EAGH Alexandria
AKA Hotel
A new hotel will replace the former Holiday Inn Express in Old Town North — and there are changes coming to the building.
The Board of Architectural Review is recommending approval of a dark grey stain over the current red brick building at 625 First St. New windows, a relocated entrance and other changes are in the works, as well. The dark grey stain seems to be a slightly muted version of the original BAR application, which suggested the hotel would be painted black.
The building, part of which is more than 50 years old, will transform into an AKA hotel, which focuses primarily on weekly and monthly extended stays. "Designed for longer stays, AKA offers sophisticated hotel accommodations and spacious furnished residences with exceptional business, wellness, and lifestyle amenities in iconic neighborhoods," according to the company's website.
The oldest part of the building was built as an addition in the 1970s to part of the Old Colony Inn, which once occupied the site and some land to the west and north. The younger part of the building was constructed in the 1980s.
A new Holiday Inn Express is in the works further south on North Washington Street, where the company is incorporating a historic home into the construction of the new, five-story hotel.
