St. James Plaza
Alexandria, VA
having the same goal means successful projects
One day you turn around and all of a sudden you’ve built twelve projects together. But it’s not just about numbers, it’s about being glad to work with AHC because of what they do. We are privileged to contribute to the success of their mission. Like Harkins, the Arlington-based organization is expanding its footprint, and this is the second project in Alexandria we’ve built with them.
Located in the City of Alexandria’s Beauregard neighborhood, St. James Plaza transformed three acres previously owned by the St. James United Methodist Church into 93 new affordable apartments, a mix of efficiencies and one-, two- and three-bedroom units at rents ranging from 40% to 60% of the Area Median Income. With affordable housing increasingly difficult to find in Northern Virginia, the waiting list for apartments at St. James Plaza topped 2,600 people the month of substantial completion.
The modern structure has five stories of wood frame construction above two levels of cast-in-place concrete. There is underground parking, a fitness center, and a community room for residents. Typical for an AHC community, an onsite preschool will provide early childhood services to children at St. James and in the surrounding community.
How Harkins Made a Difference
- We helped the owner navigate VHDA requirements timely and cost-effectively by reviewing them up front and asking questions before they became issues.
- We made friends with the neighbors by attending community meetings and staying in touch on a daily basis to make sure traffic, noise, and dirt weren’t having a negative impact on their lives.
Awards & Certifications
ABC Metro Washington
Excellence in Construction – Excellence Award
Mixed Use Under $50M
EarthCraft
EarthCraft Multifamily New Construction – Platinum
VA Governor’s Conference
Best Affordable Housing Development
ULI Washington District Council
2020 Trends
Excellence in Housing Affordability