Del Ray was originally envisioned as a suburban community of single-family homes. However, the growth of the federal government from the late 1930s through the mid-1950s created a demand for higher density housing. The transportation corridors that made Del Ray an ideal location for commuters in the first place (see the February 2023 issue of Greet Del Ray) made it good for renters as well. 

The first large apartment complex in Del Ray was a series of nine buildings at the corner of Duncan and Dewitt Aves. Called the Raymond Apartments, the complex began renting units in late 1937. Six months later, the Brenton Court Apartments began leasing their first buildings on E. Glendale Ave. Then Auburn Gardens was constructed in 1939 and began leasing in 1940.

 

Not everyone was in favor of the growth of apartment complexes at this time. The Federal Housing Administration was called before Congress to defend its underwriting of projects like Auburn Gardens. Virginia Representative Clifton Woodum questioned why apartments were “going up like mushrooms” in the Washington suburbs.

 

America’s entry into World War II exponentially expanded the size of the federal government, and by extension the demand for apartments. Numerous other garden style complexes were built in and around Del Ray during and after the war.

 

After World War II, the demand for housing led to the remaining available space in Del Ray being filled with row houses (like Warwick Village) and semi-detached houses. Available land for larger buildings was becoming rare. When Helen Calvert died in 1964, her Mount Auburn estate (see the October 2023 issue) was bought by developers seeking to maximize the density of apartments. Her estate was divided into two high-rise apartment complexes: The Calvert (now called Del Ray Tower) on Mt. Vernon Ave. and The Landover House (now called The Aspen) on Landover Ave.  

 

The maintenance costs and weakening demand for apartments in Del Ray during the 1970s and 1980s made it more profitable to convert some of them into condominiums. In 1980, Auburn Gardens Apartments was converted into Auburn Village Condominiums. A decade later, Raymond Apartments was converted into the Alexandria Square Condominiums. But, the demand for apartments has not waned. These apartment complexes have been replaced by newer construction such as Del Ray Central. The trend will continue as long as the demand remains.