Alexandria board approves partial demolition for City Hall infill, defers final facade and plaza design to workshop

The Board of Architectural Review on Wednesday approved the partial demolition and encapsulation of the 1960s infill at City Hall but deferred final approval of the south façade and Market Square plans, asking the City to convene a focused workshop to refine details.

The City of Alexandria presented a multi‑session concept update for rehabilitation of the Adolf Cluss Market Building and the adjacent 1960s infill. Jeremy McPike, director of general services for the City of Alexandria, said the design team had conducted more than 60 public engagements and had refined four façade options, including a new option the team labeled 4B. “We appreciate tonight’s time,” McPike told the board as the presentation began.

Historic architect Michael Bjornberg told the board the project team applied preservation principles such as “do no harm” and “preserve historic materials” when weighing interventions, and emphasized that the 1960s infill is non‑contributing and therefore offers opportunities for a differentiated treatment.…