Above ALX

STORY BY LIESEL SCHMIDT PHOTOGRAPHY BY LAURA HATCHER PHOTOGRAPHY

After creating a co-working space in Old Town that gave entrepreneurs and small business owners freedom and flexibility, ALX Community partners Kelly Grant, Scott Shaw, Trip Howell and Amanda Kate Galbraith knew the next step was to maximize the building even more by adding a restaurant and one-of-a-kind rooftop venue to their location. The result was Above ALX.

Opened in September of 2021, Above ALX offers something unlike anything else in Old Town. “The rooftop itself is quite spacious at 6,000 square feet and can hold 275 people, making it ideal for larger events like weddings,” explains Grant, who acts as COO. “The highlight is the wraparound terrace, which offers 360-degree views of Alexandria, National Harbor, and DC. Inside, the design is more contemporary, with polished finishes and full-length windows. You get to enjoy being in Old Town from a setting that offers the little luxuries of a modern space, and we're conveniently located just two blocks from King Street and a 10-minute drive away from Reagan National Airport—both of which are things people look for when choosing a venue, especially since most events will have out-of-town guests.”

Above ALX has achieved something to fall in love with, and couples are doing just that. “We offer full, private use of the entire rooftop [for] special events, which makes the space incredibly appealing,” Grant says. “Many couples are now prioritizing having indoor and outdoor space at their weddings, which we have, and the rooftop is spacious enough to hold the ceremony, cocktail hour and reception. Couples also like having the convenience of staying in one venue for their wedding and not having to rent a party bus and rush around to different spots throughout the day. Our rooftop also features a catering nook, plush yet contemporary furniture and patio furniture for use during the event. In addition, it's got state-ofthe-art AV equipment that can also livestream, which is now an option people look for, regardless of the event. Above ALX truly elevates the bar as a distinctive venue that brings an unmatched feel to Old Town and our staff is on-site to ensure the highest level of hospitality.”