Old Town North

‘No turn on red’ restrictions approved for Old Town traffic signals

Published October 28, 2026 at 3:45PM

Red light (via Julian Gentile/Unsplash)

“No turn on red” restrictions are coming to all traffic signals in greater Old Town after a vote by the Alexandria Traffic and Parking Board Monday (Oct. 26).

On a motion by member Dane Lauritzen, the board voted 5-1 to approve “no turn on red” restrictions between First Street to the north, the city limits to the south, the Potomac River to the east and railroad tracks to the west. There are about 100 signalized intersections within the project area, and about half already have red light turn restrictions.

News

Developer seeks to start Old Town North’s Montgomery Center construction in 2028

By Emily Leayman

Published October 27, 2026 at 9:15AM | Updated October 27, 2026 at 7:35PM

The Montgomery Center at 300 Montgomery Street, which will be developed into a residential project (via Google Maps)

Carr Properties has taken over the redevelopment plans for the Montgomery Center in Old Town North as construction plans move forward.

The developer announced it acquired 300 Montgomery Street from MC Property, LLC. According to Bisnow, Oliver Carr Jr.’s CarrAmerica sold the property to his son Oliver Carr III’s Carr Properties.

News

‘No turn on red’ restrictions proposed for Old Town signalized intersections

By Emily Leayman

Published October 26, 2026 at 2:45PM | Updated October 26, 2026 at 3:09PM

Fall colors along King Street near the George Washington Masonic National Memorial (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

The ability to turn right on a red light could be eliminated entirely in Old Town.

The Alexandria Traffic and Parking Board will vote Monday (Oct. 26) on whether to install “no turn on red” signage at all signalized intersections in the Old Town, Old Town North and Braddock/Parker-Gray neighborhoods. The changes would apply to traffic signals between First Street to the north, city limits to the south, the Potomac River to the east and railroad tracks to the west. There are about 100 signalized intersections within the project area.

Around Town

‘Thriller’ flash mob, Spooky Mad Science Expo take over Alexandria this weekend

By Emily Leayman

Published October 16, 2026 at 9:15AM

Three pumpkins on a wall at Halloween on Lee Street in Old Town, Oct. 31, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Halloween festivities are starting to ramp up in Alexandria as October continues on.

This weekend, the “Thriller” Zombie Flash Mob descends upon Old Town, retailers will host the new Sticker Treat sticker crawl, and the Spooky Mad Science Expo returns for an 11th year at Patrick Henry Recreation Center. The Ethiopian Fall Festival has also been rescheduled for this weekend.

News

Potomac Yard’s 0% vacancy rate reveals missed opportunity, officials say

By Emily Leayman

Published October 15, 2026 at 1:45PM | Updated October 15, 2026 at 2:36PM

Virginia Tech in the background of the Potomac Yard Shopping Center (staff photo by Emily Leayman)

Even as Alexandria’s office vacancies improve, city officials learned about a missed opportunity with Potomac Yard’s 0% vacancy rate.

During City Council’s Tuesday (Oct. 13) legislative meeting, Alexandria Economic Development Partnership staff briefed officials on economic progress since City Council in January approved ALX Forward, a framework for the city’s economic future.

News

Nazia Millwala named Alexandria Restaurant Partners president as group shifts leadership roles

By James Cullum

Published October 13, 2026 at 1:45PM

Nazia Millwala has been named the new president of Alexandria Restaurant Partners (via Cultivate Hospitality)

After nearly five years in executive leadership with Alexandria Restaurant Partners, Nazia Millwala has been named the company’s president.

Millwala’s ascension is part of a “planned evolution” for the company as ARP partners Dave Nicholas, David Clapp and Scott Shaw are moving away from day-to-day operations, the company announced. In Alexandria, ARP owns Vola’s Dockside Grill and Hi-Tide Lounge, Joe Theismann’s Restaurant, Ada’s on the River, Barca Pier and Wine Bar, Mia’s Italian Kitchen and Royal Restaurant. The company also owns Palette 22 in Arlington and a Mia’s Italian Kitchen and Café Tu Tu Tango in Orlando, Fla.

News

Waterfront Old Town North office building assessed at nearly $21M sells for $9M

By James Cullum

Published October 8, 2026 at 11:45AM | Updated October 8, 2026 at 12:05PM

Acorp Services has acquired 11 Canal Center Plaza in Old Town North (via Acorp)

Michigan-based Acorp Services recently closed on a 1.3-acre office building in Old Town North, buying a property assessed at nearly $21 million in value for $9.05 million.

The sale of the 1970s-era Class A office building at 11 Canal Center Plaza marks Acorp’s first building acquisition in Northern Virginia.

News

Office conversion to 143-unit apartment project tops out in Old Town North

By Emily Leayman

Published October 5, 2026 at 1:45PM

Topping out at 1201 E. Abingdon Drive in Alexandria (courtesy of KTGY)

In the latest of Alexandria’s office-to-residential conversions, a project in Old Town North is making progress.

A vacant 1980s building at 1201 E. Abingdon Drive is being developed into a 143-unit multifamily residential building. The conversion of the 95,000-square-foot building will provide seven junior one-bedroom, 100 one-bedroom and 29 two-bedroom apartments. The project, approved by City Council in February 2024, will yield seven affordable housing units and 160 parking spaces.

Around Town

Spooky cocktails, ‘brains’ on the menu at Royal Restaurant’s Halloween pop-up

By Emily Leayman

Published October 1, 2026 at 11:45AM

Food and drinks at the Royally Spooked Halloween Pop-up (courtesy of Alexandria Restaurant Partners)

Royal Restaurant has transformed into a horror fan’s paradise in time for Halloween season.

The restaurant at 730 N. St Asaph Street opened Royally Spooked Halloween Pop-up today (Oct. 1) on its patio. The pop-up with themed food and drink specials runs from 3 p.m. to closing.

News

Feds accuse Alexandria-based computer forensics firm leaders of hiding Russian ownership

By James Cullum

Published September 24, 2026 at 1:45PM

The statue of Justice outside the Albert V. Bryan United States Courthouse in Alexandria (staff photo by James Cullum)

The founder and the CEO of an Alexandria-based digital forensics software firm have been arrested after allegedly hiding that the company is owned and controlled by Russian nationals with Russian technology, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

Oxygen Forensics Inc. founder and co-owner Oleg Sergeyevich Davydov, 52, was arrested Sunday [Sept. 20] at London Heathrow Airport before getting on a flight to Istanbul, and CEO Lee Reiber, 55, was arrested in Idaho the same day. Both were charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and the U.S. is trying to extradite Davydov.

News

Alexandria man held without bond after alleged abduction, robbery of girlfriend

By James Cullum

Published September 22, 2026 at 1:45PM

The Franklin P. Backus Courthouse in Old Town, Alexandria (staff photo by James Cullum)

An Alexandria man is being held without bond on charges of abduction, robbery and violating a protective order against a woman he was dating.

The suspect has been held without bond since his arrest on Monday, May 18. On the previous evening, Sunday, May 17, the victim told police the suspect physically assaulted her and stole $1,500, her iPhone and her car, according to a recently unsealed search warrant affidavit.