Demolition Nears For New Wilson Boulevard Office Project

by ARLnow.com November 29, 2010 at 3:04 pm 2,664 17 Comments

Demolition work is expected to begin in early-to-mid December for a new office building on the 1700 block of Wilson Boulevard.

Crews will tear down three small buildings that most recently housed Arlington Motorcar Service, Medical Service Corporation International and the Fashion Dreams tailor. The work will make way for a five-story office building that will include 108,000 square feet of medical office space, 28,000 square feet of ground-level retail and 230 underground parking spaces.

Construction is expected to begin in February or March, once demolition is complete.

The demolition and construction work will require pedestrian traffic to be rerouted around the sidewalk closest to the development, but will not affect vehicular traffic, according to development manager Carolyn Desmond.

The project is being funded by the commercial development division of construction firm Skanska USA. So far, the company has not lined up any tenants, Desmond said.

The building is expected to be ready for occupancy by mid-2012.

Lou

Curious why/how they are marketing it as medical office space. Very few buildings are built specifically with medical in mind, especially on spec. Medical space usually needs bigger electrical service, more HVAC and more wet columns for plumbing connections, all costly if your tenants end up not needing them.
Rosslynite

Funny, it was just last night that I was thinking that the one thing Rosslyn really needs is another office buidling. I mean, you can’t have too many of those, can you?
Courthouse Resident

Do the plans still include “extending” Quinn Street to connect Wilson and Clarendon Blvds?
- Princess Tiny Meat
  
  At least something good will come of this.
- Jason S
  
  The picture shows the street through Cafe Assorti and the new building.
  
  I don’t know what value that adds, but guess it’ll be a good thing if some people want it and nobody can find any downsides.
  - Juanita de Talmas
    
    Coming from the west, it will save you from having to go down to Pierce St. when you want to get on I-66, which is a good thing.
- Just the Facts
  
  The details of the project on the Rosslyn BID website indicate that an extension of Quinn St. to Clarendon Blvd. is included. But, then again, it also states that the construction date is “2009”…
  
  http://www.rosslynva.org/build/development/detail/14
cj

Yes.
Novanglus

I’m glad their targeting medical tenants. Arlington doesn’t have enough first rate doctors — we have to go to K Street or Gallows Rd.
nick

The previous owner wanted to build a medical office. The current owner, Skanska, who recently purchased the land, will build a normal office building with retail. Yes, there are plenty of office buildings in Rosslyn already, but vacancy rates are in the mid single digits! There is plenty of demand.
- cj
  
  But Skanska’s own press release (see link above) mentions 108,000 square feet of medical office space. Do you know or think that’s a misstatement?
jan

another architectural gem
Jim

After 22 years of looking at the old buildings, it’s time for an upgrade. Even a sterile office facade would be an improvement.
Travis

More importantly, when is the 7-11 opening?
Arlington, Northside

It is too bad that we have lost as great a shop as Arlington Motorcar Service. Hopefully the community will continue to support them as they set up shop in Alexandria. Another little bit of old Arlington lost to development/progress. http://Arlingtonmotorcar.com
Tiffany

Anyone know where Fashion Dreams is going? Best tailor in Arlington.
Val

Fashion Dreams moved west on Wilson Blvd–next door to Currents Boutique.

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