NORFOLK, Va. (WVEC) -- Governor Terry McAuliffe, Norfolk Mayor Kenny Alexander and other city officials broke ground for IKEA this morning along Northampton Blvd.
The store is expected to be open by Spring 2019.
"It's going to be great putting that shovel in the ground today. Such a fabulous company," McAuliffe said.
Currently, IKEA has 46 stores around the U.S. There is only one other one in Virginia.
The 331,000 square-foot location, which will include a restaurant and kids play area, was originally set to open by Summer 2018.
The opening was pushed back due to unexpected developmental costs.
"It's a little smaller than our typical footprint, but due to the strong partnership we forged with the city, we've been able to bring our optimal size," Angele Robinson-Gaylord, president of IKEA Property USA said.
READ MORE: IKEA Norfolk opening pushed back to 2019
Mayor Alexander expressed positive feelings toward the new store.
"The investment, the job creation, more importantly, the revenues that will be generated here will allow us, team Norfolk, to continue to invest in education, neighborhoods, as well as workforce development," Alexander said.
IKEA is expected to bring 500 construction jobs and about 250 retail jobs to the area.