Growth is inevitable, and more is underway in the Reston development arena. We take a look at the latest in new projects, new businesses and restaurants, along with the Reston Town Center facelift and a new space center.
By Lynn Norusis
Reston Station
Phase Two of Reston Station is underway by developer Comstock Holding. Sixteen acres near the Wiehle-Reston Metro Station, across from Phase One on the opposite side of Dulles Toll Road, will replace a building at Commerce Metro Center with a six tower, 2 million square foot complex that will be composed of 1.28 million square feet of office space, 469 residential units, a 163,000-square-foot hotel, 30,000 square feet of retail, and a child care center. Three office buildings at the site will remain.
The showcase piece will be the 340-foot-tall One Commerce that will feature a leaning appearance that complements the existing trapezoid-shaped 1900 Reston Metro Plaza. Both buildings were designed by Helmet Jahn.
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New Space Center Coming to Reston
Interstellar Dreams will announce on Aug. 29 the launch of its first Space Center location at George Mason University’s College of Science Research Hall and its plans to open a 40,000-square-foot Space Center in Reston. The centers will offer training and simulations in a virtual, real world learning environment created by LED walls and technology that prepare emerging and existing professionals—especially girls and minorities—to meet the high demand for space workers.
Reston Row Updates
In June, Comstock requested a change to the approved plans for Reston Station stating the company wants to change up the development to fit better with current design and future needs. The proposal includes nixing a hotel that was to reside in Reston Station’s Founding Farmers building and a 28-foot tall residential building next to a 140-feet office building on Metro Center Drive. Instead, Comstock proposes a 350-foot-high building with a mix of hotel, office, residential and retail space for Reston Row’s Building D, which was previously planned as a low-rise building. Under the new plan, the building will have 500,000 square feet of development, with 425 residential units and retail. Reston Row is currently under construction and is expected to wrap up in 2024. It will consist of four buildings with a mix of housing, offices, and a hotel as well as two urban parks.
Isaac Newton Square Update
Approved in October 2019, the 32-acre project called for 2.8 million square of development with 2,100 residential units, 300 hotel rooms, office space and roughly 69,000 square feet of retail. Recently, the assisted living facility that was part of the project has been removed and will be replaced with 24 stacked townhomes. At a July meeting, land use attorney Andrew Painter said the overall project could take decades to complete. Developers plan to submit a final development plan for the first pieces of the community over the next few months.
Reston Town Center Replacements
Town centers are constantly bringing in new businesses while other leave and the most recent announcement of Clyde’s leaving Reston Town Center calls for a new restaurant to take it’s place, Sixty Vines. Other restaurants moving in include Fogo de Chão and Open Road Distillery. A new fitness center, the St. James Performance Club, opened in April.
There are also plans to rehabilitate the Fountain Plaza areas. Additions will include fire pits, an expansion for more flexibility and space for events, a deck and stage for events and performances, and multiple seating areas. Mercury Fountain will stay but get a facelift with new landscaping, and more seating, including stadium-style structures and tables and chairs. The pavilion work is scheduled to be completed by early fall. Work in the fountain area started in May and will be done by fall as well.
Developer Boston Properties also plans to spend $2.5 billion to $3 billion on its expansion of Reston Town Center next to the incoming Metro station. The two-phase project includes a 508-unit, 39-story apartment tower under construction now that will contain about 12,000 square feet of retail and roughly 78,000 square feet of office space. In the next few years, the company plans to develop another 700,000 to 800,000 square feet of office space.
For more information on development happening around Northern Virginia, check out our development updates page. We focus on a different area in Northern Virginia each month.
If you have any questions about Northern Virginia real estate, reach out as we are happy to help.
