Developers Topped Out Alexandria Apartment Conversion

The 143-unit residential project in Old Town North has reached its structural topping out milestone.

Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Remote Work

Developers Topped Out Alexandria Apartment Conversion

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Developers have reached the topping out phase for a new 143-unit apartment conversion project located in Alexandria's Old Town North neighborhood. The site at 1201 E. Abingdon Drive is being transformed from an existing structure into a modern residential space.

Why it matters

This conversion project represents a significant adaptive reuse of a 1980s-era building into residential housing. It adds density to the Old Town North area while incorporating a mix of unit types and dedicated affordable housing units.

The development spans 95,000 square feet across six stories above grade, featuring 160 parking spaces. The unit mix consists of 100 one-bedrooms, 29 two-bedrooms, and seven junior one-bedrooms.

The players

The Pinkard Group

The Pinkard Group is a commercial real estate investment and development firm involved in the Alexandria project.

Akridge

Akridge is a Washington-based real estate services company that is co-developing the Old Town North conversion.

Alexandria City Council

The Alexandria City Council is the governing legislative body that granted the necessary approvals for the apartment conversion in February 2024.

The details

The development team is converting the building by reconfiguring the penthouse into residential and amenity space. A new wing has been added to create a U-shaped configuration centered around a courtyard.

The original building was constructed in the 1980s.
The Alexandria City Council approved the project in February 2024.
Construction reached the topping out milestone in October 2026.
Project completion is expected in summer 2027.

Market Landscape

This project exemplifies the broader industry shift toward office-to-residential conversion as developers look to repurpose aging commercial structures in established urban corridors. The move positions the developers to capitalize on the sustained demand for housing within the Alexandria market.

Future residents will gain access to 143 new units in the Old Town North neighborhood by mid-2027. The inclusion of seven affordable housing units provides housing opportunities for lower-income households in the area.

The takeaway

Adaptive reuse projects like this one are vital for modernizing older urban footprints while simultaneously addressing housing inventory needs. Residents should monitor the upcoming 2027 completion date for potential leasing opportunities in the new community.