Erkiletian to Start Old Town Apartment Project

Developers in Old Town Alexandria haven't had the stomach for starting large residential projects of late, but at least one thinks the timing is now right. Locally based construction and development company Erkiletian says it is just a few weeks away from starting work on The Asher, a 206 unit apartment building two blocks from the Braddock Road Metro station.

Developers of the apartment building slated for 621 North Payne Street in Old Town say both the site and building permits should be issued this week, allowing them to submit for demolition permits next week to tear down the Security Storage warehouse now on the lot. Garland Miller of Erkiletian says work could begin by mid-November, with demolition lasting about 2 months.

Erkiletian purchased the land in June of 2008 and expected to be under construction last year, but hasn't kicked off a large residential project since the Halstead Towers in Alexandria, which it completed in 2005. "The developer just feels the timing is right" said Miller. The developer is shooting for LEED Silver certification. The six-story Ashton will feature 206 apartments, a three-story, 256-space garage, and a tiny retail component.

The project was first conceived by Rust Orling Architecture and Hovnanian, which Erkiletian modified and added 60 units to, bringing on Lessard Group as project architect. BE & K will build the apartments. The Asher will sit just a few blocks west of EYA's Old Town Commons mixed-income project, which began construction earlier this year.

Alexandria, Virginia real estate development news