News

City Hall renovation plans head to review board

By James Cullum
A rendering of the proposed City Hall and Market Square renovation (via City of Alexandria)

With construction expected to start next year, plans to demolish and encapsulate City Hall are heading to the city’s Board of Architectural Review.

Development plans call for City Hall (301 King Street) to be gutted and for the demolition of the Market Square plaza and the underground two-level parking garage. The BAR will review the plans on Thursday (Oct. 16). If approved by City Council at a yet-to-be-scheduled meeting, the project will break ground in the second quarter of 2026 with a completion goal of 2028, according to the city.

City Hall was built in 1871 after the original City Hall burned down. Many additions were made to the building and Market Square over the next century, notably in 1961, 1967, and 1981.

The city government is relocating to temporary and permanent spaces during the renovation. City Council chambers will move to the Del Pepper Community Resource Center (4850 Mark Center Drive), and the mayor, City Council, city manager’s office, and the Department of Planning and Zoning will relocate to Tavern Square at 421 King Street.

The architect for the renovation project is Leo A. Daly.

Proposed aerial view of the City Hall and Market Square renovation (via City of Alexandria)

The city’s proposed scope of work includes the following:

Demolition

  • Existing fifth-floor structures, including stair tower and mechanical enclosures, will be removed.
  • An area of the existing roof will be removed for the installation of a proposed fifth floor and roof deck.
  • The smoke stack will be demolished.
  • The central section of the 1961 building will be demolished, including the façade and a portion of the roof.
  • The loggias on the 1961 building will be demolished and partially rebuilt.
  • The east and west ends of the 1961 elevation will be removed for the installation of the proposed hyphens.
  • The existing chimneys will be demolished.
  • The Market Square will be demolished in its entirety.

Restoration

  • Masonry to be re-pointed and damaged bricks to be replaced to match historic mortar and bricks.
  • Damaged sills to be repaired or replaced as necessary to match existing.
  • Slate roof to be removed and replaced to match existing. Slate tiles to be salvaged wherever possible.
  • Slate roof at west tower to be replaced with slate to match the original pattern.
  • Sections of metal cornice to be replaced to match original configuration.
  • Wood repairs at clock tower as required. Paint analysis will be undertaken to determine original colors.
  • Windows to be replaced with wood windows in pattern and profiles to match original windows. Replacement windows will use vacuum insulated glazing to simulate single glazing. The Board will have an opportunity to review a sample of this product during the Certificate of Appropriateness review.
  • Existing metal brick ties and pattress plates to be cleaned, repaired, and repainted.
  • Stone and bronze plaques to be restored or replaced.
  • Original door openings may be restored.

Alterations

  • Fifth floor addition
  • New central portion of 1961 addition with additional entry pavilion and modified roof.
  • New ground floor loggias.
  • Glazed hyphens at the east and west ends of the 1961 addition.
  • A new Market Square to include site walls, paving, an elevator enclosure, shade structures, and exterior stairs and ramps.

About the Author

  • Reporter James Cullum has spent nearly 20 years covering Northern Virginia. He began working with ALXnow in 2020, and has covered every story under the sun for the publication, from investigative stories to features and photo galleries. His work includes coverage of national and international situations, as well as from the White House, Capitol, Pentagon, Supreme Court and State Department. He's covered protests and riots throughout the U.S. (including the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol), in addition to earthquake-ridden Haiti, Western Sahara in North Africa and war-torn South Sudan. He has photographed presidents and other world leaders, celebrities and famous musicians, and excels under pressure.