JUST IN: Wharf developer announces major residential project in Ballston

The developer behind The Wharf in D.C. is planning a residential development with more than 500 homes in Ballston.

The 530,000 square foot project at 4600 Fairfax Drive would replace the existing Holiday Inn hotel and the aging office building behind it. In its place would be a seven-story apartment building and a four-story “penthouse” building, consisting of 475 apartments and 29 “townhome-style multifamily units.”

Hoffman & Associates, which developed the massive Wharf project and is also working on the 1.2 million square foot West Falls project in Falls Church, is entering the Arlington market in partnership with Ballston-based Snell Properties.

“We look forward to bringing this dynamic residential project to the Ballston neighborhood,” said Robin Bettarel, Senior Vice President of Development for Hoffman & Associates. “4600 Fairfax Drive will offer incredible connectivity in this vibrant community while providing residential options that meet the community’s needs with an innovative and sustainable design.”

The development would bring some additional foot traffic to the western side of N. Glebe Road, where businesses have struggled to gain a foothold. One area of contention might be its location along busy N. Fairfax Drive, which becomes an on- and off-ramp to I-66 just west of the site.

The site is five blocks from the Ballston Metro station, but would be two blocks from a long-discussed western entrance to the station, if it’s built.

Hoffman said in a press release that it is submitting its initial site plan application, which will kick off a community process that will culminate with county commission meetings and an Arlington County Board vote. If approved, the developer expects to break ground in 2024.

The full press release is below.

Today, Hoffman & Associates, a leader in mixed-use and residential development known for its commitment to sustainable and innovative development practices that put the community first, in partnership with Snell Properties, the Arlington-based, family-owned and professionally operated investor, developer and asset manager of multifamily, commercial and mixed-use properties, announced their further expansion into the Virginia market with 4600 Fairfax Drive. This multifamily development will feature more than 500 residences including apartments and townhome-style residences.

At full build out, this site will feature two buildings, the seven-story north building and the four-story plus penthouse south building, with 475 apartment residences as well as 29 townhome-style multifamily units. In total, the project will include 530,000 square feet of residential space all designed to not only achieve LEED Gold certification but also following Arlington County’s industry leading 2020 Green Building Program.

This announcement comes as the project team submits its initial 4.1 Site Plan application with Arlington County, formally kicking off the County’s Site Plan Review Process.

“We look forward to bringing this dynamic residential project to the Ballston neighborhood,” said Robin Bettarel, Senior Vice President of Development for Hoffman & Associates. “4600 Fairfax Drive will offer incredible connectivity in this vibrant community while providing residential options that meet the community’s needs with an innovative and sustainable design.”

Conveniently located in the Ballston neighborhood of Arlington, Virginia, this community will encapsulate the best that Arlington living has to offer. With easy access to the neighborhood restaurants, dynamic retailers and green space, this project sits at the gateway to Ballston. An incredible level of connectivity to the surrounding area not only includes direct access to I-66, and Metro via Ballston-MU Metro Station but also direct access to Custis and Bluemont bike trails which converge in front of the site, offering another option for future residents’ commute and recreation.

“We are excited to bring in Hoffman & Associates as partner in this unique opportunity to transform one of our legacy assets into a residential use that helps to shape Ballston’s future,” says Michael Eastwood, Senior Vice President of Snell Properties. “Our hotel was built in 1986, and Ballston has evolved significantly since then with pent up demand for more quality housing. Our partnership will deliver an exceptional place to live in a highly desirable location.”

The announcement of 4600 Fairfax Drive further signals Hoffman & Associates’ growth in the region. Known for their signature project The Wharf, the $3.6 billion, world-class, mixed-use neighborhood that established Washington, D.C. as a true waterfront city, Hoffman & Associates continues to expand its footprint across the mid-Atlantic. 4600 Fairfax Drive will mark Hoffman & Associates’ third major active project in Northern Virginia, with West Falls, its 1.2 million square-foot, nearly 10-acre mixed-use development in Falls Church, set to break ground in the Spring of 2022, and a project with WMATA to revitalize the West Falls Church Metro Station site into a mixed-use, community-serving development.

“We look forward to bringing our community-focused development approach to the Ballston neighborhood,” said Shawn Seaman, President of Hoffman & Associates. “We welcome the opportunity to work closely with the existing neighbors and community to deliver a residential development that not only complements this neighborhood but continues to provide value for years to come.”

4600 Fairfax Drive is expected to break ground in 2024.

Photos via Google Maps as marked