Remember, Reuse, and Repurpose
“The City of Alexandria, while not necessarily a pioneer in the area of historic preservation, has certainly been one of the most active cities in the country in this field and was one of the first.”
—Charles E. Beatley, Jr., Former Mayor of Alexandria, Virginia.
One of the many draws to Old Town Alexandria is the abundance of historic sites and houses. This unique make-up is the result of an ordinance passed by the City Council in 1946 to preserve and create the Old and Historic Alexandria District. The ordinance led to the creation of the Board of Architectural Review, which makes informed decisions on demolitions and additions of buildings to the area.
The City is notable for the creative recycling of historic buildings that would otherwise be left to rot or be demolished. Two options come to such buildings: to memorialize its legacy by becoming a historic house or to reinvent and repurpose itself completely.
Learn about the historic landscape of Old Town Alexandria by clicking on the images below.
THE CITY OF ALEXANDRIA ARCHIVES AND RECORDS CENTER
THE TORPEDO FACTORY ART CENTER
THE CARLYLE HOUSE