From Condos to an Italian Car Museum: Old Town North’s Arts District Moving From Vision to Reality

ALEXANDRIA, VA – As the end of 2025 approaches, Old Town North is filled with anticipation as four major development projects are in progress, featuring incredible arts and cultural components. Details on those constructions were shared by the Old Town North Alliance during the Arts & Cultural District Forum on Thursday, November 13th.  The projects are:

Tidelock: A New Waterfront Gateway for Arts, Dining, and Living

The Tidelock development is moving forward with two major residential components: The Residences, a 65-unit condominium building, and Current, a 169-unit rental apartment project. Sales for both have already launched, with condominium delivery expected in April 2026.

A defining element of Tidelock is its commitment to public arts and culture. The project dedicates 5,000 square feet to cultural uses, including:

• A proposed Italian car museum currently under review as the site’s potential arts anchor

• A 2,000-square-foot café

• A 1,500-square-foot arts and cultural space located across the internal driveway

If approved, the car museum would be the first of its kind in Alexandria and could serve as a signature draw for the Arts & Cultural District.

MetroStage: A Home for Local Theater and the Alexandria Film Festival

MetroStage—one of Alexandria’s most beloved arts institutions—is undergoing a full transformation and is poised to become the permanent home of the Alexandria Film Festival.

Artistic Director Carolyn Griffin shared that the team is collaborating closely with Alexandria-based firms Win Stanley Architects and Quattro Construction. The renovated venue is expected to open in late 2026 and will feature:

• A flexible performance space

• A newly added mezzanine

• Enhanced capacity for film, theater, and multidisciplinary arts

With improved technical capabilities and expanded space, MetroStage is expected to become a cornerstone cultural venue in Old Town North.

Montgomery Center: Major Mixed-Use Destination Still Moving Forward

Despite broader challenges in the commercial financing market, plans for the Montgomery Center redevelopment remain active. The project is slated to include:

• 25,000 square feet of ground-floor retail

• 13,000 square feet of arts and cultural space

Developers expect to break ground in late Q1 or early Q2 of 2026. Details on the arts anchor tenant have not yet been released, but the Old Town North Alliance expressed optimism that Montgomery Center will complement Tidelock’s arts offerings and further connect the neighborhood’s growing cultural ecosystem.

500 Montgomery Street: An International Arts Hub in the Making

A more intimate but equally exciting project is underway at 500 Montgomery Street, where 532 Yoga is partnering with NCO Creative & Arts Consultancy to create a new, international-focused arts venue. The planned studio will:

• Curate exhibitions featuring global artists

• Host weekly arts programming and community gatherings

• Bring new cultural experiences to the heart of Old Town North

A grand opening announcement is expected soon.