Board of Architectural Review

Townhouse development pitched on vacant lot, barbershop site in Parker-Gray

Published March 18, 2026 at 2:45PM

Rendering of new development proposed for 724, 726 and 728 N. Patrick Street in the Parker-Gray District (via City of Alexandria)

A proposed conversion of a vacant lot and a one-story barbershop in the Parker-Gray Historic District into five four-story townhomes is headed to city review.

Eric Bernstein and Kirby Holdings are proposing to build the homes at 724, 726 and 728 N. Patrick Street, located at the intersection with Madison Street. The Alexandria Board of Architectural Review will conduct a public hearing on the concept review proposal at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 8, at Charles Houston Recreation Center, which is directly across the street from the site.

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Nonprofit seeks city approval to convert Old Town office headquarters into townhomes

By James Cullum

Published January 6, 2026 at 1:45PM

415 N. Alfred Street (via Google Maps)

After more than 20 years in Old Town’s Parker-Gray Historic District, a nonprofit wants to demolish its headquarters and replace it with five three-story townhomes.

The Society of Defense Financial Management — formerly the American Society of Military Comptrollers — has owned and used the office building at 415 N. Alfred Street since 2004. Now real estate developer PT Blooms is asking the city for permission to tear down the entire structure and build five new townhomes with roof decks and rear-loaded two-vehicle garages.

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Plans to replace the Old Town Pool headed to Board of Architectural Review

By James Cullum

Published December 18, 2025 at 1:45PM

Old Town Pool (via City of Alexandria)

After 40 years in operation, Alexandria has submitted plans to replace the Old Town Pool, bath house and equipment building.

The 144,000-square-foot Old Town Pool site at 1609 Cameron Street was built in 1975 and is “nearing the end of its usability,” according to a presentation that will go before the Board of Architectural Review on Wednesday, Jan. 7.

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Old Town townhome proposal gets lukewarm response from architectural review board

By Katie Taranto

Published November 20, 2025 at 10:45AM

Illustrated changes to townhome design one (via City of Alexandria)

A plan to construct 32 four-story townhomes at the site of two Old Town office buildings is still struggling for the blessing of the Board of Architectural Review.

Members of the review board are requesting more exterior variety and colonial influence in the proposed townhomes, after reviewing new renderings of the project at 333 N. Fairfax Street. The board did not vote on the item during last night’s public hearing (Wednesday).

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BAR holding work session tonight on City Hall and Market Square renovation

By James Cullum

Published October 22, 2025 at 1:45PM

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

The Alexandria Board of Architectural Review (BAR) is conducting a work session tonight (Oct. 22) to discuss the certificate of appropriateness for the City Hall, Market Square, and parking garage renovation project.

The BAR approved demolition plans for the project last week, although it deferred the design approvals. The work session was scheduled after last week’s meeting, and city planners are operating on a tight schedule, hoping to break ground in the second quarter of 2026 with a completion goal of 2028, according to the city.

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Alexandria proposes solar panels for Durant Center roof

By James Cullum

Published October 21, 2025 at 11:45AM

Proposed addition of solar a photovoltaic panels to the roof of the Oswald Durant Center at 1605 Cameron Street in Old Town (via City of Alexandria)

A proposal to add solar and photovoltaic panels to the Oswald Durant Center in Old Town is heading to the Board of Architectural Review next month.

The city’s proposal would replace the roof and add the panels to both the sloped and flat roof portions of the building at 1605 Cameron Street. The Durant Center is used as a recreation and private event facility for the city.

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City Hall renovation plans head to review board

By James Cullum

Published October 14, 2025 at 2:00PM

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.

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Proposal to build 3 townhomes on vacant lot in Old Town heading to BAR

By James Cullum

Published October 1, 2025 at 4:30PM

A proposal to build townhomes at 806 N. Columbus Street in Old Town is heading to Alexandria's Board of Architectural Review, Oct. 16, 2025 (via City of Alexandria)

A proposal to build three four-story townhouses on a vacant lot in Old Town is scheduled to be reviewed by the city’s Board of Architectural Review later this month.

Land use attorney Ken Wire is requesting a concept review from the BAR to develop the townhomes at 806 N. Columbus Street, located near the intersection with Madison Street and two blocks east of N. Patrick Street (Route 1). The proposal is scheduled to head to the BAR on Thursday, October 16.

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Burke & Herbert Bank seeks approval for illuminated signs

By James Cullum

Published September 23, 2025 at 1:45PM

Burke and Herbert Bank at the corner of Fairfax and King Street in Old Town (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

After 120 years at 100 S. Fairfax Street in Old Town, Burke & Herbert Bank wants to illuminate its signs.

In a proposal that’s going to the city’s Board of Architectural Review, the bank wants to install halo-lit signs facing S. Fairfax and King Streets. The signs would be repainted and LED lights installed behind them, shining on the wall and creating a halo effect around the letters.

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Virginia Tech seeks approval for accessibility upgrades at Old Town architecture center

By James Cullum

Published August 11, 2025 at 4:30PM

Virginia Tech's Washington-Alexandria Architecture Center at 1001 Prince Street in Old Town (via City of Alexandria)

Virginia Tech plans to renovate its Washington-Alexandria Architecture Center in Old Town to improve accessibility with a new elevator, sprinkler system, and handicapped-accessible ramp, according to a request going before the Board of Architectural Review on Wednesday, Sept. 3.

The building at 1001 Prince Street was loaned to Virginia Tech by Alexandria in 1980, and the school bought it in 1989, according to city records.

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Old Town office building plans entry, plaza renovations

By James Cullum

Published August 11, 2025 at 3:30PM

Renovations are planned for the rear courtyard and front vestibule (on right) at 100 N. Pitt Street in Old Town (via City of Alexandria)

A quiet off-the-beaten-path area just off King Street in Old Town is getting an upgrade.

Simpson Development Company recently filed plans from Louis Barbieri, Cole & Denny Architects to renovate the entry vestibule at 100 N. Pitt Street and the small, rear plaza adjacent to 115. N. St. Asaph Street in Old Town. The request for alterations and signage will be presented to the city’s Board of Architectural Review on Wednesday, September 3.