Demolition is in full swing at the Key Bridge Marriott site in Rosslyn, but it’s expected to take some time.
While a portion of the derelict hotel at 1401 Langston Blvd has already been reduced to rubble, people shouldn’t expect to see the whole structure come down at once.
“The property is set to be demolished in phases, and deconstructed floor-by-floor as opposed to a controlled implosion, to ensure minimum impact to the community,” county spokesperson Rachel LaPiana told ARLnow. “The County anticipates the demolition for this phase will take several months.”
Property owner KBLH, LLC and its contractor will set the exact timeline. KBLH did not respond to a request for comment on this story.
Theoretically, the Langston Blvd property is slated to be redeveloped as new apartments and a renovated hotel. KBLH has until July 1 to act on site plans approved back in March 2020.
Given the developer’s past financial distress and lack of activity at the site, however, it’s unclear whether the property owner will pursue these plans or attempt to extend the deadline.
Following significant safety issues at the abandoned building, Arlington County declared the Key Bridge Marriott “a public nuisance” last May and took steps to install better security there.
As of February, the county was working to recoup associated costs from KBLH.
The land at 1401 Langston Blvd had an assessed value of $47.5 million as of January.
