For over nine decades, the Liberty Crest Apartments were synonymous with the Lorton Reformatory, a prison located in Lorton, Virginia, which functioned as a correctional facility from its establishment in 1910 until its closure in 2001. Notably, this site is remembered as the detention center for many suffragists who protested for women's rights, particularly after the Silent Sentinels conducted pickets at the White House in 1917. This crucial moment in history is often referred to as the "Night of Terror," a term that reflects the mistreatment suffered by the suffragist prisoners during their incarceration, as documented by the Library of Congress.

The Lorton Reformatory was built with the intention of reforming rather than merely punishing inmates, a concept that was progressive for its time. Upon its closure in 2001, the sprawling 2,324-acre property, which included agricultural land, was acquired by Fairfax County for $4.2 million in 2002. Following the acquisition, the county undertook an ambitious project to transform the former prison grounds into a community-focused complex; this included converting the site into a park, a golf course, three educational institutions, and an arts center.

In 2008, Fairfax County partnered with the Alexander Company, a Wisconsin-based developer known for its commitment to preserving historic sites through adaptive reuse. Their mission was to convert the remaining structures of the Lorton Reformatory into residential apartments. David Vos, a project manager with the Alexander Company, expressed the unique potential for these buildings, stating, "The Lorton Reformatory was a good set of buildings to be converted into residential because it was a reform-era prison. Unlike most prisons that tend to be large footprint dark buildings without very many windows, these actually had an abundance of light and had quite a bit of character to them, so they laid out very nicely for apartments."

As a result of this vision, the Liberty Crest Apartments were born, featuring a total of 165 units. Of these, 44 have been designated as affordable low-income housing, ensuring that a diverse population can call this historic site home. The apartment complex comprises 84 one-bedroom units and 81 two-bedroom units, with monthly rent priced between $1,372 and $2,700. Each apartment is equipped with modern amenities, including in-unit washers and dryers, adding convenience to the living experience. The renovation project was substantial, taking nearly two years and costing approximately $64 million to complete, with funding primarily sourced from historic tax credits, bond financing, and low-income housing tax credits. Virginia Housing played a pivotal role by providing the first mortgage for the project, with monthly payments amounting to about $125,000. Since opening its doors in June 2017, the Liberty Crest Apartments have reached full occupancy shortly after, a testament to the demand and appeal of the revitalized space.

The community's response to the transformation has been mixed but largely positive. Vos noted, "The reaction from the community varied quite a bit. A lot of people really felt it was important to preserve that history. However, there were people that really focused on the later years of the prison when prisoners were mistreated. But from our standpoint, we really felt that it's important to preserve history so you can learn from the past so that you don't make those mistakes again in the future." Walking around the campus, visitors can still see reminders of its former life as a reformatory, including signs detailing behavioral expectations for both visitors and residents.

The naming of Liberty Crest Apartments holds significant meaning, reflecting an intention to honor the legacy of the site while also liberating it from its darker history. "The reason we chose Liberty for the name was we really felt that we were liberating these buildings from its more recent dark past," explained Vos. The old prison cafeteria has since been transformed into a vibrant community space, and residents enjoy a range of amenities, such as a yoga studio, gym, community pool, and even two playgrounds for children.

Additionally, the property features a field with a grandstand originally constructed by the former inmates from bricks they made themselves, which now serves as an all-purpose area for community activities. Beyond residential living, the Liberty Crest property is home to various facilities, including a preschool, dental office, restaurants, and retail shops, making it a bustling hub for both residents and local visitors.

As the project continues to evolve, Vos and the Alexander Company are exploring further development opportunities. They are currently focused on converting a former power plant located on the site into an additional 10 apartments, with plans to also repurpose the former guard quarters. The Liberty Crest Apartments, now almost nine years since their opening, stand as a testament to the power of transformative development, blending history with modern community living.