4501 Ford Ave e-lofts

The 4501 Ford Ave e-lofts project involved the adaptive reuse of a fourteen-story office building from the 1980s into a mixed-use development accommodating both residential and office spaces. The building, located in Alexandria, Virginia, was transformed by Lord Aeck Sargent into approximately 200 flexible units that could serve as living spaces, workspaces, or a combination of both. This design leveraged the building's existing tall ceilings, large windows, and open floor plans to create highly amenitized loft-style spaces. Each unit features movable pocket walls, Euro-style kitchens, and robust IT infrastructure with fiber optic service, catering to modern office needs. The project included about 7,200 square feet of shared amenities on the ground level and maintained the existing four-level below-grade parking deck to support the building's mixed occupancy. The design emphasized flexibility and modern functionality, with units equipped for high-tech office use or comfortable living. In collaboration with Gensler for interior design and visioning, the project integrated sustainable practices and created a cohesive working environment with amenities such as a rooftop patio, lounge areas, and active sports spaces. This conversion responded to the increasing demand for flexible living and working environments, transforming a vacant office building into a vibrant, multifunctional space.