A new mixed-income apartment building that provides the amenities of market-rate residences, even though 40 percent of its units are committed affordable housing, has opened near Rosslyn.
The Union on Queen building is located at 1515 N. Queen Street, in the Radnor-Fort Myer Heights neighborhood, roughly equidistant to the Rosslyn and Courthouse Metro stations. It was partially funded with $6.8 million from Arlington’s Affordable Housing Investment Fund.
Work on the 12-story, 193-unit structure, built as a public-private partnership, began at the end of 2014. It was touted as a way to provide affordable housing for those who need it — those making up to 50-60 percent of area median income are eligible for the committed units — while also providing attractive apartments for market-rate tenants.
“What makes Union on Queen so unique is that it offers ALL residents the same award-winning levels of innovation, convenience, amenities and design synonymous with the Bozzuto name in some of DC’s most premier apartments,” a PR rep said. “While most mixed-income communities often lack the luxuries and appointments of market-rate residences, Union on Queen delivers outstanding levels of service and detail for everyone.”
“There are a lot of places that would say, ‘Dumb it down, cheaper, less efficient. It’s affordable housing in there,'” County Board Chair Jay Fisette said during the groundbreaking ceremony two years ago. “But that’s not the way this community works. We want every building to be indistinguishable from the next.”
More on the project, via a press release from developers Bozzuto and Wesley Housing Development Corporation, after the jump.
Teachers, police officers, city employees, fixed-income retirees and service industry workers will next to doctors, lawyers and DC politicos to deliver a truly diverse and integrated community for everyone, creating a sanctuary for all.
The Bozzuto Group and non-profit developer Wesley Housing Development Corporation today announced the opening of Union on Queen, a mixed-income, multifamily community in Arlington. The community offers 193 apartment residences, of which 78 (40 percent) are designated as affordable housing. Significant support was given to this project from Arlington County and the Virginia Housing Development Authority as well as from financial partners Capital One, Hudson Housing, Walker & Dunlop and Freddie Mac.
Union on Queen offers a community of market rate apartments and affordable apartments during a time when there is growing demand for mixed-income housing in the Washington metropolitan area. As one of the few mixed-income housing developments in Arlington, the community plays a pivotal role in helping fulfill Arlington County’s Affordable Housing Master Plan while inspiring other developers to build multi-income communities.
At Union on Queen, housing is “affordable” to households earning 50 percent and 60 percent of area median income. By creating mixed-income communities with affordable housing options, teachers, police officers and f’irefighters, as well as low-income renters such as service workers with jobs essential to the community (restaurant staff, retail clerks, cashiers, daycare workers, hairdressers, maintenance technicians and security guards), or retired people living on Social Security income, can live in the neighborhoods where they work.
Union on Queen is located at 1515 N. Queen Street in downtown Arlington, with easy access to Route 50, 1-66 and the George Washington Parkway. This 12-story, LEED Silver certified development is considered a transit-oriented community because of its proximity to the Orange, Blue and Silver Metro lines at the Rosslyn and Courthouse stations which quickly connects residents to the Washington metropolitan area. It is a short walk to the many excellent restaurants, shopping and entertainment options in neighboring Georgetown and Rosslyn.
“Bozzuto’s commitment to creating a sanctuary for all, regardless of income levels, is realized through the Union on Queen community. Union on Queen is an exceptionally designed project that offers our residents many choices and caters to many lifestyles. The thought and consideration given to the design, materials and amenities speaks to a sense of pride that all residents in this community will share,” said Toby Bozzuto, president and CEO – Bozzuto.
“This community welcomes everyone no matter where they fall on the economic scale,” stated Shelley Murphy, president – Wesley Housing Development. “Working with our partners at Bozzuto and Arlington County, we are creating stabilized neighborhoods with quality living arrangements for residents with mixed-incomes and for families. This development is significant in Arlington County’s Affordable Housing Master Plan and provides housing that is affordable for a broad range of Arlington residents.”
“Union on Queen provides wonderful updated and new apartment homes to hundreds of Arlington families. It also represents the next generation of housing affordability because it is better integrated into the surrounding community, has features that will help its residents save money with access to more ways to get to and from work, and helps to strengthen our economy,” said Arlington County Housing Director David Cristeal.
“We’re thrilled that Union on Queen is welcoming its first residents, an important milestone in the county’s effort to increase the availability of affordable housing,” said Ed Delany, senior vice president, Community Finance, Capital One. “Affordable housing helps strengthen communities, and partnering to play a role in that process is exciting. This is particularly the case when it involves a project such as Union on Queen, which embodies how the availability of top tier design and sustainability can reach across income levels.”
Union on Queen’s well-designed floor plans include studio apartments as well as one, two, and three bedrooms. Its numerous amenity spaces encourage neighbors to socialize and interact. The community’s outdoor living areas flow seamlessly into a landscaped patio with comfortable seating surrounding large outdoor kitchens next to an inviting fire pit and green space. The expansive rooftop deck, with bocce court, fireside lounge, coffee bar and kitchen, offers incomparable views of the United States Capitol building.
Union on Queen was designed by architectural firm Davis Carter Scott, with interior design by Design Works. Bozzuto Construction Company served as the general contractor.
For more information on Union on Queen, including leasing details and a list of its outstanding array of amenities, please visit Union on Queen.
Photos by Samantha Moore