Dan River Falls

Once part of the sprawling textile operation along the Dan River, White Mill – now known as Dan River Falls, is one of the last remaining physical expressions of Danville’s role as a textile-manufacturing powerhouse. The Alexander Company has partnered with the Danville Industrial Development Authority to restore the iconic 650,000-square-foot mill to its former glory.

The distinctive, reinforced concrete structure has been transformed into a community hub with a mixture of complimentary uses including housing, office, and retail, nestled within a new riverfront park to be enjoyed by all. This long-awaited development is a reimagining steeped in history, with Danville’s past, present, and future reflected throughout.

Built by Dan River Inc. in 1920, the iconic five-story building was originally known as Mill No. 8 and operated from 1921 through 1996, encompassing 18-plus acres on the south banks of the Dan River. The massive, reinforced-concrete structure was designed in a simplified Gothic Revival architectural style by Lockwood, Greene & Company, and serves as an example of the dramatic changes in mill architecture following World War I. Today, the mill stands as the lone survivor of Danville’s first industrial center for textile manufacturing and remains an integral part of the city’s architectural fabric, contributing significantly to the character of its historic urban core.

The Alexander Company began rehabilitation efforts in December 2022, with the first phase coming to completion in November 2024 and welcomed the first residents to Dan River Falls shortly thereafter. The apartment homes available include a component catering to the Danville workforce, serving those who earn less than 80% of Area Median Income levels. Dan River Falls is now home to over 275 residents, with the next phase of historic apartments coming to completion and available soon.

The Alexander Company is the developer and lead the project. A strong group of local organizations teamed up to make this project a reality, including but not limited to the Danville Industrial Development Authority, Rehab Builders, Rehab Engineering, Timmons Group, Site Collaborative, Dewberry, Stantec, JP Morgan Chase, Commonwealth Advisors, American National Bank & Trust, Virginia Community Capital, Sterling Bank, and Virginia Housing Development Authority.