Grand Opening for Modera Tempo: A Comprehensive Mixed-Use Community in Alexandria’s West End

By Melinda Sigal

Mayor William Euille joined other community and business leaders to formally launch Modera Tempo, a new transit-friendly mixed-use community in Alexandria’s West End on Friday, January 30, 2015.
A joint venture of Mill Creek Residential and AEW Capital Management, Modera Tempo is the first new development to be completed within the Landmark/Van Dorn Small Area Plan. The property integrates 492 modern apartment homes with 15,000 square feet of retail space complemented by a wide range of luxurious resident amenities.

“The launch of Modera Tempo is an important catalyst to the long-planned redevelopment of the Van Dorn corridor, from here to Landmark Mall,” said Mayor Euille. “Over the next two decades, the entire West End of Alexandria will be transformed.”
“Alexandria is a truly walkable city, and we are proud to extend the walkability of its historic core to the West End, where residents can live in close proximity to Metro and major employers,” said Amirali Nasserian, VP Development for Mill Creek Residential. Modera Tempo’s first building has delivered, with more than 50 apartments already leased. A second building will deliver in February, followed by a third in April.
During Friday’s grand opening, Nasserian dedicated a ten-foot outdoor sculpture by Alexandria artist Larry Moriss to the memory of Michael McGuire, who passed away last year. As a member of The Pinkard Group, McGuire was instrumental I the early process of acquiring, planning and rezoning the site beginning more than ten years ago. MCR took over the development process in 2010.
Located on the corner of South Van Dorn and South Pickett Streets, Modera Tempo is just minutes to the Van Dorn Metro; residents can walk or use the community’s free shuttle service. But the shuttle is just one of the many amenities that will enhance residents’ lifestyles. The community will offer residents two 24-hour fitness centers, two hotel-inspired pools, three private courtyards, concierge service, a dog spa, social kitchen, yoga studio, bike storage, and complimentary wi-fi in common areas. A retail plaza, open to the public, already has come to life with the recent opening of Smashburger.
Modera Tempo’s studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartment homes feature such luxury finishes as granite or quartz kitchen counters, glass tile kitchen backsplashes, custom cabinets, stainless steel appliances, wood plank-style flooring, open floor plans and high ceilings.
The community was designed to fuse western Alexandria’s early 20th century art modern aesthetic with other traditional architectural elements. “We took design cues from the original George Washington Middle School off Mount Vernon Avenue,” said Chris Gordon, AIA of KGD Architecture. “We also wanted to ensure that each of the buildings is distinctive, so that it has the feel of a neighborhood rather than a single development.”