Folks in Loudoun used to have to drive to DC—or at least Reston—to find top retail and celebrity chefs. Now, that's changing. Bisnow has just learned that the star chef at one of Alexandria's most popular restaurants is headed to One Loudoun, a massive 40-acre mixed-use project in Ashburn.

Potomac Development Group principal Tom Maskey, whom we snapped yesterday at the project, tells us Restaurant Eve celebrity chef Cathal Armstrong just inked a deal to open a new Italian concept in early 2016, next to Uncle Julio’s and across from Matchbox in the central artery of the project's downtown section. Tom says this latest addition intensifies the buzz for One Loudoun's unique mix of restaurants and retailers. The Chantilly-based firm, launched by Tom and three of his former Peterson Co colleagues in 2010, focuses on development, construction management and leasing, and has worked on at least 15 projects in the last five years.

Potomac is in charge of the “downtown” area of One Loudoun for owners Miller & Smith and North America Sekisui House. The 40-acre swath, where Tom is pointing, will have 450k SF of retail and office by 2017. So far the firm has developed 250k SF and brought in over 20 vendors, including Uncle Julio’s, Bar Louie, Okada Japanese Restaurant, The Fresh Market and Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, which was the first to arrive.

The firm, whose work at One Loudoun started in 2010, has three buildings under construction there (soon to be four). This building will have a 40k SF Fitness Equation gym above 20k SF of retail and restaurant space. Another will be anchored by Great Gatherings. We’re thrilled Potomac Development is one of our Founding Partners at the Bisnow Beltway Bash on May 18 at 5:30pm at the Wynn’s Tryst Nightclub during ICSC RECon. You can join us! Please register here.