Planned Alexandria condo building scraps ‘uncomfortable’ glass box

The last time Michael Winstanley Architects & Planners met with the Old and Historic Alexandria Board of Architectural Review (BAR), the BAR members described the design of the planned condo building as “jarring,” “frenetic,” and “uncomfortable.” Washington Business Journal reported that the architects listened to the BAR and altered their design to remove six condos and a proposed glass box on top of the building.

At 1604-1614 King Street, the new plan is to restore 1614 King Street and construct a maximum of 50 condos. The 17,480-square-foot building will feature a red brick facade with industrial-style windows.

According to the building owner, the only feasible use for the building is residential because of how weak the office market is in Alexandria.

• Goodbye, big glass box. Old Town condo plan has a new (or old) look. [Washington Business Journal]