Pizzano
Contractors
B.E.S.T. Gift Shop envisioned more than a new retail space. The organization needed a welcoming, accessible environment where its Arts & Abilities training program could operate alongside a public-facing storefront, creating opportunities for individuals with disabilities to develop skills and engage directly with the community. Located within a roughly 150-year-old building in Old Town Alexandria’s historic district, the project also required a thoughtful approach to introducing a contemporary, inclusive program while respecting the character of the existing structure.
The renovation transformed the historic space into an open, light-filled gift shop and training environment designed around visibility, accessibility, and connection. A new glass storefront replaced the previously enclosed frontage, bringing natural light into the space and creating a direct visual connection between the shop and the surrounding community. Inside, transparent separations maintain a relationship between the retail and training areas, while preserved and carefully matched historic details help the new work feel at home within the building. The project also incorporated accessible facilities and significant infrastructure improvements, ultimately creating a modern, functional space that supports B.E.S.T.’s mission while giving it a more visible presence in Old Town.
“The team from Pizzano were very engaged with our sustainability values and went to great lengths to help us find ways to reuse and recycle as much as possible.”
