Former Office Building Is Reinterpreted as a Mixed-use Residential High-rise

Elevating Amenities

Significant square footage of the building is allocated to amenities, a win-win byproduct of the too-large footprint depth challenge. In addition to housing stairs, electrical rooms and elevators, the central core of the building is also where amenities live, including a three-level gym, featuring cardio, weight-lifting and a yoga studio; a two-level bar; a makerspace; and a lounge room for neighborly hangouts.

Dual rooftop entertaining spaces deliver impressive views of the nearby Masonic Temple and historic Old Town Alexandria. Featuring lush landscaping, intimate seating arrangements, a partially covered terrace and outdoor grills, the first rooftop is an ideal setting for open-air gatherings. The southwest-facing, 14th-floor, second rooftop is akin to a retreat, where residents can take a dip in the heated pool and relax on chaise lounges while enjoying an outdoor environment anchored by a diverse array of plant species.

The southwest-facing, 14th-floor, second rooftop is akin to a retreat, where residents can take a dip in the heated pool and relax on chaise lounges while enjoying an outdoor environment anchored by a diverse array of plant species. PHOTO: Judy Davis, Architectural Photographer

At the base level, Cooper Carry made room for expansive retail space. Spanning 25,000 square feet, the retail portion of the building is designed to fit a range of uses, from local eateries and fitness studios to a daycare center and retail shops as a welcome resource for residents and locals alike.

Improving the Pedestrian Experience

Although the viability of the building for an office-to-residential conversion was an important consideration for the development team, the location and liveliness of the surrounding neighborhood were key factors in determining The Foundry’s potential for success.

Located in Alexandria’s vibrant East Eisenhower District, a neighborhood well regarded as an urban hotspot for unique shopping and dining destinations, The Foundry is about a block away from the Eisenhower Metro Station. This relative walkability and transit-adjacency made the building ripe for redevelopment. The building is also close to the forthcoming Carlyle’s Crossing mixed-use development, which will be anchored by Alexandria’s first Wegmans grocery store. To root the revitalized tower within its environment and enhance the pedestrian experience, Cooper Carry implemented a variety of upgrades at the street-level to foster a strong urban connection.

Working together with the city government, Cooper Carry rescaled the street, enlarging sidewalks and downsizing the roadway to better engage pedestrian activity and allow residents to explore the neighborhood on foot more easily. The redesign also involved the inclusion of parallel park- ing for a more city-leaning setting. In addition, one entrance to the building serves as a direct connection to a covered walkway that leads to the nearby transit station.

Paving the Way for Future Development

The Foundry opened for resident move-ins in Fall 2020, boasting strong momentum on the leasing front as potential dwellers flock to urbanizing alcoves of the city. Demand for housing is not unique to the Washington, D.C., metro region, and office-to-residential conversions bear repeating in other urban cores grappling with an oversupply of demand foiled by an undersupply of inventory.

As additional vacant space comes up for grabs in the coming months and years ahead as the pandemic weeds out a glut of outdated office properties, there’s enormous potential for the adaptive reuse of these buildings. Serving as an example for future community-focused multifamily developments, The Foundry is a blueprint for what can become of a little reimagination.