The Arlington County Board is set to consider a significant wave of redevelopment projects that promise to enhance residential and hospitality offerings across various neighborhoods, including Rosslyn, Ballston, Shirlington, Crystal City, and Virginia Square.
These initiatives, that comprise both teardowns and adaptive-reuse of underused office buildings, aim to introduce a total of 1,535 new residential units alongside 344 hotel rooms.
Most of these projects are scheduled for discussion at a meeting on Saturday, with one slated for the recessed session on Tuesday, July 22.
**One Rosslyn**
Penzance will seek site-plan amendments for its ambitious One Rosslyn project at the corner of Fort Myer Drive.
Plans for the site include demolishing two existing office buildings on the 2.30-acre lot to make way for three residential towers alongside approximately 14,500 square feet of retail space.
Overall, the project aims to deliver 845 new residential units with the following breakdown: a 23-story tower featuring 73 condominium units on the northeast side, a 27-story structure offering 311 apartments on the northwest, and a 29-story tower with 461 apartment units on the southern expanse of the site.
During the recent Planning Commission meeting, members voted 7-0 in favor of supporting the project.
However, the commission raised important questions regarding Penzance’s proposal to contribute about $11 million to the county’s Affordable Housing Investment Fund instead of including on-site affordable units.
Commission member Eric Berkey expressed that while on-site units present benefits, the cash infusion could significantly boost the county’s resources dedicated to housing initiatives.
He stated the current situation shows a disparity between the number of projects and available funding, making the proposal a substantial benefit for the community and Rosslyn as a whole.
Despite a generally favorable review process, some concerns about pedestrian safety were voiced by the North Highlands Citizens’ Association.
The civic group and safety advocates have called for a new skywalk over eastbound Langston Blvd, a request met with opposition from county staff and local advisory bodies.
There were also requests at the Planning Commission for the developer to incorporate bird-friendly glass to minimize bird collisions.
While the county encourages this feature, it is not mandated for new developments, and current plans do not include it.
**Ballston One**
Penzance is pursuing a site-plan amendment for its Ballston One project at 4601 Fairfax Drive, where a building with 328 new multifamily units is proposed.
The existing site is home to a 12-story office building and underground parking, both built in 1986.
The development plan involves demolishing the office building while retaining the existing underground parking structure, and the new apartment building is set to reach 83 feet high, spanning seven stories.
While the developer could build taller under current zoning laws, they argue that increased height would necessitate expensive construction techniques that could jeopardize project feasibility.
The Planning Commission also unanimously supported this project’s approval at a meeting.
However, actual construction may be delayed due to federal government tenants occupying the existing office space, leaving uncertainty regarding when that space will be vacated.
Typically, site-plan approvals last three years, but the County Board may extend this specific timeline to five years given the current circumstances.
During discussions, Planning Commission members had different perspectives regarding the appropriateness of extending this timeline.
The site is adjacent to various landmarks, including Ballston Wetland Park to the west, Marymount University buildings to the east, and several office buildings to the north.
In addition, the developer plans to contribute over $2 million to the county’s Affordable Housing Investment Fund.
**3601 Wilson Blvd**
Gilbane Development has submitted a proposal for the conversion of the six-story office building situated at 3601 Wilson Blvd to a mixed-use property.
This approach will involve retrofitting the existing One Virginia Square office building, constructed in 1999, to accommodate 94 residential units along with ground-floor retail.
Currently unoccupied, the 0.94-acre site will not undergo any alterations to its height, footprint, density, or streetscape conditions.
An underground parking garage with 207 spaces will also remain intact.
The site’s proximity to the Virginia Square Metro station, alongside various residential buildings, makes it a prime location for the proposed changes.
**2100 and 2200 Crystal Drive**
JBG Smith is working to gain county approval to convert two adjacent office buildings at 2100 and 2200 Crystal Drive.
The plan involves transforming the office structure at 2100 Crystal Drive into a hotel featuring 344 rooms and converting the adjacent building at 2200 Crystal Drive into a residential property with a total of 195 units.
While the overall height and bulk of the buildings will remain unchanged, a minor reduction in aggregate density is included in the staff report for the County Board.
Presently, nearly all of the two 11-story office buildings are vacant, but plans will retain the associated underground parking.
Concerns regarding the impact of these proposed conversions have been voiced by both the Crystal City Civic Association and Aurora Highlands Civic Association.
The county’s new adaptive-reuse policy aims to create a more straightforward path for property owners wishing to repurpose vacant office buildings.
**Shirlington House**
Lastly, the owner of Shirlington House at 4201 31st Street S. is pursuing site-plan approval to expand the property with the addition of up to 73 new dwelling units.
The planned new housing will include 59 units in a seven-story building situated at the eastern edge of the parcel, while the remaining 14 units will be designed as townhouses facing 31st Street S.
The existing 10-story building, which dates back to 1963 and houses 436 units, will remain part of this 8.4-acre site.
As part of the agreement with county officials, the property owner agrees to provide 12 on-site committed-affordable housing units for at least 30 years for renters earning 60% or less of the area median income.
With these numerous projects in the pipeline, Arlington County is poised to enhance its residential and commercial landscapes significantly while addressing housing needs across the community.
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