After securing an endorsement at the Board of Architectural Review last month, the plan to turn 701 N. Henry Street into a 94 unit residential complex is headed to the Planning Commission tomorrow (Thursday).
The project will replace Alexandria Lighting and Supply with 94 unit residential building, 87 of which would be market-rate housing and 7 committed as affordable units.
The proposed building will have a 2,600 square foot area on the ground floor currently used as a lobby, but set aside for potential conversion to retail if other nearby developments move forward — similar to how another nearby proposed development scaled back its ground-floor retail offerings.
Development attorney Cathy Puskar said at the Board of Architectural Review that the developer decided “it’s not really a good spot” for retail, but that if a post office caddy-corner to the development is eventually redeveloped, the lobby space could be converted to retail.
A staff report on the project recommended approval of the development.
“This area is recommended to encourage development of mixed-use buildings between Patrick and Henry streets to improve pedestrian accessibility and activity along these high traffic corridors,” staff said in a report. “The proposed development is consistent with the goals and guidelines set forth in the Braddock Metro Neighborhood Plan.”
Several nearby developments are going through the approval pipeline and will add hundreds of new residential units to Braddock and North Old Town, including:
- 1200 N. Henry Street
- 801 N. Fairfax Street
- 635 Slaters Lane
- West Street near the Braddock Metro Station
Photo via City of Alexandria
