Urban Practice Celebrates Groundbreaking at Fort Belvoir’s Young Village
Young Village, a new neighborhood developed by The Michaels Organization, will offer 200 townhomes for Army Officer Housing at Fort Belvoir
Ft Belvoir, VA – March 10, 2026 – Last week, Urban Practice, a leading architecture and design firm based in Camden, NJ, celebrated the start of a new neighborhood at the U.S. Army’s Fort Belvoir Installation in Fairfax, VA, alongside David H. Dentino, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations, Housing and Partnerships (DASA IH&P), Col. David Stewart, Fort Belvoir Garrison Commander, and developer The Michaels Organization.
“Urban Practice is proud to have designed the next generation of family housing for Fort Belvoir. Young Village builds on our desire to create walkable, pedestrian-friendly communities that encourage social interaction while providing new, modern living space for the men and women of our armed forces and their families,” said Josh Eckert, Associate and Senior Urban Designer for Urban Practice.
The new community, expected to be completed in September 2028, will feature 200 three-story attached townhouses in three- and four-bedroom layouts, each with a first-floor two-car garage. The spacious homes will emphasize comfort and functionality, offering high-quality finishes throughout, beautifully appointed kitchens, and outdoor balconies. The architectural design fits the traditional aesthetic of Fort Belvoir and includes brick and lap siding with generous end porches and entrance stoops.
Young Village is designed to encourage walkability and social interaction through its incorporation of tree-lined streets with sidewalks that connect to the adjacent PX Commissary and elementary school. Open spaces of varying sizes and types are spread throughout the neighborhood to allow residents to engage with each other. These spaces include a dog park, an expansive playground, covered pavilions with BBQs, landscaped sitting areas, and large recreational spaces for play.
Young Village is being developed by The Michaels Organization, which has been a private-sector military housing partner for the Defense Department since 2004 and has been the owner/operator of the privatized family housing at Ft. Belvoir since 2021. The Construction of Young Village is part of Michaels’ Out-year development plan, and is the largest development of new housing on post since 2008.
Urban Practice is also serving as the lead architect for Michaels’ Fort Irwin Apartments, a first-of-its-kind military housing development for single and junior-ranking servicemembers, which broke ground in September of last year. Urban Practice is also designing new residential communities for Michaels at Fort Benning, Fort Leavenworth and Fort Huachuca as part of Michael’s Out-year development plan.
“Our continued collaboration with Urban Practice is built on the shared belief that our military families deserve high-quality housing that they are proud to call home,” said Zach Allen, Vice President of Investment Management for The Michaels Organization. “Together, we’re setting a new standard for on-post living and ensuring our nation’s heroes have the premier housing experience they deserve.”
CBG Building Company is serving as the general contractor for the new Young Village development, and Michaels Management will provide property management services.
Young Village is named in tribute to Brigadier General Charles Young, a soldier, diplomat, and community leader, who overcame incredible obstacles to become a leading figure in the years after the Civil War when the United States emerged as a world power.
About Urban Practice
Urban Practice is an architecture and design firm based in Camden, NJ, dedicated to shaping equitable, sustainable spaces that uplift underserved communities. The firm partners with mission-driven organizations to transform visions into impactful, inclusive developments.
Tags: Groundbreaking, Military