DAVIS X APAH
Working to address one of our community’s greatest challenges.
The US housing market has been a constant topic of discussion as the country continues to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. Home prices rose to record levels earlier this year, and while the market isn’t as red-hot these days, prices continue to increase. As demand outpaces supply and potential buyers begin to shy away, the rental market has seen a surge of its own—rents are up 9.6% across the nation in 2021, according to Dwellsy. Access to affordable housing has become a critical need throughout the US, and in the DC metropolitan area, the problem is even more acute.
The Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing (APAH) has developed and preserved quality affordable homes for low-income individuals and families for more than three decades. APAH continues to expand its mission beyond Arlington with its latest project, Oakwood Senior, a development bringing 150 units of affordable housing for seniors to the Lee District in Alexandria. APAH wanted a trusted, capable partner to help them deliver their first project in Fairfax County; we are so pleased they chose DAVIS. We’re proud to have been selected as the general contractor at Oakwood Senior and part of APAH’s critical mission. Supporting our community is one of our core values, and APAH’s continued investment in the region is a perfect match for us.
Carmen Romero, President and CEO of APAH, sees Oakwood Senior as a significant undertaking. "This project will allow residents to age in place and live independently while accessing resources and amenities. The project is transit-oriented, located near Van Dorn Street Metrorail station, and will offer great community amenities to future residents,” Romero told DAVIS. Mitch Crispell, Senior Real Estate Project Manager at APAH, is leading this project, and spoke about how APAH and DAVIS align. “We knew (DAVIS) would be on the ball, not miss anything big, mitigate risk, and deliver within the project budget,” Crispell said. Oakwood Senior will host one- and two-bedroom apartments, as well as community and activity rooms, a library, and a computer lab. The project is scheduled to be completed in Summer 2023.
Building together towards a shared goal.
Our collaboration with APAH doesn’t stop there, though. Later this month, we’re breaking ground together on our next project—Central United Methodist Church (CUMC) Ballston Station, a brand new community that will add 144 affordable homes in the heart of the Ballston neighborhood in Arlington, as well as new space on the ground floor for the church, and dedicated amenity spaces including a childcare facility and commercial kitchen for food distribution. This development addresses a critical need in a transit-oriented, high-opportunity area, and we’re thrilled to be a part of the process. Ben Apfelbaum, DAVIS Project Executive, is particularly excited to see this project come to life. “It’s really interesting to have a residential project on top of a church—and we’re doing the church’s fit-out as well,” Apfelbaum said. “We’re even restoring a Tiffany window from 1933 that has been in storage to install in the new building.”
The DAVIS team set to work on this project recently completed an apartment project in DC, and they’re ready to get to work. CUMC Ballston Station is scheduled to be completed in early 2024.
We’re looking forward to continuing our newly formed partnership as both the Oakwood Senior and CUMC Ballston Station projects move forward.
- Mitch Crispell, Senior Real Estate Project Manager, APAH
