Adaptive reuse converts a vacant office building into elegant apartment homes with convenient access to both the Potomac River waterfront and downtown Washington, D.C.
KTGY, an award-winning national design firm focused on architecture, interior design, branded environments, and urban design, along with developers The Pinkard Group and Akridge, has announced the topping off of 1201 E. Abingdon Drive. The development transforms a vacant 1980s office building through adaptive reuse into a 143-unit multifamily community in Alexandria, Virginia.
The project is a case study for office-to-residential conversions; KTGY, The Pinkard Group, and Akridge are turning the 95,000 sq. ft. Class A office building into elegant apartment homes in the popular Old Town North neighborhood. The building offers one-bedroom, and two-bedroom homes, with a portion of the units set aside as dedicated affordable housing. 1201 E. Abingdon Drive reimagines the site, bringing a refreshed aesthetic, needed housing, and new life to this part of the city.
Working closely with the City of Alexandria’s planning board, the team refined the design to convert the existing penthouse into residential units and amenity spaces. Additionally, the design creates a new wing, resulting in a U-shaped configuration with an urban courtyard.
A convex curving southern facade softens the building’s presence, while a series of recesses and step backs allow the new architecture to thoughtfully blend in with the neighborhood’s historic Georgian townhouses. Residents have access to a range of indoor and outdoor amenities. The rooftop deck features grilling stations, fire pits, and an outdoor living room, while indoor spaces include a clubroom, library, fitness center, coworking space, and pet spa.
1201 E. Abingdon Drive sits in Old Town North, just east of the George Washington Memorial Parkway and near the Potomac River Waterfront. The location offers residents walking-distance access to the shops, dining, and historic streets of Old Town Alexandria.
“Bridging the past with an evolving present, 1201 E. Abingdon Drive represents a meaningful step toward expanding access to high-quality housing in the heart of Alexandria’s Old Town North,” said Ben Kasdan, Principal at KTGY. “We look forward to seeing the project completed and welcoming first residents.”
| Address: | 1201 E. Abingdon Drive, Alexandria, VA 22314 |
| Developers: | The Pinkard Group, Akridge |
| Architecture: | KTGY |
| Site Area: | 1.55 ac |
| Number of Units: | 143 |
| Unit Plan Sizes: | 555 – 1,250 sq. ft. |
| Unit Mix: | 7 Jr one-bedroom, 100 one-bedroom, 29 two-bedroom |
| Density: | 87.8 du/ac |
| Amenities: | Rooftop deck with grilling stations, fire pits, and outdoor living room; clubroom; library; fitness center; coworking space; pet spa |
| Stories: | 6 (plus one level below grade) |
| Construction Type: | IA |
| Expected Completion | Summer 2027 |
About KTGY
Design lives at KTGY. Founded in 1991, KTGY is an award-winning firm of architects, designers and planners that realize new possibilities through inspired design. Everything we do, from architecture and interior design to branded environments and urban design is based on a people-centric storytelling and design process that creates memorable experiences nationwide. Guided by our mission to bring innovative design to all people and places, we partner with our clients to envision spaces that make a positive impact on people and their communities. Visit www.ktgy.com.
About The Pinkard Group
Founded in 2010, The Pinkard Group is a regional real estate investment and development company focused on acquisition, development, repositioning, and asset management in the Washington, DC MSA. The firm’s principals have operated through multiple market cycles and developed and acquired more than five million square feet of multifamily, mixed-use, office, and industrial assets across a 30-property portfolio. The Pinkard Group’s track record includes The Kingsley, a 175-unit multifamily community in Old Town North Alexandria, which set a record sales price and cap rate for the City of Alexandria at the time of disposition. For more information, please visit www.pinkardgroup.com.
About Akridge
Akridge serves every aspect of the real estate business through high-quality investments, development, and operations. Guided by a leadership team with decades of industry experience, Akridge real estate professionals apply an owner’s perspective in order to build long-term value and success. They provide investments, development, property management, design and construction management, leasing, finance and asset management, and owner’s representation. With offices in Washington, DC and Charlotte, NC, Akridge continues to anticipate the needs of the industry and its clients by delivering exceptional real estate experiences. For more information on Akridge, please visit www.akridge.com.
