Restaurants, Mixed-Use Development Approvals Make Progress

ALEXANDRIA, VA—The Planning Commission voted to allow two Old Town Alexandria restaurant proposals and mixed-use development plans near the waterfront to move forward. The City Council will hold a hearing and vote on the proposals on Saturday, Feb. 24.

Two of the proposals seek to expand restaurant options near the waterfront, and the third could bring a much-needed restaurant to space across from the King Street Metro.

A Taco Bell Cantina serving alcohol had been set for approval, but Taco Bell has requested a deferral for the permit.

Here are the full details on the proposals moving forward.

1. Sancerre Restaurant

The owner of Grand Cru Wine Bar and Bistro in Ballston has proposed a French-American restaurant at 1725 Duke Street, across from the King Street Metro Station in Alexandria. The 300-seat restaurant called Sancerre would offer indoor and outdoor dining, live music, and a private event space for weddings and other events. Sancerre would be an upscale restaurant serving French and American cuisine, a large selection of wines from around the world and a full-service bar.

2. The Strand mixed-use development

Arlington-based real estate developer IDI is proposing condominiums and retail space at 205 and 211 Strand Street next to Hotel Indigo. The buildings would each have a restaurant on the ground level, 18 condo units between the two, and a parking garage in the 211 building. Residents would have waterfront views from the condo units and a rooftop patio.

The development site includes the site of Chadwicks, but this restaurant will not be changed. The new restaurants planned for the development have not been announced.

Three people testified in support of the project on the condition of keeping resident parking off the street.

3. Urbano 116

Taco Bell Cantina's application may be delayed, but another Mexican restaurant is getting close to approval within a block of the waterfront. Urbano 116 would occupy space at 116 King Street, which has recently hosted pop-up retail. The restaurant would have Mexican cuisine, a full service bar and live music.

A few people expressed concerns about the operating hours (open until 2 a.m. Thursday-Saturday and midnight other days) as well as parking availability around King Street.

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