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Three underused office towers in Baileys Crossroads have been transformed into 675 apartments designed to combine working, living and recreation under one roof.

Three Collective, known as 3co, celebrated the conversion at 5203 Leesburg Pike with an Alice in Wonderland-themed grand opening on May 29. The project spans 48 former office floors and represents a partnership between private equity group The Wolff Company and real estate company Bozzuto.

The developers call the concept “flexidential,” describing a community built for residents—particularly creative professionals—who want flexible places to live and work alongside extensive shared amenities.

The loft-style studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments feature oversized windows, exposed concrete ceilings and layouts intended to accommodate working from home. Across the three buildings, residents also have access to 21 amenity spaces covering more than 30,000 square feet.

Matt Perrin, chief investment officer at The Wolff Company, said the development grew from a shared effort involving the company, its partners and local government to find a new use for vacant office space. He said the project could help establish a model for other community-oriented conversions.

Three Buildings Packed With Amenities

Each tower has a different emphasis, according to Three Collective General Manager Brian Quander.

One building focuses on recreation, with arcade games, duckpin bowling, a demonstration kitchen and a makerspace. It also contains The Barking Lot, an indoor dog park with a washing station.

A second building emphasizes creative work. Its facilities include a recording studio, two podcast studios, an arts space and an indoor-outdoor amphitheater that can host performances or movie screenings. A shipping center is available for residents operating businesses from home, including artists and online sellers who need to send packages.

The third building caters largely to remote workers, offering coworking areas, study spaces and walking treadmills.

Other amenities across the property include social kitchens, a professional-grade demonstration kitchen, music practice rooms, a virtual-reality lounge, indoor and outdoor gathering areas and a photography studio. Residents also receive complimentary memberships to the Onelife Fitness center and swimming pool across the street.

Quander said the three towers offer different styles and functions while operating as one community. The property is not a cooperative, but its shared spaces are intended to encourage residents to meet and collaborate.

Private Label International designed the interiors with original artwork, acoustic treatments and technology-enabled features. Principal Wendi Stallings said the project was conceived during the COVID era, when widespread isolation pushed the design team to think more deeply about creating functional spaces that could also foster connection.

Outdoor courtyards double as gallery areas where resident artists can display their work.

Heather Shaw Menis, a media representative for 3co, said converting former government offices created housing in a strategically located area close to Washington, D.C. She described the project as an example of bringing people into space that had otherwise gone unused.

The property also connects residents with a nearby Target through an underground route, according to Menis. Residents can move among the buildings without going outside as well.

Free Rent for Community ‘Activators’

Three Collective offers yearlong fellowships to resident “Activators,” who organize enrichment activities and help neighbors connect in exchange for free rent.

Participants have included former Miss USA Noelia Voigt, who upcycles furniture and works on podcast projects, and Frank Grimsley, also known as Frank in the City, a motivational personality who appeared on the reality series “The Circle.”

Other Activators have included a chef and the founders of Wolf Bowl, a business producing nutritional dog treats.

Quander said the programming is intended to make creative tools accessible even to residents who do not arrive with artistic hobbies. Some tenants, he said, have discovered interests such as pottery or photography after moving into the community.

The grand-opening celebration highlighted that creative identity with hoop dancers, costumed servers, tea-leaf readers, an aura photography booth, a DJ, an outdoor dance floor and roaming performers.

Residents Praise Community but Note Growing Pains

Residents described a strong sense of community while also raising concerns about access, transportation and the development’s relationship with its neighbors.

Xavier Vaughn said residents organized a petition asking management to keep the amenity areas open beyond 10 p.m. Management agreed to extend access until midnight.

Vaughn said tenants have rallied together when problems arose and brought their concerns to the leasing office and regional manager. Despite what he characterized as a fair share of issues, he said he did not intend to move because of the community residents had built.

Another resident, Logan, said tenants were happier as more amenities became available. Access had been limited while portions of the complex were still opening, he said, but conditions had improved. He also praised the included gym membership across the street.

Ashley Yrioyen said the development remains early in a 10-year plan and is experiencing growing pains. Her main concern involves tension between residents and surrounding neighbors who share public and private spaces around the complex.

Yrioyen said the property should devote more attention to building support beyond its boundaries and ensuring that nearby residents are included in its broader vision. Online reviews also show complaints from both tenants and neighbors.

Lucia Colombi, an Oakton native who lives at 3co, expressed frustration that no Metro station is within walking distance. The property, however, operates a complimentary shuttle to the Pentagon Metro station every 15 minutes.

For Colombi, the development’s accommodations for dogs are a major benefit. She described the community as exceptionally pet-friendly.

Prospective tenant Bibi Etienne, a tattoo artist, said the campus felt bright, welcoming and thoughtfully arranged. After touring the property during the celebration, she said she was seriously considering moving there.

Three Collective planned to continue its public introduction with 3co Fest on June 14.