News

Developer cancels rooftop deck in Old Town office-to-residential conversion

By James Cullum
720 N. Fairfax Street in Old Town North (via Google Maps)

Plans for a roof deck in an Old Town office-to-apartment conversion project need to be canceled, according to paperwork recently filed with the city.

The building’s owner wants to convert the 1970s-era office building at 720 N. St. Asaph Street into a 12-unit multifamily apartment building with ground-level commercial space. Previous plans also called for a roof deck, which the current building would not be able to support, according to a special use permit amendment application.

“During subsequent building structural evaluation, it was discovered that the main roof cannot structurally support the open space,” owner Jim Bognet and 710 GP Partners LLC wrote. “Therefore, the Applicant requests this minor site plan amendment to remove the rooftop open space and provide open space on the balconies and at-grade open space.”

The building is the former home of the Alexandria Community Services Board.

The last day for public comments on the proposal is Thursday, May 21.

Photo via Google Maps.

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.