Adaptive reuse and thoughtful design brings new life to 1926 historic hotel, minutes from Washington D.C.
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – July 25, 2023 – Opening in early 2024, Hotel Heron, a first-time partnership between Aparium Hotel Group, May Riegler Companies and Potomac Investment Properties, will transform the historic George Mason Hotel building in Old Town Alexandria, Va., just minutes from Washington D.C., into a vibrant social hub.
Lauded as one of the finest examples of Colonial Revival architecture in the city, the building was originally constructed in 1926 and served as the George Mason Hotel for 45 years. It was one of the most modern hotels of its time when constructed and known as a prime location for holding social events in its heyday. Spearheaded by Washington D.C.-based architect Antonovich Associates, and design firm Streetsense, the adaptive reuse project combines the iconic property with an adjacent new building. Hotel Heron will be home to 134 guest rooms and top-of-market food and beverage offerings as well as a state-of-the-art fitness center, and a selection of meeting spaces designed for socializing, co-working, creating and more.
The hotel’s signature wood-fired restaurant, open for breakfast, lunch, dinner and weekend brunch, will feature an ever-evolving look at the abundant offerings of the Chesapeake Bay and beyond. An adjacent bar area will be an all-day destination for coffee, teas, botanicals, bubbles and cocktails.
A separate bespoke bar and lounge, with rich colors and thoughtful design, will be located in the center of the hotel, offering a selection of shareable plates and an extensive cocktail list, ranging from approachable to progressive. Finally, a seasonal rooftop cocktail bar offers unparalleled views of the Potomac River, frozen cocktails, a wine program with an emphasis on East Coast and regional vintners, and a thoughtful rotating and seasonal menu of limited releases from local brewers.
Located in the heart of Old Town, a nationally designated historic district on the Potomac River waterfront, Hotel Heron provides the perfect home base to explore the King Street Mile, complete with its brick-lined sidewalks and cobblestone alleys, free trolley, canopy of twinkling lights, centuries-old architecture, independent shops and restaurants, art studios, and historic museums and attractions. Just minutes away from Washington D.C. or a scenic ferry ride along the Potomac, the hotel also offers prime access to the National Mall and Capitol city museums and monuments.
“We couldn’t be more excited to help breathe new life into this historic hotel,” said Michael Kitchen, Partner of Aparium Hotel Group. “Hotel Heron will be a one-of-a-kind addition to Old Town Alexandria, and it will serve as a vibrant hub, connecting travelers to enriching experiences and the cultural essence of this world-class destination. We embrace the opportunity to restore this early 20th-century purpose-built hotel to its original glory, while infusing our Translocal Hospitality philosophy and injecting the energy and soul that defines Alexandria’s creative class.”
“We are excited to expand our portfolio of exciting projects in the Washington D.C. area and beyond with the opening of our first hotel,” said Eric May, co-founder and principal of May Riegler Companies. “Hotel Heron perfectly aligns with our mission to create unique products in urban-infill locations that meet the needs of today’s travelers, city dwellers, workers and retail customers.”
“We are thrilled about the transformative adaptive reuse of this iconic property, which upon completion, will deliver a best-in-class hotel, complimentary to the vibrant fabric of the historic Old Town neighborhood,” said Rich Jordan, managing director of Potomac Investment Properties. “This property builds on the storied legacy of the Gewirz family, who have continued to deliver high-quality development projects across the Greater Washington DC area for almost a century.”
For more information, visit https://heronalexandria.com
