Five-tier residential conversion plan for Old Town moves to Planning Commission for review

In the heart of Old Town, the commercial real estate market is currently facing challenges. Amidst this, a significant development is on the horizon as the office building at 601 Wythe Street is set to transform into a mixed-use property, with a focus on residential units.

The company spearheading this conversion is ACME Development. According to city records, the American Water Federation, a previous owner of the property, purchased a two-building office complex at 601 Wythe Street back in 1985. Now, the Federation is proposing to convert the five-story commercial complex into a mixed-use property.

The proposal will be presented to the Alexandria Planning Commission on October 9. The site plan, prepared by the Falls Church-based architect Lee Design Studio, does not include any additions to the existing five-story, 34,160-square-foot structures. Instead, the plan outlines a reconfiguration of the spaces.

Floors two through five of the building are slated to be dedicated to residential units. The on-site parking facilities, a valuable amenity in the bustling Old Town, will remain unchanged. The parking includes an underground 54-space parking garage and parking on the lobby level of the property.

Interestingly, another 1980s office-to-residential conversion in Old Town, less than a mile away from 601 Wythe Street, has recently started leasing apartments. This development could signal a growing trend in the area, as office spaces are repurposed to meet the demand for residential units.

As the Planning Commission considers the proposal, the transformation of 601 Wythe Street promises to bring a new dynamic to Old Town's landscape, offering more housing options in the heart of the city.

Five-tier residential conversion plan for Old Town moves to Planning Commission for review