Fairfax Board of Supervisors Unanimously Approves Kings Crossing

Alexandria, Virginia – Winstanley Architects & Planners (MWAP)  are pleased to announce that their multifamily apartment project, Kings Crossing, was unanimously approved by the Board of Supervisors at the July 25th Planning Commission.  Working with Novus Property Holdings LLC, a subsidiary of Cafritz Interests, MWAP designed a 350-unit mixed use development that was praised by County staff, stating that the project provides “high-quality architectural character and details to set a trend for future development”.  The project offers 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom units targeting a segment of the Mount Vernon Community.  The parcel is 5.29 acres and located at the intersection of Richmond Highway (Route 1) and Fairview Drive, minutes from the Huntington Metro Station.

 

The project was designed within the framework of the County’s new Embark Plan that looks to replace the Route 1 urban fabric of pad sites with open surface parking lots with clearly designated lots established by a grid of streets, sidewalks and structured parking.  The project also accommodated the future alignment for the new dedicated lanes for the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT).  The architectural character of the project evolved from an extensive analysis of the local architectural styles and discussions with the community with the goal to establish a language that is repeatable and establishes a strong sense of place.  Images of both Mt. Vernon and Old Town Alexandria were central to the discussions with the community.

 

“This development is crucial to the future revitalization of Richmond Highway,” Supervisor Dan Storck, D-Mount Vernon, said of the project. “This site as it is now visually reminds you of the Richmond Highway of the past. It’s the 21st century. That’s what this development is about.”

 

Kings Crossing comes with a selection of amenities that will enhance the lives of the residents as well, offering a business center, a dog spa, music practice rooms, a gym, a pool, climbing art walls and a bicycle repair room.  A one-half acre park along the north side along with the extensive streetscape plantings on the other three sides is at once unusual and well received  by the local community.  The overall design will improve the visual appeal of the area and set a standard along this stretch of historic Route 1 for future developments, replacing several small stand-alone buildings.