Trends 3 - Architecture, Design & Planning Firm

Meet The Whitley: New Luxury Residences in Old Town North

Penney Design Group is thrilled to unveil The Whitley, a new landmark in the heart of Alexandria’s vibrant Old Town North neighborhood. This sophisticated, boutique-style building at 805 N Columbus Street brings 78 elegantly designed condominium residences, 8 of which will be affordable for 100% AMI residents, ranging from studios to three-bedroom homes with terraces, to one of the region’s most sought-after addresses. Developed by PT Blooms with Eichberg Construction as the general contractor, The Whitley is set to deliver in Fall 2025.

Design Vision at Penney Design Group

Our vision for The Whitley began with a clear goal: to bring to Old Town North a distinctively contemporary design which blends a carefully considered modern aesthetic with the character and details of Alexandria’s built heritage; a building which seamlessly fits within the neighborhood yet distinguishes itself by setting a new standard in the area for progressive, forward-looking, high-quality development.

As seen from the corner of North Columbus & Madison streets, The Whitley’s primary massing matched the scale, materiality, and fenestration of the adjacent rowhouses. At the same time, its upper-level setbacks and façade articulations are differentiated using more contemporary materials and treatments. Project-wide, we employed a 12” long brick as a contemporary counterpoint to the 8” standard brick used in traditional rowhouses.

Communal amenities in the project include outdoor terraces on the 5th and 6th floors with defined seating and gathering areas, gas grills, landscaping and city views; a resident lounge with kitchen/bar and fireplace; boutique fitness center; 1st floor courtyard space; bike storage; EV charging; pet-wash; and package room with cold storage for grocery deliveries.

In the residences, the interiors were optimized with open-plan layouts and high ceilings, and accessorized with wide plank white oak flooring, custom micro-shaker cabinetry, quartz countertops, solid-core doors, roller shades, and carefully designed storage solutions.

21st-Century Sustainability

The owners’ mandate to create a one-off residential destination of refined living and contemporary convenience is supplemented by their commitment to the earmarks of 21st-century sustainability: community, wellness, accessibility, and economy of means.

Sustainability today is a broad concept encompassing various environmental, social, and economic components meant to foster better conditions for present and future generations. The Whitley promotes these concepts through the following:

Community

Community begins at The Whitley with a more economically diverse population. Affordable housing units are offered alongside market-rate units. This more comprehensive demographic comes together in The Whitley’s various communal spaces: the resident lounge, the boutique fitness center, the outdoor terraces and courtyards on varying levels, social spaces which promote and foster a sense of belonging and social support.

Wellness

Along with community, individual well-being is nurtured at The Whitley through the thoughtful management of the building’s various environmental features. From the ground level to the rooftop, The Whitley is ecologically engineered to integrate the project’s stormwater management requirements with the climate/health/aesthetic benefits of its greenscape. A green roof, terrace planters, Bio-retention ponds in various locations, and extensive planting throughout the project capture and recycle rainwater, reduce urban heat island effects, improve air quality and enhance biodiversity.

Accessibility

The Whitley’s prime location, a short walk to the historic core of Old Town Alexandria, the Potomac waterfront, and an abundance of cafes, restaurants, and shopping options, offers a pedestrian-friendly urbanism with Alexandria being a model for a unique, ideal urban environment with a small town feel. Just blocks away, the Braddock Metro stop provides connections to Washington, DC and its array of civic, cultural, and business amenities. Recreationally, there are bike and running trails with easy access to DC, Mt. Vernon, and beyond.

Economy of Means

At The Whitley, economy of means is expressed through the thoughtful integration of form, function, and finish—where each design decision serves multiple purposes, and where restraint becomes a tool for elegance. Rather than relying on an abundance of materials or ornate gestures, the building achieves impact through the careful calibration of its elements: a reduced material palette, refined detailing, and efficient spatial planning.

Every brick course, window alignment, and recessed volume was designed to balance aesthetic presence with cost-conscious execution. For example, the use of a singular, elongated 12” brick delivers both a modern identity and an efficient installation process, offering a contemporary rhythm that ties back to local traditions while reducing complexity.

Inside, open-plan layouts maximize livable area and flexibility within a compact footprint, allowing for generous spatial experiences without excess. Shared amenity spaces are consolidated across levels to encourage vertical circulation and offer layered communal experiences without requiring oversized common areas.

Owner/Architect/Contractor Collaboration

The project’s success is a result of thoughtful collaboration among the Owner, Architect, and Contractor. Along with our specialized team of consulting engineers, this collaboration guided the project on a clear and deliberate path through the stringent review processes of the Community and the City of Alexandria’s review board. It continued throughout the project’s various design development, construction documents, and construction administration phases.

What’s Next

Sales milestones: Over 35% of residences sold within weeks of sales launch, with pricing ranging from the $500,000s to $1.9 million.

Construction timeline: On track for Fall 2025 delivery, slated for move-ins in early 2026.

Follow along: Stay tuned for updates on interior finishes, landscape activation, and official opening announcements.

In Closing

The Whitley reflects Penney Design Group’s commitment to delivering thoughtful, sustainable design, meaningful community connections, and impeccable execution—from programming to ribbon cutting. We’re honored to be part of this well-curated collection of homes in Old Town North—welcome home.

We are honored to announce that Porsche Beachwood, one of the first Generation 5 Porsche dealerships in the Midwest, has been honored with the 2025 New Construction Project of the Year award by NAIOP Northern Ohio.

This prestigious recognition celebrates exceptional achievement in commercial real estate development, architecture, and construction within the region, and we are thrilled that our design work played a central role in this project’s success.

At Penney Design Group, this milestone reflects our ongoing commitment to brand-focused architecture that brings spaces to life. We partnered with Penske Automotive Group and Marous Brothers Construction to bring this flagship dealership to life, turning a formerly abandoned hotel site just outside Cleveland into a dynamic 65,000-square-foot automotive destination that redefines what a luxury dealership can be.

The significance of the award

NAIOP’s New Construction Project of the Year award honors projects demonstrating excellence in design, function, sustainability, and community value. Winning this award reflects the deep collaboration and forward-thinking approach that went into Porsche Beachwood, transforming a neglected site into a vibrant commercial hub that serves both the brand and the local community.

Bringing Porsche’s vision to life through design

Porsche’s global design standards shaped every decision, from layout to materials. We aimed to create a facility that would not only meet the rigorous functional demands of a modern dealership and service center but also embody Porsche’s spirit.

One of the most striking architectural features is the custom ACM (Aluminum Composite Material) façade at the main entrance, inspired by the rear silhouette of the Porsche 911 Carrera. During the day, the façade filters natural light into the showroom, while at night, it is illuminated in glowing red, making a bold statement that perfectly captures Porsche’s iconic style.

Inside, the dealership boasts a two-story showroom connected by a built-in vehicle elevator, allowing for dramatic vehicle displays on both levels. This design not only maximizes the visual impact for customers but also optimizes space efficiency in the showroom.

The service area is equally impressive, featuring 19 in-ground vehicle lifts, each paired with fully equipped workstations designed to streamline technician workflow and enhance customer service. This level of operational sophistication supports Porsche’s commitment to high maintenance and repair standards.

The collaborative journey

From concept through completion, we worked side by side with Penske Automotive Group and Marous Brothers Construction to ensure every detail reflected Porsche’s brand standards of excellence and Penske’s operational and aesthetic requirements.

This synergy of design and construction expertise resulted in a dealership that is as functional as it is beautiful, earning high praise from the client and industry alike.

IMPACT BEYOND THE DEALERSHIP

Beyond serving as a state-of-the-art automotive retail and service center, Porsche Beachwood represents a significant investment in the local community. The project revitalized a previously underutilized site, contributing to the area’s economic development and job creation.

Furthermore, the design incorporates sustainable practices and materials that align with modern environmental standards, emphasizing responsible development.

Looking ahead

Winning the NAIOP 2025 New Construction Project of the Year motivates us at Penney Design Group to continue pushing boundaries in automotive dealership architecture and commercial design. We are passionate about creating spaces that elevate brands, enhance customer experience, and positively impact communities.

Porsche Beachwood is a proud example of what can be achieved when visionary design, skilled craftsmanship, and brand collaboration come together. We look forward to bringing the same dedication and creativity to future projects that help shape the future of automotive retail.

Here’s to bold design—and the teams that make it happen, including our design partners Tarantino Engineering Consultants, P.C. and Westside Engineering, LLC.