Pembroke, VA or considering houses for rent in Pembroke, Virginia Beach, you'll find a neighborhood whose history has produced genuine urban convenience with a distinctly residential feel.