Demolition has begun at the vacant Stratford Motor Lodge in Falls Church, where a local business owner plans to construct a restaurant and beer garden.
Under new ownership, the site at 300 W. Broad Street is slated to become Stratford Gardens, the latest project by Arash Tafakor. He co-owns a few local businesses, including Brick House Butcher and Dominion Wine and Beer – both located down the street from the new development.
Stratford Motor Lodge, which has fallen into disrepair since it closed in 2021, dates back to the 1960s.
It consists of two buildings: the former La Caraquena restaurant and lobby facing Harris Teeter across the street, and a long strip of rooms parallel to W. Broad Street. The rooms are being demolished, while the former restaurant site will be refurbished.
Takafor declined to provide ARLnow with additional information about the new restaurant, saying more details will be forthcoming.
The idea for a restaurant with outdoor seating came up after Tafakor met with the motel property owners to discuss redevelopment. Before then, previous plans to redevelop the site — including a contract with Wawa in 2022 — had fallen through.
Falls Church officials approved the Stratford Garden site plan in December 2023.
A month prior, Tafakor told the council that the new restaurant would include “beautiful green space,” strong customer service and good food in a family-friendly atmosphere.
“I think it’s going to be a great addition to Falls Church, we are super excited to be able to invest in the city because the city’s given myself and my family so much,” he said.
The project is being spearheaded by Falls Church-based Lee Design Studio.
