On Saturday (April 18), Alexandria City Council approved an office-to-residential conversion that will bring 32 four-story townhomes to Old Town.
Without discussion, City Council unanimously approved the Planning Commission’s recommendation to tear down the Essex Building — an office building at 333 N. Fairfax Street built in the 1970s — and replace it with townhomes. A parking garage and lot will also be demolished. Plans for the 1.4-acre site from EYA and Simpson Development reveal four-story homes with two-car garages and roof decks just a few blocks from King Street and the Potomac River waterfront.
The groundbreaking at the site is expected in spring 2027, and home sales could start in fall 2027, according to a release from EYA and Simpson Development.
“In partnership with Simpson Development and through a highly collaborative process with the City, we’ve advanced a plan that is responsive to the historic context while thoughtfully aligned with current market demand,” Jack Lester, EYA’s executive vice president of acquisition and development, said in the release.
Don Simpson, Jr., president of Simpson Development Co. said that the development shows the evolution of the neighborhood.
“Our partnership with EYA created a clear path to transform this site from an underutilized office property into a residential community that better reflects how this neighborhood is evolving,” Simpson said.
According to the city:
The development will include 32 three story townhouses, mid block pedestrian pathways, and private drives. Each townhouse will be three stories with a fourth floor setback from the street facing façade, creating a rooftop terrace for each unit. Each unit will feature a garage accessed by a private drive. The townhouse development is divided into four different architectural types, based upon the existing adjacent architecture.
The Type 1 townhouses will face Queen Street and will be red brick with projecting bays and punched windows. The Type 2 townhouses will face N Fairfax Street and will be grey brick with ganged windows. Type 3 townhouses will face into the interior courtyards and will be a combination of stone and brick with metal railings at the second floor. The Type 4 townhouses will face N Lee Street and are the most contemporary in design.
