OLD TOWN

NORTH

Open a Creative Space in Alexandria’s Old Town North Arts & Cultural District

Imagine establishing your arts business, startup, or organization in a thriving waterfront district just minutes from Washington, DC.
On behalf of the City of Alexandria, Virginia, the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership (AEDP) is not currently accepting expressions of interest from arts and cultural businesses, start-ups, entrepreneurs, and organizations to secure below-market rent to create arts and cultural anchors in Old Town North, Alexandria’s rising arts district.

Be Part of the Old Town North Arts & Cultural District

Old Town North is a City-backed commitment to the arts. Running along the Potomac River waterfront and anchored by The Art League–a regionally renowned arts school and cornerstone for Alexandria’s creative landscape for over 70 years– this district reflects Alexandria’s belief that art should be accessible, celebrated, and central to community life.

As a part of this effort, the City is awarding an arts density bonus for local developers and building owners to create dedicated spaces where artists, cultural organizations, and creative entrepreneurs can thrive.

Partners in this initiative will get the chance to establish and shape how the district comes to life, who it serves, and ultimately help build a nationally recognized cultural destination.

Who We’re Looking For

We’re seeking passionate creatives and cultural organizations with a proven track record of success across a range of artistic disciplines—both traditional and non-traditional. If you have the talent and vision to operate an arts-focused business or organization and want to be an active part of your community through immersive spaces and programming, we want to hear from you.

That could include, but isn’t limited to:

Arts & Cultural Organizations (nonprofits, collectives, and community-driven initiatives)

Experiential Concepts (interactive exhibits, digital arts, and tech-driven experiences)

Workshop Hosts (hands-on creative learning and maker spaces)

Artists & Makers (studios, co-ops, and collaborative workspaces)

Culinary Arts (food as a dynamic artistic & cultural medium)

Performing Arts (theater, dance, music, and entertainment productions)

Visual & Digital Arts (multidisciplinary & emerging media)

Alexandria Loves Local

Alexandria provides easy access to DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia while boasting an exceptionally loyal customer base who travels from across the region to shop at local, independent, and experiential businesses.

Condé Nast ranks Alexandria the #3 Small City in the US, and Travel + Leisure names us one of the top 10 best cities in the country.

3040

Average Daily Visitors to Old Town North

$120K

Average Alexandria Income

6 Million

Regional Residents

85

Walk Score

#1

Best Place for Cultural Riches

-Travel + Leisure, 2023

Canal Ctr., Alex, VA DCA runway, monument, plane landing

Prospective Spaces

Street-level retail spaces ranging from 1,200 to 13,000 square feet, available in a variety of configurations, may be offered through this program.

“There are a lot of reasons to be excited and optimistic about what the arts can do in Old Town North and what we can bring that really adds another dimension to Alexandria that Arlington and D.C. don’t have.”

-Suzanne Bethel, Executive Director, The Art League

Case Study: The Art League

Thanks to a creative financing solution developed by AEDP, The Art League built new classrooms in two Old Town North locations, expanding on its 70-year legacy of arts education.

Who Isn’t a Good Fit for This Program?

The Old Town North Arts & Cultural District enhances the neighborhood, increases foot traffic, and complements existing retail in the area. This program is best suited for tenants who can actively program their space and demonstrate long-term financial viability. (If this isn’t the right fit for you, we can help you in other ways.)

Get Business Support

Thank you for your interest, but we are not longer accepting expressions of interest.