Goodie's Restored Ice House Among Alexandria Beautification Award Winners

ALEXANDRIA, VA — From the restored ice house turned into an ice cream shop to a school created from an office building, the Alexandria Beautification Commission named a variety of 2023 Alexandria Beautification Award winners.

Awards are given in three categories: Alexandria Architecture Award, Alexandria Commercial Beautification Award and Alexandria Community Beautification Award. Residents were able to submit nominations, and winners were chosen after review by the Alexandria Beautification Commission.

Winners of the Alexandria Architecture Award are Ferdinand Day Elementary School at 1700 North Beauregard Street, a house at 200 Lloyds Lane, and Muse Old Town development at 1201 North Royal Street.

Alexandria's Ferdinand Day Elementary School was recognized for a "creative and sustainable conversation" of a former office building into a school with color, art and greenery, according to the commission.

The 200 Lloyds Lane house was recognized for "clean lines, unique window panes, and minimalist design of a home surrounded by many native and sustainable plantings."

The Muse Old Town, a new mixed-use condo community, was recognized as an anchor for Old Town North's arts district and its blend of modern and historical elements and architecture.

Commission members evaluated nominees based on Aesthetic improvements through architectural design, historical restoration or commitment to architecture, and sustainable design practices. Nominees could be residential, commercial and public properties.

"Great architecture, like those recognized this year, encourages us to get out, enjoy our City, and meet our friends and neighbors," said Steve Cohen, the Alexandria Beautification Commission chair. "It also inspires us to do our part to make Alexandria an even more amazing place to live, work, and visit."

Winners of the Alexandria Commercial Beautification Award were The Time Travel Mural at 611 South Pickett Street, Alexan Florence at 400 Wythe Street, Goodies Frozen Custard & Treats at 200 Commerce Street and Tenant and Workers United building at 3801 Mount Vernon Avenue.

The Time Travel Mural was recognized for enhancing a warehouse exterior into a mural showing the region's history and development.

Alexan Florence was recognized for the conversion from an old bus shed into a new community with "modern and historical elements, ecological practices, and informative plaques," according to the commission.

Goodies Frozen Custard & Treats received recognition for restoring the historic ice house into an ice cream parlor while keeping historical charm and maintaining seasonal plantings.

The Tenant and Workers United building at 3801 Mount Vernon Avenue was recognized for its two bright and colorful murals, which the commission says "illustrate the dreams and challenges of immigrant communities in the U.S."

The commission evaluated nominees based on factors like beautification of commercial spaces through landscaping and color, effectively using architectural and design elements, reinventing old or neglected spaces, using environmentally sustainable design practices and providing ongoing maintenance.

"Through proactive and consistent maintenance, implementation of sustainable design, and the production of public art, these businesses show how beautification efforts invigorate commercial spaces for the benefit of all," said Cohen. "It is wonderful to see businesses collaborate with local artists, implement ecological practices, and reinvent new spaces while honoring the past; truly a win-win."

The winners of the Alexandria Community Beautification Award were The Spire affordable housing development at 2875 North Beauregard Street, Dale Street Community Garden at 65 Dale Street, and The Platform Alexandria at 1100 North Fayette Street.

The Spire was recognized "for providing affordable housing that is beautiful, ecological, and functional," according to the commission.

Dale Street Community Garden was recognized for maintaining a space for the community to "gather, plant, learn, and harvest sustainably together."

The Platform Alexandria was recognized for replacing industrial space and parking lots with a park featuring public art and leisure space.

The commission recognized award winners that contribute to Alexandria's beautification through cleanups, invasive species removal, landscaping, and sustainable practices.

"Through inspired design, dedication to equity and accessibility, the installment of public art, and the application of sustainable techniques, this year's winners exemplify how community beautification produces positive environmental and social benefits for all of Alexandria," said Cohen. "It is always inspiring to see how community initiatives supported through public-private collaboration deliver real ecological and civic value."

Images of all winners are available on the Alexandria Beautification Commission web page.