Gilliam Place
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Recognized for its innovation and effective design, Gilliam Place is a mixed-use six-story development located in the heart of Arlington’s Columbia Pike corridor. Created in collaboration with Arlington Presbyterian Church on the site where the church originally stood, Gilliam Place is an extraordinary model for potential partnerships between congregations and the communities they serve.
Built in 2019, Gilliam Place includes studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, all of which are accessible. Fifteen are Type-A accessible including roll-in showers. The building is water and energy efficient, rated EarthCraft Multifamily Platinum. Gilliam Place includes several community room and multipurpose spaces for resident services programs, underground parking and controlled-access bicycle storage, and an enclosed outdoor terrace with a playground.
All the apartments are affordable to households earning 60% of the area median income or below. The project includes nearly 9,000 square feet of space for the Church’s new worship space and La Cocina VA, a bilingual culinary training center and onsite café. A case study on the project was completed by George Mason University students earning Master’s degrees in Real Estate Development.
Congregation and Community Partnership
The congregation of Arlington Presbyterian Church made Gilliam Place possible. In 2012, APC approached APAH to create a space that would both provide affordable housing and serve as a place of crossroads and connection for the community. The congregation selected the name Gilliam Place for the new affordable housing development to honor Ronda Gilliam (1906-1970), a visionary church elder who was active in the community.
Financing
The Virginia Housing Development Authority (VHDA) awarded APAH $31 million in tax credits and is providing both long-term and construction financing.
Arlington County provided another $18.1 million in loan funds from the Affordable Housing Investment Fund (AHIF) to APAH to cover the purchase of the land from the Church and construction of the 173 committed affordable housing units and $745,000 from the Transit Oriented Affordable Housing (TOAH) fund.
Enterprise Community Partners also provided funding to as part of its faith-based initiative, which has partnered with faith communities to create 515 affordable homes and support 1,200 more in the development pipeline.
Capital One provided loans and is an equity investor in the project’s Low Income Housing Tax Credits to fund construction. The lender also provided a grant of $250,000 to help fund resident service programs for the next 10 years, and additional funds to help La Cocina build its training facilities.
Stories from Gilliam Place
APAH’s Gilliam Place Named 2020 Best Affordable Housing Development, November 20, 2020
La Cocina VA Expands Programming With a New Site at Gilliam Place. Vámonos!, September 25, 2020
APAH Celebrates Grand Opening of Gilliam Place, November 14, 2019
Arlington Presbyterian Church Celebrates Planned Return to Gilliam Place, April 25, 2019
APAH Breaks Ground on Gilliam Place, July 28, 2017
APAH and Arlington Presbyterian Church Strengthen “Community Crossroads” Plan at Gilliam Place, May 12, 2017
Gilliam Place Approved by the Arlington County Board, December 14, 2017
Gilliam Place in the News
Housing Nonprofit and Church Partner To Build Gilliam Place Apartments in Arlington, Virginia, EDGE, April 20, 2020
New Complex Will Aid Arlington’s Affordable Housing Problem, NBC4, November 15, 2019
New affordable housing community opens its doors in Arlington, WJLA, November 14, 2019
APAH Breaks Ground on Gilliam Place in Arlington, Arlington Connection, August 1, 2017
Key Features
- Built in 2019
- Renovated in 2007
- Energy Star appliances
- Swimming pool
- Playground and barbecue area
- Balconies or patios with all apartments
- Accessible units available
- Permit parking
- Low-flow water-saving fixtures
