Ladrey Redevelopment Plan Heads To Alexandria City Review

ALEXANDRIA, VA — The plan to turn Ladrey high rise for seniors and people with disabilities into a shorter building with more units will head to city review.

The Planning Commission will review the proposal Thursday. If recommended by the Planning Commission, City Council will consider the proposal on Jan. 20.

The Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority is partnering with developers Winn Companies and IBF Development to redevelop the 11-story, 170-unit Ladrey High Rise at 300 Wythe Street in Alexandria. According to the project website, Ladrey is being redeveloped to bringing the existing building up to code, modernizing the building’s systems and renovate units and amenities. Ladrey residents had contributed to the redevelopment concept plan, sharing concerns about the current non-ADA compliant building having limited accessibility features and maneuvering clearances, as well as outdated appliances in units, limited storage in units, no in-unit laundry, small unit sizes, and inefficient central air conditioning and heating systems.

The existing Ladrey high rise and a housing authority-owned office building at 600 N. Fairfax Street would be demolished and replaced with an L-shaped building with varying five-story, six-story and seven-story sections. The existing 170 affordable units would be replaced for seniors and people with disabilities making 30 percent of the area median income, and another 100 units would be added for households with 60 percent to 80 percent of the area median income. Underground parking with 118 spaces would be provided along with on-street spaces for drop-offs, pickups and emergency vehicles.

During the redevelopment, current Ladrey residents would be temporary relocated "at the developer's expense." Existing residents would have the chance to return to the new building at the same rent level. The current studio and one-bedroom units would be replaced with larger one-bedroom and two-bedroom units, as well as modern, energy-efficient appliances like in-unit washers and dryers. Community amenities would include a two-story resident lounge, courtyard, rooftop deck, fitness room, craft/game room, mail room and computer lab.

If approved, the project could begin construction in the second half of 2025 and be completed in 2028.

According to a city staff report, benefits of the project include an increase in affordable housing units, improvements to streetscapes, two pocket parks that will be open to the public, sustainable building features, high quality architecture and design, an art wall and removal of surface parking. Little to no impacts on Alexandria City Public Schools enrollment are expected.