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As the new Silver Line stations open across Fairfax County, a case study in Reston may prove that proximity to transit is king.
Google, which occupied 45K SF within a Boston Properties building at Reston Town Center, inked a new lease for 90K SF in a unique, trapezoidal building — designed by Helmut Jahn — at Reston Station, a development from Comstock.
Though Reston Town Center is set to be served by one of the new Silver Line stations beginning in 2020, it will remain about a 10-minute walk from the station itself. By contrast, the pedestrian overpass leading from the existing Reston East Silver Line Station plops commuters right in front of Google’s new offices.
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But Reston Town Center is working to be as self-sufficient as possible. Halley Rise, a massive mixed-use development from Brookfield, is set to be anchored by an 80K SF Wegmans grocery store. The Rochester, New York-based chain has taken the D.C. area by storm in recent years, with new locations in Alexandria, Prince George's County and Fairfax, with plans for its first store in the District.
The store should act as a much-needed resource for the future residents of the 1,500 units at Halley Rise as well as other new apartments and offices coming to Reston Town Center.
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The other key ingredients to the mixed-use recipe are retail, restaurants and entertainment venues. And while it may take a critical mass of residents living within new mixed-use hubs before some retail establishments are interested, pre-leasing for retail space has already begun at some developments.
Famous Toastery, a brunch and sandwich spot, recently opened at RTC West, JBG Smith’s corner of the booming Reston area. The restaurant has joined BGR The Burger Joint, a hip hamburger chain. These restaurants are part of 40K SF of retail that JBG set aside during the first phase of RTC West’s development. The second phase, Bisnow reported, will include two residential high-rises, as well as a retail pavilion.
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