Robinson Terminal North
223,200 gross square feet
4-5 stories, 80 units
Alexandria, Virginia
On the Boards
Located along the banks of the Potomac River, the Robinson Terminal North development rests on a prominent post-industrial site in Old Town Alexandria. Centrally located between the Old Town North and Old Town South neighborhoods, the mixed-use, multi-parcel project focuses on achieving harmony with the scale and history of the surrounding context while activating the waterfront park and streetscape to create a vibrant environment for the local community.
The Robinson Terminal North
project encompasses two mixed-use multifamily buildings configured to capture panoramic views of the Potomac River and the nation’s
capital on the near horizon. While the taller “West” building defines the
streetscape along North Union Street parallel to the river, the “East” building
is split into two massings connected by a central one-story lobby and community
space. This split strategically carves out a view corridor for the West
building while maximizing light for all the residential dwellings.
A circular food and beverage eatery is nestled into the
landscaped waterfront park, which will anchor the development and serve as an
extension of Founders Park located to the south of the site, between the new buildings and the Potomac River. An iconic brewery/café is to be tucked into
the west building’s corner to activate the north end of the streetscape that is
adjacent to Oronoco Bay Park.
The façade expressions of the buildings take cues from hyper-local historical context. Articulated brick patterns, industrial metal windows and colors are inspired by the old Ford Factory that was formerly located along the river south of the site. The double height open corners of the west building reflect the open corners of the Torpedo Factory located nearby. To further fit the surrounding context, the residential scale of the façade is achieved through a series of townhouses and intimate commercial spaces adjacent to the sidewalk to activate the street life and surrounding environments.
The “East” building is split into two massings connected by a central one-story lobby and community space. This split strategically carves out a view corridor for the West building while maximizing light for all the residential dwellings.