West Falls Church Economic Development Project

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Project Status

A Special Exception Entitlement application was submitted on February 4, 2019. Through May 2019, the developers will work with City staff, boards, and commissions on the special exception entitlement, which establishes building heights, permitted uses, and style layouts. 

  • City Council First Hearing: February 25, 2019
  • Planning Commission: April 1, 2019
  • City Council Authorizes Execution of Comprehensive Agreement: May 13, 2019
  • Community Meeting on revised Special Exception Entitlement application submission: June 12, 2019
  • Planning Commission (on the revised submission): June 17, 2019
  • NEW DATE: City Council defers Special Exception Entitlement to July 8, 2019

The City will continue to coordinate with the Falls Church City Public Schools during the construction of the new George Mason High School. This development project is meant to complement the high school and middle school campus.

The City will plan to coordinate with the potential Virginia Tech and WMATA redevelopment which is located immediately adjacent to the development.

Special Exception Entitlement Application (3rd Submission - June 3, 2019)

Special Exception Entitlement Application (2nd Submission - April 22, 2019)

Special Exception Entitlement Application (1st submission - February 4, 2019)

City Council Approves Interim Agreement with EYA, PN Hoffman, and Regency Centers (November 2018)

On November 19, 2018, the City Council approved a public-private partnership interim agreement with EYA, PN Hoffman, and Regency Centers for development of 10 acres in the West Falls Church area.

The project will serve as a gateway to the City, instilling a sense of place through the use of high quality urban design, including a thoughtful interface with the adjacent schools.

The schedule for the project includes executing a final comprehensive lease agreement in May 2019, prior to issuance of bonds to finance construction of the George Mason High School (GMHS) project. The private development would then start construction in the fall of 2021 after the new GMHS is complete.

About the Proposed Development

  • The project will serve as a gateway to the City, instilling a sense of place through the use of high quality urban design, including a thoughtful interface with the adjacent schools
  • Environmental Sustainability with LEED ND at the neighborhood level, LEED Gold for the office component, and LEED Gold for the multifamily rental component
  • Pedestrian-oriented streets and easy pedestrian, bicycle, and automobile access to the site
  • Parking garages with spaces offices, apartment and condominium residents, and hotel and retail visitors, and special event parking for schools
  • Approximately 150-250 units of senior housing to allow residents to age in place within the City
  • Approximately 330,000 square feet of Class A commercial office space in phase 1 and 2 of development
  • Approximately 145 - 350 units of for sale condominiums and approximately 275 - 375 units of multi-family apartments.
  • Affordable Dwelling Units equal to 6% of the total number of dwelling units including independent living units
  • Nearly an acre open space referred to as the Little City Commons to serve as a gathering place and venue for community events
  • Approximately 123,400 square feet of retail
  • Approximately 20,000 square feet for a possible music venue or other civic space
  • A high quality hotel with conference space.
  • Learn more about the public-private partnership here.
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About the Interim Agreement


The interim agreement is a step to reaching a final comprehensive agreement. The interim agreement lays out the process and expected timeline for approval of the comprehensive agreement, Special Exception Entitlement, and the first payment for the land.

Terms of the interim agreement include:
  • Ground lease for 99 years
  • Five payments in Phase 1: $6.5M in May 2019, then $7.0M each in 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024
  • One payment in Phase 2: $10M or appraised value, whichever is higher
  • Total base land payments of $44.5M
  • Additional potential land payments of up to $8.3M, depending on options related to the creation of a Community Development Authority and the location of parking, which City may choose prior to Comprehensive Agreement.
  • The City will benefit from a Capital Event Administrative Fee for the term of the 99 year lease, when the property is sold or refinanced.
  • Read the full interim agreement here and learn more about the partners here.

Upcoming Meetings


Find past meeting information here. Below are the next meetings coming up soon:
School Board Meeting
  • Tuesday, June 11 at 7:00 p.m.
  • School Board Conference Room, 800 W. Broad St. Suite 203 (Map)
  • Agenda to be Posted Here
  • Will be recorded by FCCTV and posted later to this website
Community Meeting
  • Wednesday, June 12 at 7:00 p.m.
  • Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School Cafetorium, 7130 Leesburg Pike (Map)
Planning Commission Meeting
  • Monday, June 17 at 7:30 p.m.
  • Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School Cafetorium, 7130 Leesburg Pike
  • Agenda to be Posted Here
  • Recommendation to Council on the Revised Development Proposal
City Council Work Session
  • Monday, July 1 at 7:30 p.m.
  • Council Chambers, 300 Park Avenue (Map)
  • Agenda to be Posted Here
  • Will be recorded by FCCTV and posted here when available
City Council Meeting
  • Monday, July 8 at 7:30 p.m.
  • Council Chambers, 300 Park Avenue (Map)
  • Agenda to be Posted Here
  • Will be recorded by FCCTV and posted here when available 
  • Second Hearing for Special Exception Entitlements (SEE)
Updated Map of the West Falls Church Project and the High School Campus Project