The former Key Bridge Marriott in Rosslyn might finally get torn down.
Arlington County, which declared the property a “public nuisance” in May 2024 and assumed responsibility to secure and demolish it, has returned the building to its owner for demolition.
“In the coming weeks, community members can expect to see an increased presence and activity, including mobilization of demolition equipment and demolition-related site activity,” the county said in a press release today.
County officials deemed the building at 1401 Langston Blvd unsafe for habitation and condemned it in March 2023.
At that time, the property owner — KBLH LLC — “agreed to an action plan with the county, which included securing the property against entry and removing all trash, debris, furniture and accelerants,” county officials said in a press release.
From the today’s county statement:
“Between March 2023 and May 2024, it became clear the property owner did not comply with its obligation. As such, a Notice of Violation was issued on May 17, 2024, ordering the property owner to immediately secure the building against entry and subsequently raze the building. Since that date, Arlington County assumed responsibility for securing the building and maintaining it in a safe and secure status while working with the property owner to ensure compliance with the Notice of Violation. During this time, Arlington installed additional security at the site — including fencing, lighting, and cameras — and added security guards to enforce trespassing.”
The property owner, a subsidiary of California-based Woodbridge Capital Partners, now must meet specific timelines to demolish the building. If the schedule is not met, the county government will again take control and proceed to raze the property, officials said.
Costs incurred by the county government will be paid by the property owner, officials said.
KBLH received County Board approval in In March 2020 to partially demolish the hotel and construct two new residential complexes on the parcel.
But the project did not move forward to construction, and the property fell into disrepair. On several occasions, Arlington officials had to take measures to clear out squatters and secure the site.
In November 2023, a private security guard shot a teen in the ankle during an altercation on the site. In December 2024, the suspect entered a guilty plea on a charge of unlawful wounding.
In February 2024, a fire broke out on the fourth floor of the building, requiring a significant response from county public-safety personnel.
The property had been purchased by KBLH in 2018 for $53.8 million, according to county property records. Its assessed value in 2024 is just under $61 million, most of that being the value of the 4.6 acres of land.
Constructed in 1959, the Key Bridge Marriott was the Marriott Corp’s second hotel. It rose on a parcel on which the Marriott family since 1940 had operated a Hot Shoppes restaurant.
The hotel began life as a modest motor lodge, according to an Arlington Historical Society description, but its prime location led to multiple expansions.
Ultimately, it grew into a 12-story property with 600 rooms and large spaces to accommodate events.
The hotel closed in the summer of 2021.
