CityHouse Old Town Office-to-Residential Conversion

Alexandria, VA

In the heart of Old Town Alexandria, Cooper Carry and American Real Estate Partners (AREP) transformed a dated 1980s office building into CityHouse Old Town, a 199-home luxury apartment community. The office-to-residential conversion preserves the property's historic brick character while introducing a six-story open-air atrium and resort-style amenities. With 106 distinct floor plans, the project offers a compelling model for how underutilized commercial buildings can be reimagined as vibrant, walkable housing in high-demand urban markets.

Project Team

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Steve Smith

Leadership

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Heidi Leinbach

Leadership

project scope

200,000 SF
200 Units

design services

Architecture

Studios

Adaptive Reuse, Multifamily Residential

CLient

AREP and Silverpeak Real Estate Partners

Awards

2026 Gold Nugget Award, Award of Merit, Best Renovated, Restored, or Adaptive Re-Use Residential Project

In The News

From Concept to Concrete: How to Execute Office-to-Residential Adaptive Reuse in Northern Virginia

Transforming an Underutilized Office Building into Luxury Multifamily Housing

Cooper Carry transformed a former office-and-retail building into CityHouse Old Town, a 199-home luxury apartment community through an office-to-residential conversion in the heart of Old Town Alexandria, Virginia. Developed by American Real Estate Partners (AREP), the adaptive reuse project demonstrates how thoughtful design can unlock new residential opportunities while preserving the architectural character of a well-known King Street address.

Located at 1101 King Street within Alexandria’s historic district, the project carefully balances preservation, performance, and livability. Much of the building’s original brick exterior was maintained while new residential windows, updated storefronts, lighting, awnings, terrace railings, and privacy screens refreshed the building with a warmer residential character.

Designing for Adaptive Reuse

Before design began, Cooper Carry led an extensive due diligence process evaluating zoning, building code, structural systems, acoustics, parking, sustainability and historic district requirements. These studies informed every aspect of the office-to-residential conversion, from façade improvements and residential layouts to outdoor amenities and the reconfiguration of former parking areas.

One of the project’s defining design features is the transformation of the building’s internal atrium into a six-story open-air courtyard. Once an inward-facing commercial space, the atrium now serves as the heart of the residential community, with landscaped gathering areas, lounge seating, a fire feature, and outdoor spaces that bring natural light into the building’s center.

Creating a One-of-a-Kind Residential Experience

Rather than treating the existing structure as a constraint, Cooper Carry embraced its unique floorplates to create 199 residences across 106 distinct floor plans. The community includes studios and one-, two-, and three-bedroom homes ranging from approximately 500 to 1,559 square feet, as well as larger residences with dens designed for hybrid work and expansive private terraces overlooking Old Town Alexandria, the Potomac River, and Washington, D.C.

Residents enjoy concierge services, coworking spaces, a private club suite, a rooftop social terrace, a fitness center, dog grooming facilities, and convenient access to the King Street Metro Station, restaurants, shops, and Alexandria’s waterfront.

Preserving Character While Meeting Today's Housing Needs

CityHouse Old Town is part of Cooper Carry’s expanding portfolio of office-to-residential conversions in the Washington, D.C. area. By integrating adaptive reuse, historic rehabilitation, and innovative residential design, this project demonstrates how existing buildings can be transformed into vibrant housing that preserves architectural character, enhances walkable urban neighborhoods, and extends the lifespan of valuable commercial properties. CityHouse Old Town showcases Cooper Carry’s expertise in delivering sustainable office-to-residential conversions that create long-term value for residents, property owners, and the surrounding community.