development | ALXnow

Activists allege developer-city collusion in Torpedo Factory plans, but city says it’s more complicated

Published January 19, 2022 at 1:30PM

The Torpedo Factory Art Center in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

A group of activists pushing back against city plans to overhaul the Torpedo Factory Art Center have accused city leaders of working with developers to astroturf a pro-overhaul faction, but city leaders said the goal wasn’t to mislead.

A Change.org petition with 7,694 signers at time of writing has become an online hub for those opposing the city’s plans to reduce artist studio space in the Torpedo Factory and replace it with alternative arts spaces (like glassblowing) or restaurant space. A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request made public by the petition organizers highlighted city emails with and about the “Torpedo Factory for All” initiative spearheaded by developer Route 66 Ventures — one of the developers pushing to lead the overhaul.

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Rebuilding Together DC-Alexandria awarded $1.6 million federal grant to reduce health hazards

By James Cullum

Published January 14, 2022 at 10:45AM

Via Rebuilding Together DC-Alexandria/Facebook

Rebuilding Together DC Alexandria has been chosen to receive a $1.6 million grant to reduce housing related hazards to 120 homes in the city.

RTA is one of three nonprofits in Virginia to get the multi-year funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s $104.7 million package. There were 60 similar organizations that were awarded revitalization funds.

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Alexandria staff and developer butt heads over architectural design of Carlyle neighborhood

By Vernon Miles

Published January 14, 2022 at 9:55AM

Proposed development at 765 John Carlyle Street and 1900 Eisenhower Avenue, image via Perkins Eastman

A towering project that will bookend Eisenhower Avenue is going through some design changes as it heads through the city’s approval process, but the changes are facing objections from City staff.

The changes are scheduled for review at the Carlyle Design Review Board on Thursday, Jan. 20. Developer Carlyle Plaza LLC has proposed several architectural changes for the project, two connected towers at 765 John Carlyle Street and 1900 Eisenhower Avenue, but staff said virtually all of these changes are a downgrade from what was approved in November.

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Redevelopment plans announced for Community and Human Services office in Del Ray

By Vernon Miles

Published January 12, 2022 at 3:00PM | Updated January 12, 2022 at 3:49PM

2525 Mount Vernon Avenue (via Google Maps)

Redevelopment plans are finally moving forward for an office building in Del Ray, the Washington Business Journal first reported.

Bonaventure Realty purchased 2525 Mount Vernon Avenue, which currently houses the Alexandria Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS). DCHS will be moving to the West End in 2023.

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Landmark-adjacent development deferred over affordable housing and other concerns

By Vernon Miles

Published December 23, 2021 at 2:15PM

Landmark Overlook would transform the corner of South Wilkes Street and Stephenson Avenue into a mixed use property with hotels or office buildings, two-level stacked condominium units, apartments and retail. (Image via City of Alexandria)

A development near Landmark Mall was deferred at the applicant’s request after the project was hammered by City Council for its lack of affordable housing and design issues.

Things had been looking positive for West End Associates LLC’s Landmark Overlook project — spread across 5901, 5951, and 5999 Stevenson Avenue and 2 South Whiting Street — as it headed into the City Council on Saturday. The project was approved by the Planning Commission and city staff.

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With recent purchase, Douglas Development now owns buildings on three of the four corners of King and Washington Streets in Old Town

By James Cullum

Published December 21, 2021 at 3:30PM | Updated January 5, 2022 at 1:46PM

Banana Republic at 628 King Street and Gap Outlet at 622 King Street closed Jan. 24, 2021 (staff photo by James Cullum)

(Updated at 1:45 p.m. on Jan. 5) The new owner of 628 King Street is shopping the property around, and wants it to remain two retail spaces.

Douglas Development now owns three of the four buildings at the intersection of King and Washington Streets. The D.C.-based commercial real estate firm owns the adjacent properties at 700 (Lululemon) and 701 King Street (the now-closed Le Pain Quotidien), as well as 610 King Street (Anthropologie), 614 King Street (H&M) and 615 King Street (the former Walgreens) and 700 King Street.

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Bethesda-based real estate company buys apartment complex near Landmark redevelopment

By Vernon Miles

Published December 21, 2021 at 9:45AM

The Mark Apartments (courtesy of Washington Property Company)

The Mark Apartments at 100 S. Reynolds Street near the Landmark area is under new ownership.

Washington Property Company (WPC) announced its acquisition of The Mark, a 227-unit apartment tower in the West End, last Friday. The company bought the tower for $52.7 million.

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ALXnow’s top stories this week in Alexandria

By Vernon Miles

Published November 19, 2021 at 3:45PM | Updated November 19, 2021 at 9:09PM

(Left to right) Alexandria Vice Mayor-elect Amy Jackson, Mayor Justin Wilson, Stonebridge Principal Douglas M. Firstenberg and Inova Alexandria Hospital President Dr. Rina Bansal at the groundbreaking for Inova Oakville at Potomac Yard, Nov. 15, 2021. (staff photo by James Cullum)

This week was a mix of big plans for the future in Alexandria and concerns about public feedback on city projects.

The top story this week was on Sunday, when a driver struck and killed local resident Roy Saravia Alvarez. The driver, Fredy Ortiz-Dominguez of Hyattsville, Maryland, was arrested last night and charged with involuntary manslaughter.

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Morning Notes

By Vernon Miles

Published November 18, 2021 at 5:00AM

Old Town Books to open ‘Juniors’ pop-up shop — “Old Town Books is opening a winter pop-up shop called Old Town Books Juniors this month.” [Alexandria Living Magazine]

Public invited to help lay wreaths at Alexandria National Cemetery Dec. 18 — “On Saturday, Dec. 18 — the same day as the wreath-laying at Arlington National Cemetery — there is another gathering planned for Alexandria National Cemetery.” [Zebra]

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Multi-use development at 1300 King Street could be finished by late 2022, says developer

By James Cullum

Published November 17, 2021 at 2:15PM

1300 King Street could reopen by November 2022, according to developer Holladay Corp. (staff photo by James Cullum)

The four-story, three part development at 1300 King Street could be finished by this time next year, according to a partner in the joint venture.

The former homes to Pines of Florence and Aftertime Comics at 1300 and 1304 King Street (at the corner of S. Payne Street) are now shells of their former selves. The buildings were erected in the early 19th century and are in the process of being restored by developers The Holladay Corporation and The Foundry Companies.

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‘Too Old Town’ residential development in Parker-Gray neighborhood returns to BAR review

By Vernon Miles

Published November 10, 2021 at 9:45AM

805 Columbus Street development, photo via PT Blooms Development

The PT Blooms LLC development at 805 Columbus Street is returning to the Board of Architectural Review for a certificate of appropriateness after having its hand slapped earlier this year for being too Old Towny.

The proposed development — designed by the Penney Design Group — is a five-story building with 78 residential units built on what is currently a vacant lot in the heart of the Braddock/Parker-Gray neighborhood. While the building would tower over some of the nearby two-story homes, the application notes that it’s tapered at the upper levels of the building to shift the height away from the street. Even so, several pending five-story developments for the area indicate that this sort of building could be the norm in the area within a few years.