UDAC Walking Tour, New Sculpture at The Oronoco, MetroStage Fundraiser at Royal Restaurant, Made in ALX Opening Night, & Narman Restaurant Now Open
Urban Design Advisory Committee Old Town North Walking Tour
Map of UDAC Old Town North Walking Tour
On Wednesday, September 13th, City officials led a walking tour of developments in Old Town North. Catherine Miliaras, Daniel Welles, and Michael Swidrak from the Department of Planning and Zoning helped lead the tour along with the members of the Urban Design Advisory Committee for Old Town North (UDAC). A representative from the Office of the Arts was also in attendance. The members of the UDAC are:
Stephen W. Kulinski, A.I.A., Chair - Old Town Business Community Representative
Thomas Soapes, Vice Chair - Old Town North Residential Community Representative
Katherine Bingler - Old Town North Residential Community Representative
Zaira Suarez - Old Town North Business Community Representative
Abbey Oklak- Urban Design, Architecture or Landscape Architecture Representative
The tour attracted a crowd of over 20 people, mainly residents, and provided an opportunity to view some completed projects as well as a few projects which are under construction or soon to be under construction.
At the beginning of the tour, Miliaras mentioned that there is a 1,500 square foot Arts & Cultural tenant space (distinct from an Arts Anchor space) in the 500 Montgomery St. building. Miliaras explained that this space was set aside by the developer in order to obtain a special use permit to make renovations that included the addition of the MacMillan Spirit House patio. The Arts & Cultural tenant space is not yet occupied.
This sparked a discussion about the Arts & Cultural District envisioned in the Old Town North Small Area plan and how this was intended to come to fruition. One attendee asked why so many art spaces are still empty, specifically citing the fact that MetroStage has still not opened in Venue. Abbey Oklak, UDAC representative, explained that when the incentives were created for developers to provide Arts Anchor spaces in their projects with 30 year rent-free leases, it was thought that providing space would be enough to launch the Arts & Cultural District. Oklak said that in the aftermath of the pandemic, the City has learned that providing space is not enough and that the City and AEDP are working on solutions. According to Oklak, this is an evolving process and funding is now being wrapped into some new projects, but Oklak did not know where the funding was coming from. Miliaras added that the City has also included conditions in newer projects that provide that the City and AEDP can step in if an Arts Anchor space is not filled within a certain amount of time.
Another topic of interest to the group was the abandoned Norfolk Southern railroad tracks in Old Town North. Miliaras explained that there are plans to convert the tracks into a linear park, but that this would be a long process because the land belongs to Norfolk Southern and they move very slowly.
Below are some specific details and updates on a few of the developments featured on the tour.
425 Montgomery St. (Carr Properties)
As discussed in a blog post on May 10th, this mixed-use project (formerly known as 901 N. Pitt St.) is planning to have City Dance as its Arts Anchor.
Daniel Welles and Miliaras explained that this project will also include various aspects that will facilitate neighborhood access to Montgomery Park: 1) the wide sidewalks on the Montgomery St. block between N. St. Asaph and N. Pitt St. will continue on the Montgomery St. block between N. Pitt St. and N. Royal St. and 2) a mid-block crossing to Montgomery Park will be added on N. Royal St. Finally, a large open space is planned for the area between the back of the building and the existing adjacent townhomes. This will help maintain a number of the trees on the property and will have a public access easement to help facilitate foot traffic to Montgomery Park.
UDAC representative Thomas Soapes commented that the project was likely at least two years away from completion.
For more information about 425 Montgomery St., visit:
https://www.carrprop.com/properties/425-montgomery-street/
Muse (Carr Companies, now known as Carr America)
As discussed in a blog post on May 17th, the 5,700 square feet of Arts Anchor space at Muse will be occupied by The Art League. Swidrak shared that The Muse space also includes an open air “Art Walk” space between the building housing The Art League’s pop-up gallery and the rest of Muse that is designed to be a spillover space for events hosted by The Art League and also a venue for public art. At present, two sculptures by artist Jeff Chyatte are installed there.
The Art League has begun to occupy the space, but is still trying to raise funds to be able to fully open their new spaces at Muse and on Slaters Lane. As of November 12th, The Art League announced that they must raise $362,000 by December 30th.
For more information about Muse, visit:
For more information about The Art League or to contribute to their fundraising campaign, visit:
https://www.theartleague.org/support/
TideLock (Whitaker Investment Corp. & Community Three)
Welles spoke briefly about the TideLock project, but the majority of the presentation was done by Ryan Whitaker, a developer of the TideLock project and President of the Old Town North Alliance.
TideLock is an office-to-residential conversion that will reuse the existing underground parking. The project will have 169 rental units, 65 condos, 5,000 square feet of arts space, and 2,000 square feet of retail space. The buildings will be nine stories high along N Fairfax St., but this height will step down as you head towards the river. The development will feature a public pedestrian promenade providing public access to TideLock park, public art installations, and a historical interpretive display. TideLock will have an Arts Anchor tenant (to be determined) and a retail tenant (most likely a café or wine bar). The TideLock development is expected to be completed in January/February 2026 and sales of condos will commence early next year.
For more information about TideLock, visit:
https://www.build-tidelock.com/
Perfect Pita
Perfect Pita will be closing temporarily to commence a renovation of its location at 951 N. Fairfax St. The renovation will add a second story to the building and will add more outdoor seating on the ground level.
Venue (Carr Companies, now known as Carr America)
Venue sits at the former location of the Crowne Plaza hotel. The highrise building replaced the hotel, and the hotel parking lot was removed and replaced with townhomes. MetroStage will occupy the Arts Anchor space at Venue, but, like The Art League, MetroStage is still in the process of raising the necessary funds.
For more information about Venue, visit:
https://www.venuealexandria.com/
For more information about MetroStage or to contribute to their fundraising campaign, visit:
https://www.metrostage.org/what-we-do
Robinson Terminal North (Rooney Properties)
This project will encompass two buildings - an East and a West building with over 70 condo units in total. The Robinson Terminal North development will not house an Arts Anchor, but will include extensive public open space along the river that will include features like landscaping, organic play structures, and a waterfront restaurant. In addition, the development will include a brewery/restaurant and a coffee shop.
For more information about the Robinson Terminal North development, visit:
https://rooneypropertiesllc.com/project/robinson-terminal-north
“Arizona Needle” Sculpture Installed at The Oronoco
Entrance to The Oronoco (601 N. Fairfax St.) featuring "Arizona Needle" Sculpture (image courtesy of the Old Town North Alliance)
If you are out and about in the neighborhood this fall, consider strolling by The Oronoco (601 N. Fairfax St.) to view the sculpture installed next to the entrance. The striking bronze sculpture by Tom Faulkner is called “Arizona Needle,” and was selected by the Board of The Oronoco because it fit beautifully at the entrance of the building and paid homage to the history of the building as home to the Sheet Metal Workers Union Pension Fund prior to its renovation into condominiums.
According to the artist’s website, the design of the “Arizona Needle” sculpture was inspired by the deserts of Arizona, “echo[ing] the volcanic rock formations which rise up from the earth in improbable arrangements, somehow finding balance along the way.” The piece “explores themes of permanence and fragility, while celebrating the perfect imperfections that nature creates.”
Marcee Craighill, a member of the Board of The Oronoco and also a member of the Alexandria Commission for the Arts, explained that the decision to install a sculpture at the entrance to The Oronoco was inspired by the building’s location on the Art Walk and a desire to feel a part of the community and contribute to the community.
“Arizona Needle” will be added to the 2025 edition of the Old Town North Alliance Art and Culture Walk Guide. Thank you to Marcee Craighill and The Oronoco for this wonderful contribution to the Old Town North community and to all who visit Old Town North.
For more information about Tom Faulkner, visit:
https://www.tomfaulkner.co.uk/about/
Dine at Royal Restaurant this Sunday November 24th and support MetroStage!
This Sunday, November 24th, bring your friends, family, and neighbors to dine at Royal Restaurant (730 N. St. Asaph St.) from 4pm to 10pm. Not only will you enjoy a delicious meal, but you will be making a contribution to help MetroStage open its doors in Old Town North.
Alexandria Restaurant Partners will donate 20% of all proceeds to the MetroStage Capital Campaign to fund the completion of their new theater in Venue.
It’s a win-win!
To make your reservation for Sunday, please visit:
https://royalrestaurantva.com/
Made in ALX Ribbon Cutting and Opening Night
Made in ALX owner (and Old Town North Alliance Board Member) Beth Lawton cuts the ribbon at her new store at 415 King St. (image courtesy of The Old Town North Alliance)
On Wednesday, November 20th Made in ALX hosted a Ribbon Cutting and Opening Night event at their new location at 415 King St. The new store is bright and welcoming and chock full of great local arts & crafts & more! The next time you are on King St., stop in and check it out!
For more information about Made in ALX, visit:
Narman Restaurant Now Open in Former Sunday in Saigon Location
Narman Restaurant located at 682 N. St. Asaph St. (image courtesy of the Old Town North Alliance)
This week Narman Restaurant opened its doors at 682 N. St. Asaph St. in the former Sunday in Saigon location. Executive Chef Sanjak Demirji offers a menu that showcases Turkish cuisine with his own twist, “blending authentic techniques with modern influences.” Narman Restaurant is open daily from 8am to 11pm.
For more information about Narman Restaurant, visit: