KTGY Named Architect of Record For 150-Unit Affordable Senior Housing Community in Fairfax County, Virginia

September 22, 2021

Inspired to meet the housing needs of senior citizens, The Lodge at Autumn Willow, developed by The Michaels Organization, will provide amenity-rich living for residents ages 62 and up

FAIRFAX, Va. – Sept. 22, 2021 – KTGY, a leading full-service architecture, branding, interior and planning firm focused on residential, retail, hospitality and mixed-use developments, today announced it has been named architect of record for The Lodge at Autumn Willow, an affordable, age-targeted community in Fairfax County, Va. Designed for The Michaels Organization, a national leader in residential real estate and the largest private-sector owner of affordable housing in the country, the $48 million, 150-unit two-story project will be an amenity-rich community aimed at serving income-restricted, active seniors. With Fairfax County home prices increasing 3% from the previous year and average rents up 6%, The Lodge at Autumn Willow will create much-needed affordable housing options for local seniors experiencing income challenges with market-rate housing.

“The Lodge at Autumn Willow reflects KTGY’s commitment to sustainably designed affordable housing developments that nod to the richness and beauty of the adjacent community and delivers on unmet housing needs,” said Ben Kasdan, principal at KTGY. “KTGY leveraged its diverse expertise across myriad residential product types and planning capabilities to design a community that activates visual connection to the outdoors and deepens affordability for residents while offering them a private, serene place to live and play.”

Nestled in a forested neighborhood near I-66 and SR-29, The Lodge at Autumn Willow sits in a conveniently located area with a nearby shopping center. The master plan encompasses more than 20 acres and will include primarily one-bedroom apartment homes ranging from 696 to 1,163 square feet, along with a community center and direct access to nature trails and a nearby creek. Designed to support the unmet needs and living preferences of the active senior community, residents at The Lodge at Autumn Willow will also benefit from the robust supportive and connective programs, services and amenities Fairfax County offers.

The community’s modern design is inspired by the area’s natural wooded setting and will be surrounded by a public park, pedestrian trails and the Little Rocky Run streambed. Additional community benefits include:

  • Outdoor spaces, including a serenity studio, reading cove, firepit and recreation area
  • Onsite walkways that connect to Fairfax County Park Authority Trails
  • 15 compliant units for the Americans with Disabilities Act
  • Earthcraft Certification for “green” design

“Affordable housing is already growing in demand, and for our 55+ community, there are too few options available in the area,” said John J. O’Donnell, Chief Executive Officer of The Michaels Organization. “We are proud to play an important role in creating affordable housing options that enable our seniors to continue to live and enjoy Fairfax County without concerns of the high cost of living.”

Financing for the development includes both 4 percent and 9 percent Low Income Housing Tax Credits allocated by The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development.

KTGY is leading the conceptual design, schematic design and construction documentation for the affordable senior housing project, which has an expected completion of Q4 2023. Project partners for the Lodge at Autumn Willow include: Michaels Construction, contractor; Gordon, civil engineering; Virginia Housing, Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority and Fairfax County Housing and Community Development.

KTGY’s 55+ studio is constantly innovating with new designs and amenities that reflect the lifestyles and demands of seniors. Over the past 30 years, KTGY has designed more than 125 senior communities nationwide including Canvas Valley Forge in King of Prussia, Pa.

About KTGY
Founded in 1991, KTGY is a leading full-service architecture, branding, interior and planning firm focused on residential, hospitality and mixed-use developments and neighborhood revitalization. We envision a future where residential and hospitality design inform one another to deliver spaces that merge design and desire. ​KTGY’s architects, designers and planners combine big picture opportunities, leading-edge sustainable practices and impeccable design standards to create memorable destinations of enduring value. Visit www.ktgy.com.

About The Michaels Organization: The Michaels Organization is a national leader in residential real estate offering full-service capabilities in development, property management, construction, and finance. Serving 145,000 residents in more than 425 communities in 35 states, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands, Michaels is committed to crafting housing solutions that jumpstart education, civic engagement and neighborhood prosperity and to creating Communities That Lift Lives. www.TMO.com