35 for 35: Crystal House 3 Receives Key Funding

Crystal House 3 is the latest APAH project awarded low-income housing tax credits (LIHTC) by Virginia Housing. The $3,000,000 award secures a critical piece of financing for this affordable, new development in the National Landing neighborhood, which will feature 432 units across 11 floors.

Credit: KGD Architecture.

Crystal House 3 will be a 9%/4% LIHTC hybrid development and is part of a larger redevelopment of the existing Crystal House site. In 2019, the Arlington County Board approved entitlements for the Crystal House site plan, consisting of five infill development parcels. The Washington Housing Conservancy (WHC), with backing from Amazon’s Housing Equity Fund, then acquired Crystal House. Amazon subsequently donated the land and development rights for the infill projects to Arlington County. The County initiated a national search for a team to develop these infill parcels, with APAH and its partner EYA emerging as the chosen developers. APAH and EYA will add over 800 new units, 655 of which will be committed to being affordable.

Crystal House 3 will replace surface parking lots and will be co-located with the existing WHC towers. While financing for the development is finalized, APAH is in the process of drafting a construction plan and applying for a building permit. Early site work is anticipated to start in September 2024, including the relocation of existing utility infrastructure, which needs to be completed before commencing vertical construction.