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The Best Commercial Architects in Alexandria, Virginia

10 Min Read

Many people think Alexandria is one of the best places to live in Northern Virginia. Every cobblestone street has a story, and its pristine location allows easy access to Washington, DC, and there are many significant areas to choose from. Residents and visitors will always have things to do and explore with its many dining, retail, leisure, and entertainment options. 

If you want to start a business or build some commercial space in the area, get to know eight of the best commercial architects in Alexandria, Virginia. These impressive firms were evaluated based on their skills, experience, expertise, and exceptional portfolios. 


//3877

3299 K St. NW., Suite 300, Washington, DC 20007

//3877 is an architecture and design firm that focuses on delivering high-end projects for various industries, such as residential and commercial. Since its inception in 2011, the firm has started its integrated and hands-on approach by communicating with its clients, asking questions, and paying close attention to the answers. Whether a simple tenant improvement project or a full-scale new construction, the firm’s team of experts works hard to deliver well-planned, customized solutions that reflect each client’s unique vision, personality, and lifestyle. The firm has remained committed to creating high-quality projects that improve the community and change how people live. As a result, the firm has earned a long list of clients who testify to its quality and professionalism. 

Photo Credit: Rey Lopez

One of the firm’s notable projects is the dining room and bar at Oak Steakhouse. The firm carefully designed the place by taking inspiration from modern and rustic styles. The steakhouse offers a warm and welcoming atmosphere with rustic elements such as reclaimed wood, exposed brick, custom-built wine walls, banquettes, and burgundy leather.


Cooper Carry Architects

625 North Washington St., Suite 200, Alexandria, VA 22314

Cooper Carry Architects is a national architecture and design firm that has served Virginia and its nearby areas with various projects. Since its inception in 1960, the firm has earned an impressive portfolio and a solid track record of satisfied clients, showcasing its ability to deliver high-quality projects on schedule and within budget. Its team of internationally renowned design professionals is dedicated to achieving excellence through connective design that reflects each client’s needs and offers the best value possible. The firm handles each project with an integrated and collaborative approach, keeping a meticulous eye on every detail to ensure everything goes according to plan. Over the years, the firm has worked on designing hotels, apartments, restaurants and bars, offices, schools, colleges, cities, parks, and logos for the built environment.

Cooper Carry created a mixed-use building in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia, a 124-room Hyatt Centric hotel. The new project features a 2,500-square-foot restaurant, 12,000-square-foot office space, and a valet-managed parking area one story below grade, all part of the six-story building. The Centric brand gives guests a memorable experience tailored to the site with its unique transitional design.


HYL Architecture

607 14th St. NW., Suite 250, Washington, DC 20005

HYL Architecture creates places that help people and businesses grow. Since its inception in 2014, this up-and-coming firm has remained committed to helping its clients with their unique architecture and design needs. Whether it is a simple tenant improvement project or a new construction project, the firm works closely with its clients to understand their vision and turn it into a reality. Its impressive portfolio is a testament to this, showcasing its ability to deliver various projects on schedule, within budget, and of the highest quality possible. The firm focuses on frequent communication, close collaboration, and solid relationships to ensure a smooth project delivery and a stress-free, enjoyable experience for its clients and stakeholders. 

Photo by: Garrett Rowland

One of the firm’s notable projects is Oliff’s office. The building’s complicated and one-of-a-kind shape makes the inside very interesting. Some rooms have views of the Washington Monument, the U.S. Capitol, the Potomac River, and the National Harbor. Oliff had a lot of foreign clients, so it was important for the space to have a warm, open, and welcoming feel to greet guests and give employees a place to go. The new space is available, light, and lively.


KGD Architecture

4040 North Fairfax Dr., Arlington, VA 22203

KGD Architecture is a full-service design company with offices all over the world and a headquarters in Washington, D.C. Since its inception in 1995, the firm has worked on various projects such as affordable housing, corporate and commercial offices, hospitality, mixed-use, multifamily residential, educational, institutional, science and technology, and sustainable design. Its impressive portfolio has earned a long list of satisfied clients, demonstrating its ability to deliver high-quality projects that consistently exceed expectations. It offers a one-stop-shop solution for its clients, checking every detail and handling everything from start to finish. The firm looks at complicated projects from different angles to create spaces that reflect the client’s values, history, brand, and culture.

The design of the central command center for 495 Express Lanes features the technology, infrastructure, communication lines, and staff needed to monitor it. It features a visually pleasing and functional space with a good and cohesive work environment. It also gives workers access to daylight in a stressful workplace. 


ALine Architecture, LLC

2503 Lisbon Ln., Alexandria, VA 22306

Since its inception in 2009, ALine Architecture has earned its reputation as a reliable and trustworthy firm serving Virginia and its nearby areas. The firm has been in the industry for 14 years, offering the proper knowledge, insights, and technical know-how in architecture, interior design, art, and building science. Its architects and designers provide an excellent eye for detail, great design, creative ideas, artistic flair, and excellent customer service. Its integrated and collaborative approach allows it to work closely with its clients, contractors, suppliers, and trade partners to develop well-planned designs that offer the best value possible. It utilizes creative design techniques, tried-and-true methodologies, and cost-efficient solutions to ensure high-quality projects that reflect the client’s needs and goals for the space. 

Kismet Modern Indian is known for using fresh and unusual ingredient mixtures, inventive flavor profiles, and tried-and-true cooking methods to make Indian food taste better. The firm did a new tenant build-out for Kismet Modern Indian Restaurant, including a bar, new lighting, cooking equipment, and modern decor. ALine Architecture helped the client plan the space and lighting efficiently to maximize its potential. 


Cole & Denny Architects

333 North Fairfax St., Alexandria, VA 22314

Cole & Denny Architects offers a one-stop-shop solution that handles architectural, planning, and design services. Its integrated and personalized approach allows the firm to assign one person to manage the whole job from beginning to end. This strategy and its focus on communication and collaboration will enable it to consistently deliver high-quality projects on schedule and within budget. Since its inception in 1984, the firm has worked on everything from big new building projects to small interior renovations. No matter the project’s size, scope, and complexity, the firm works hard to meet its clients’ design, budget, and schedule goals. As a result, the firm has earned a long list of clients who testify to its quality, professionalism, and ability to deliver exceptional results. 

One of the firm’s notable projects is the 1010 Loft in Alexandria, Virginia. The firm created the detailed plans and building papers and offered construction services to renovate the 8,000-square-foot, two-level office. The new space features a sleek and modern room for entrepreneurial businesses where people can work together. 


Maginniss + del Ninno Architects, PC

500 Montgomery St., Suite 550, Alexandria, VA 22314

Maginniss + del Ninno (M+dN) Architects has been in the industry since 1976, helping clients across Virginia and its nearby areas with exceptional projects and extensive services. The firm is committed to creating simple, elegant answers to complex problems regardless of the project’s size, scope, and complexity. It takes a collaborative approach to managing each project that allows it to get to know its clients and work closely with them throughout the complex process. Its expert design team is dedicated to environmentally friendly design, working closely with clients, creating creative solutions to problems, and always doing their best work. Over the years, the firm has earned an impressive portfolio and solid track record of satisfied clients, which serve as a testament to its ability to guarantee satisfaction and exceed expectations. 

One of the firm’s notable projects was for Faithful + Gould, a building management company with offices worldwide. Maginniss + del Ninno Architects worked with a general builder as part of a design/build team to meet strict time and cost limits. The firm helped the client meet their design goals while keeping the building cost below $350,000 by focusing on clear communication and careful budget management.


GBR Architects, LLC

123 N. Pitt St., Suite 300, Alexandria, VA 22314

William Geier and Phillip Renfrow founded GBR Architects to help clients across Virginia and its nearby areas with their unique architecture and design needs. Since its inception in 1978, the firm has worked on various projects, such as residential and commercial spaces. It takes an integrated and hands-on approach to managing each project meticulously and closely monitoring every project detail. The firm’s team of experts utilizes creative architecture and design techniques, cost-efficient solutions, the best materials, and the latest technologies to create well-planned solutions that meet clients’ needs and exceed expectations. Its focus on communication, collaboration, and solid relationships ensures a smooth project delivery and an enjoyable experience for its clients.  

One of the firm’s notable projects was for Fishbowl, a marketing and analytics company that works with restaurants. The firm was tasked to update its lobby, entrance, kitchenette, and eating area for staff. GBR worked with a tight budget to give the building a new, branded look. The new lobby has a custom millwork greeting desk, and the staff lounge has a custom matching bar with wall and base cabinets.