The White Mill, a five‑storey reinforced‑concrete structure built by Dan River Inc. in 1920, served as Danville’s textile powerhouse for 75 years before shutting its doors in 1996.
In May 2021 the city’s Industrial Development Authority teamed with The Alexander Company to convert the derelict mill into a mixed‑use complex. The plan called for 150 apartments and 110,000 sqft of commercial space in Phase I, with a second phase adding 100 more units.
State and federal historic tax credits, along with private investment, underpinned the $110 million budget. The Alexander Company will spearhead the residential component, while the city will oversee commercial and public elements.
Rehabilitation kicked off in December 2022, and the first phase—190 apartments, 147,000 sqft of office space—was completed in November 2024. Early tenants include 275 residents, many earning less than 80% of the area’s median income.
The complex now hosts Danville’s Office of Economic Development and Tourism, Parks and Recreation, and private firms such as Dewberry. A planned riverfront park and extension of the Riverwalk Trail will link the site to the Dan River.
The project aims for full completion in 2026, with remaining 100 apartments slated for the second phase. City officials say the redevelopment will revitalize Danville’s historic district and stimulate economic growth.