development | ALXnow

Developer needs extension to build apartments for the elderly and an office tower in Carlyle

Published March 13, 2025 at 9:00AM

The John Carlyle Center Health and Wellness, two-tower multi-unit residential buildings for the elderly and office building at 1900 Eisenhower Avenue and 765-789 John Carlyle Street (via 765johncarlyle.com)

Amidst a number of recent proposals for new apartment buildings in Alexandria’s Carlyle neighborhood, the developer of a previously approved large senior living project on Eisenhower Avenue is asking the city for a three-year extension for its construction.

On May 6, Carlyle Plaza LLC is asking the Planning Commission for a three year extension of its previously approved special use permit (SUP) for construction of The John Carlyle Center Health and Wellness, a 225-unit residential building for the elderly and office building at 1900 Eisenhower Avenue and 765-789 John Carlyle Street.

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Plan to convert Old Towne Motel property into luxury condos heading to Planning Commission

By James Cullum

Published March 12, 2025 at 12:58PM

The proposed conceptual design of The Whitley Phase 2, 802-808 N. Washington Street in Old Town North (via City of Alexandria)

A plan to convert a former motel on N. Washington Street into a multifamily building and a townhouse is heading to the Planning Commission early next month.

Maryland-based PT Blooms is asking the city to approve plans to redevelop the property at 802 and 808 N. Washington Street into The Whitley — Phase 2, a 48-unit building with one-to-three bedroom condos. That’s the former Old Towne Motel property, which has been closed for years.

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Alexandria wants loosened zoning regulations for the City Hall renovation project

By James Cullum

Published March 12, 2025 at 11:15AM

A proposed option for the renovation of Alexandria City Hall and Market Square (via City of Alexandria)

Alexandria’s City Hall and Market Square (301 King Street) are on track for renovation, and the city government wants to loosen zoning restrictions around the project.

At its public hearing on Saturday (March 15), the City Council will discuss a round of changes to Alexandria’s zoning ordinance that would “increase regulatory flexibility” for the City Hall renovation project, according to a staff memo.

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31-story tower with up to 775 apartments proposed in Alexandria’s Carlyle neighborhood

By James Cullum

Published March 10, 2025 at 11:30AM

Concept for a 31-story apartment building at 2425 Mill Road in Alexandria's Carlyle neighborhood (via Red Fox Development Co.)

A proposed 31-story tower in Alexandria’s Carlyle neighborhood could become the tallest at-grade building in the city, according to a new report from the Washington Business Journal.

Aldie-based Red Fox Development Co. wants to build a 700,000-square-foot, 350-foot-tall residential-over-retail building at 2425 Mill Road.

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Virginia Tech Innovation Campus celebrates grand opening in Potomac Yard neighborhood

By Vernon Miles

Published February 28, 2025 at 1:30PM | Updated March 1, 2025 at 3:05AM

Alexandria's elected leaders at the ribbon cutting for the Virginia Tech Innovation Campus in Potomac Yard, Feb. 28, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

After years of planning and construction, Alexandria’s Virginia Tech Innovation Campus in Potomac Yard celebrated a grand opening today (Friday).

The Virginia Tech campus broke ground in 2021 and opened to students in January. A three-building campus is planned, with the first building coming online being an 11-story, 300,000-square-foot academic building that visitors toured today as part of the grand opening.

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Plans for Robinson Terminal North headed to City Council review this spring

By Vernon Miles

Published February 26, 2025 at 2:30PM

Plans for Robinson Terminal North (via City of Alexandria)

Plans for Robinson Terminal North — the last major piece of waterfront development in Old Town — should be heading to the City Council for review this spring.

Vice Mayor Sarah Bagley said at the City Council meeting last night (Tuesday) the Waterfront Commission received an update about the project earlier this month at a meeting.

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Short-term rentals, Duke Street plans and more at the top of Alexandria’s planning agenda

By Vernon Miles

Published February 12, 2025 at 3:55PM

Traffic backup heading eastbound along Duke Street (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Hidden behind the relatively boring title “Long-Range Planning Interdepartmental Work Program” is a peek at some of the biggest planning efforts in Alexandria over the next year.

The program spells out some of the biggest priorities for the various city departments for FY 2026-27. For the Department of Planning and Zoning, one of the top items on that list is possible regulations for Alexandria’s short-term residential rental market — i.e. Airbnb and other home-sharing apps.

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Mixed-use building in Old Town sells for $38 million

By Vernon Miles

Published February 10, 2025 at 2:00PM

421 King Street (image via Google Maps)

A large mixed-use building in Old Town was sold last week for $38.85 million, Washington Business Journal first reported.

The sale is of Tavern Square, a building consisting of 421 King, 123 N Pitt, and 110 and 132 N Royal Streets, which occupies a full city block in Old Town Alexandria. The 171,738-square-foot property contains a mix of retail and office uses. The release notes the building was renovated back in 2019 to add a fitness center, a new conference center and more.

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Six homes on new cul-de-sac proposed for Seminary Hill

By Vernon Miles

Published February 4, 2025 at 3:55PM

Clarens Estates proposal (image via City of Alexandria)

A fairly quiet corner of Seminary Hill off Quaker Lane could become a new cluster of homes built around a new cul-de-sac.

A proposal for a new cluster of homes at 1 and 2 N. Clarens Street, called Clarens Estates, is scheduled for review at the Planning Commission meeting tonight (Tuesday).

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Apartments proposed above Chase Bank and Sunglass Hut at King and Washington Streets in Old Town

By James Cullum

Published January 30, 2025 at 3:30PM

Second floor conversion plan from commercial to residential for the second floor of 628 King Street in Old Town (via City of Alexandria)

The owner of an iconic commercial building in the heart of Old Town wants to convert the second floor from commercial to residential space.

The special use permit (SUP) request is going before the Alexandria Planning Commission on Tuesday, Feb. 4. Building owner Jemals 628 Newco LLC wants to convert the 6,700-square-foot second floor of the building at 628 and 622 King Street into five studio and six one-bedroom apartments.

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Luxury condos proposed for former Olde Town Motel property

By James Cullum

Published January 9, 2025 at 3:50PM

The proposed conceptual design of The Whitley Phase 2, 802-808 N. Washington Street in Old Town North (via City of Alexandria)

After years in development, plans for a luxury condominium project in Old Town North are heading to the Alexandria Board of Architectural Review.

The BAR will look over the concept review for the proposed The Whitley – Phase 2, a six-story residential development project at 802-808 N. Washington Street on Wednesday, Jan. 15.