Multi-use apartment building proposed in 1970s-era office in Old Town North

A makeover has been proposed for a 53-year-old office building in Old Town North.

The owners of the former home of the Alexandria Community Services Board at 720 North St. Asaph Street want the building converted into a 12-unit multifamily apartment building with ground floor commercial space.

The owners, Joseph “Teddy” Kim and Phil Kang want to convert the three-story, 31,515-square foot commercial office building into 12 two-bedroom residential units with ground floor commercial space.

“With the proposed conversion of the existing 31,515-square foot commercial office building, the building will contain approximately 19,610 square feet of residential floor area at a 1.25 FAR (floor area ratio), with 5,889 square feet, or a 0.38 FAR, of existing commercial use to remain,” according to the special use permit application. “In summary, the proposed requests will facilitate the adaptive re-use of an aging office building to a multifamily residential building that will enhance the existing site and bring quality residential units to an active and vibrant neighborhood.”

The value of the property has gone down since it was bought for $5.8 million in 2005. It was last assessed at $5.2 million in January — $1.8 million for the land and $3.4 million for the building, according to land use records.

The proposal will go to the Planning Commission on Dec. 5.

Image via Google Maps