The Arlington County Board on Saturday approved a new 11-story, 198-unit apartment building, to be built on the old Crystal City Post Office site.
The Board voted 4-0 to approve the building, at 1720 S. Eads Street. Developer Kettler has promised to reserve 16 of the apartments — 8 percent of all units — as dedicated affordable housing for the next 30 years, and will design the building to LEED Silver sustainability specifications. Sustainable features include a landscaped roof and electric vehicle recharging stations in the 176-space parking garage.
“This project, one of the first approved under the Crystal City [Sector] plan, fulfills the community’s wishes to see homes — including affordable units — built on this site, within walking distance of Metro and other public transit,” County Board Chairman Walter Tejada said in a statement. “I believe it will serve as a catalyst for redeveloping Crystal City into the more walkable, vibrant neighborhood that the community envisions.”
Other community benefits pledged by the developer include improved sidewalks and curbs around the building, an upgraded traffic signal at the intersection of S. Eads and 18th Street, muti-space parking meters, and a $272,273 contribution for public open space improvement in Crystal City.
The Board was able to iron out issues with the building’s proposed rooftop deck and pool that caused it to be deferred from December’s County Board meeting.
Renderings via Arlington County and Kettler