Old Town Hall Renovation

Project typeCity Project
Project scheduleUnder Construction

Rendering of proposed design from southwest

Old Town Hall is a historic landmark located in the City of Fairfax’s downtown historic district and has served as a civic and cultural gathering space since it was constructed in 1900. Phase 2 of the Old Town Hall Rehabilitation project continues the city’s commitment to preserving this important community asset while improving its functionality, accessibility, and long-term sustainability.

This phase of work focuses on comprehensive exterior and interior rehabilitation, including repairs to historic building elements, accessibility upgrades, mechanical and electrical system improvements, and site enhancements. These improvements will help ensure Old Town Hall remains a safe, welcoming, and functional venue for public events, performances, and private rentals for years to come.

Funding Acknowledgment:

This project is funded in part by $2.1 million in federal grant funding through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s FY 2022Community Project Funding program (Grant Agreement No. B-22-CP-VA-0894). The remaining $1.8 million is funded through the city’s General Fund.

Project Background

Old Town Hall is a contributing structure within the City of Fairfax National Register Historic District and has played a central role in community life for more than a century. The building hosts civic celebrations, cultural arts programming, and private events, drawing thousands of visitors annually. Coordination with the Virginia Department of Historic Resources has been completed to ensure the proposed work is consistent with applicable historic preservation standards.

Following a structural failure in 2020 and subsequent evaluations, the city identified the need for significant rehabilitation beyond initial stabilization efforts. Phase 2 builds upon earlier repairs by addressing additional structural, mechanical, accessibility, and site-related improvements needed to preserve the building’s historic character while upgrading aging systems and improving the overall visitor experience.

Key improvements in Phase 2 include:

Restoration of exterior wood and masonry elements
Repairs to windows and doors, drainage and site accessibility enhancements, interior renovations, painting, and the replacement or relocation of outdated mechanical and electrical systems.
Addition of a publicly accessible restroom with access from Fairfax Old Town Square Park and Main Street.

These rehabilitations are supported by $2.1 million in federal grant funding through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Project Funding program. All historic restoration work will be completed in accordance with historic preservation standards.