City officials and housing leaders celebrated the start of construction Wednesday (June 18) on a $160 million affordable housing project in Old Town.
The groundbreaking ceremony for The Heritage at Old Town – Block 4, located at 431 S. Columbus Street, marks the beginning of a 27-month construction period to replace affordable housing that was demolished nearly two years ago. The displaced families won’t be able to move back until late 2027, completing a four-year displacement from their Old Town community.
“Today is not just about breaking ground, it’s about building futures,” said Jair Lynch, president and CEO of Jair Lynch Real Estate Partners, which is developing the project. “Block 4 is the cornerstone of a larger vision for a connected, inclusive community in Old Town Alexandria.”
Long Wait for Families to Come Home
The original apartments, built in 1976-77, housed families qualifying for the federal Housing Assistance Program before being demolished in September 2023. While officials have not disclosed the current location of the 140 displaced families, they will have priority for apartments in the new development when it opens in 2027.
Mayor Alyia Gaskins called the project “the gateway to our city” and praised its inclusive vision.
“How amazing is it that we get to have a project that represents our values of being welcoming or being inclusive and of being a place that contributes to the vibrancy and quality of life in our community,” Gaskins said.
The new development will house significantly more people than the original complex, with 598 total apartments planned across three phases compared to the smaller 1970s-era buildings that were demolished.
Major Construction Project in Historic District
Block 4 will rise 5-8 stories at 505 S Alfred Street, delivering 310 apartments, including 210 market-rate units and 100 affordable units. The $160 million price tag translates to approximately $267,000 per unit across the entire project.
The 27-month construction timeline will bring extended disruption to the neighborhood, though project officials have committed to securing the construction site with locked fencing and 24/7 monitoring. Construction hours are scheduled from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, with exterior work on Saturdays beginning after 9 a.m.
Unlike the original complex, the new development will feature high-end amenities including rooftop terraces, a courtyard pool, a clubhouse, a fitness center, and underground parking. Block 4 alone will include more than 14,000 square feet of amenity space.
Located within a broader 1.7-acre site at 505 S Alfred Street, Block 4 will deliver 310 premier apartment homes- 210 market-rate units and 100 affordable units- within a thoughtfully designed multi-storied building with underground parking and a curated amenity package.
Block 4 Features Include:
- 5-8-story design with high-quality finishes and amenities, including a pool, rooftop terrace, clubroom, fitness center, and below-grade parking
- Proximity to Wilkes Street Park West
- Resident programming focused on employment, health, and community enrichment
Financing and Future Phases
The project secured major financing, including a loan commitment of over $100 million from Freddie Mac and a $21 million Low-Income Housing Tax Credit equity investment from a Truist affiliate.
Two additional phases will follow, with Block 1 adding 288 apartments and Block 2 completing the development. The project will also create a new public space through improvements to Wilkes Street Park.
The 140 returning families will have their apartments spread throughout the development rather than concentrated in one area, along with 10 additional units for Housing Choice Voucher Program participants.
Years of Planning Behind Schedule
The redevelopment has spanned multiple years since Jair Lynch purchased the development rights in December 2021. City approvals came in 2021 and 2022, but permitting delays pushed back the original construction timeline.
Wednesday’s ceremony featured federal, state, and local housing officials, including representatives from Virginia Housing, the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority, and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Project updates are available at www.heritageredevelopmentinfo.com.
