development | ARLnow.com

New ‘Rappahannock’ Development Keeps a 50s Face on a Mixed-Use Project

Published April 23, 2021 at 10:45AM | Updated December 20, 2022 at 2:50PM

Rendering of Rappahannock development (via Arlington County)

(Updated at 11 a.m.) A long-delayed redevelopment at the corner of Columbia Pike and S. Barton Street finally appears poised to become a reality.

A new mixed-use building at 2400 Columbia Pike, featuring 120 residential units and ground-floor retail space, will be replacing the current, low-slung 1950s buildings, one of which holds independent cafe Rappahannock Coffee. The County Board approved a modification to the development plan, including adding 15 residential units to the originally-proposed 105, at its meeting last weekend.

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High Rise Plans Take Shape for Vacant Wendy’s Lot in Courthouse

By Jo DeVoe

Published April 22, 2021 at 10:30AM

Rendering of a proposed apartment building for the former Wendy's lot in Courthouse (Image via Arlington County)

The old Wendy’s lot in Courthouse, demolished in 2016 for an office building that never came, could be the site of a new development.

For almost five years, the triangle lot at the corner of Wilson Blvd and N. Courthouse Road has sat vacant. Construction crews working on 2000 Clarendon, a condo project across the street, have used it as a staging area for the last two years.

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New Developer Takes Over Stalled Ballston Church Redevelopment Plan

By Jo DeVoe

Published April 15, 2021 at 3:15PM

1031 N. Vermont Street (Photo courtesy Jefferson Apartment Group)

The third time may be the charm for a residential development slated to be built in Ballston where a vacated church stands.

McLean-based Jefferson Apartment Group is taking over plans to build apartments and townhomes at the intersection of N. Vermont Street and 11th Street N. The site used to house Portico Church Arlington, which, according to its website, is now found at 800 N. Illinois Street.

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New Developer Proposes Modified Plan for ‘Rappahannock’ Project

By ARLnow.com

Published April 12, 2021 at 10:30AM

Rendering of proposed 2400 Columbia Pike development (photo via YW Capital Development)

The stalled plan to redevelop the site of Rappahannock Coffee on Columbia Pike is going back before the Arlington County Board.

Next week, the Board is set to consider a Use Permit Amendment for the already-approved redevelopment of 2400 Columbia Pike. The amendment “would result in the addition of 6,500 square feet of overall density and an increase of 15 residential units with preservation of existing building facades.”

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Updated Stormwater Regs Could Add Cost, Aboveground Tanks to New Homes

By Jo DeVoe

Published April 7, 2021 at 3:30PM

Lot-to-lot flooding across properties in Arlington County (courtesy Arlington County Department of Environmental Services)

Responding to increasing storms, flooding and ongoing development, Arlington County will be changing its stormwater management regulations for single-family home construction projects.

The new requirements — and how they came about — have developers worried.

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Developer Proposes New Retail Plaza in Crystal City

By Jo DeVoe

Published April 6, 2021 at 3:45PM | Updated April 6, 2021 at 5:22PM

A rendering of the proposed retail plaza for the Century Center development (Image via Arlington County)

A real estate company developing an apartment building in Crystal City is looking to “refresh” its holdings nearby with a new retail plaza.

Lowe Enterprises Real Estate, which owns 2450 Crystal Drive and 2641 S. Clark Street, has applied for a minor site plan amendment to help break up the “mega block” along Crystal Drive south of 23rd Street S. Where a low-slung building space is currently sandwiched between two taller office buildings, Lowe envisions a plaza and retail pavilion, according to application documents.

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With Dominion Hills Mansion Demolition Underway, Locals Ask: What’s Next?

By Vernon Miles

Published March 31, 2021 at 2:30PM | Updated October 17, 2022 at 11:26AM

Demolition at the Rouse estate in March 2021 (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Brian Hannigan just lost a battle he’s been fighting for the better part of a decade, and all that’s left now is to hope the end result isn’t too detrimental to his neighborhood.

Hannigan, president of the Dominion Hills Civic Association, has been one of the voices for years telling Arlington County that it should purchase the nine-acre Febrey-Lothrop House, at 6407 Wilson Blvd, when it became available.

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Construction Begins on New Towers in Crystal City

By Jo DeVoe

Published March 30, 2021 at 3:30PM

Preliminary signs of construction at 1900 Crystal Drive (Staff Photo by Jay Westcott)

Construction has started on two residential towers at 1900 Crystal Drive in Crystal City, according to developer JBG Smith.

The announcement came nearly one year to the day after the County Board approved the project, which involved tearing down an aging office building.

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Arlington and Amazon Kick Off HQ2 Phase 2 Review Process

By Jo DeVoe

Published March 26, 2021 at 3:55PM

The Helix, part of Amazon's HQ2 Phase Two development at the PenPlace site (photo courtesy Amazon)

Arlington County has kicked off the review process for PenPlace, the second proposed phase of Amazon’s HQ2.

For PenPlace, located at the intersection of Army Navy Drive and S. Eads Street, Amazon is proposing 3.3 million square feet of solar-powered office space divided among the lush, futuristic building, dubbed “The Helix,” and three, 22-story office buildings with ground-floor retail.

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Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published March 22, 2021 at 5:00AM

Major Courthouse Development Approved — “The Arlington County Board today approved Greystar Real Estate Partners’ plan to redevelop seven parcels that make up the Courthouse Landmark Block with a 423-unit apartment building. The developer has committed to providing extensive community benefits.” [Arlington County]

Zoning Proposal May Face Pushback — “Two potentially conflicting constituencies – advocates of affordable housing and residents of single-family neighborhoods – could end up colliding if Arlington County Board members next month move forward on a recommendation to allow much higher building heights in some transitional areas of the county. The proposal… calls for allowing (though not permitting by right) building heights higher by 60 feet than normally allowed in a number of zoning districts, if the buildings comprise 100-percent affordable housing.” [Sun Gazette]

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Courthouse ‘Landmark’ Block Redevelopment Set for County Board Vote

By Jo DeVoe

Published March 16, 2021 at 11:30AM | Updated January 25, 2022 at 2:23PM

Architectural renderings of 2050 Wilson Blvd. (Image via Arlington County)

(Updated at 11:50 a.m.) Will the proposed development for Landmark Block in Courthouse be the site of a “revolution” in urban living?

Arlington County says so. And developer Greystar Real Estate Partners appears ready to ignite this uprising, with plans to replace the aging, low-slung buildings on the 2000 block of Wilson Blvd — including the former Summers Restaurant — into an apartment tower surrounded by a pedestrian promenade and a curbless street.

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Proposed RCA Building Redevelopment Faces Some Pushback on Parking, Bike Lanes

By Jo DeVoe

Published March 4, 2021 at 2:30PM

A major redevelopment proposal in Rosslyn is facing pushback from those who think it doesn’t do enough for cyclists and pedestrians.

McLean-based Jefferson Apartment Group is proposing a 27-story mixed-use residential complex with 424 units at 1901 N. Moore Street, replacing the 1960s-era RCA building. Two towers will be connected at the top by a penthouse and at the base with ground floor retail.