- Adds Rosslyn residential, hotel space
- Improves streets, sidewalks, water and sewer infrastructure
- Provides funding to support County’s affordable housing fund, Gateway Park, transportation, and Corridor of Light project
- Achieves LEED Platinum on proposed office building
ARLINGTON, Va. – The Arlington County Board today approved the rezoning, phased development site plan and final site plan to replace two old office buildings on 2.20 prime acres in Rosslyn with three new buildings. Developer JBG’s planned Rosslyn Gateway, located at the base and entrance to the Rosslyn-Ballston corridor from the Francis Scott Key Bridge, will total nearly 1 million square feet of prime office and retail space, hotel rooms and residential units when fully built out.
“Rosslyn Gateway is a turning point for the County’s efforts to transform Rosslyn into a more welcoming neighborhood for the people who live, work or visit there,” said Arlington County Board Chair Mary Hynes. ‘’This is exactly the sort of high-quality, beautifully designed, mixed-use development we hoped that the rezoning of Rosslyn would encourage. We have approved six projects in Rosslyn since the re-zoning, and we’re seeing exciting changes in Rosslyn. Given its better access to nearby trails, Metro and bus lines and more ground floor retail, Rosslyn is on its way to becoming more vibrant and walkable.”
Development to occupy entire block
The Rosslyn Gateway, one block north of the Rosslyn Metro Station, will occupy an entire block of Rosslyn. Located along Lee Highway, between Fort Myer Drive and North Moore Street and across from Gateway Park, it will truly be a “gateway” for those coming from D.C. to Arlington. Special attention was given to the architectural treatment of the buildings, with the heights tapering from south to north to present a variation of rooflines and building form.
Three phase construction
Rosslyn Gateway will be constructed in three phases:
- Phase 1 — 25-story, 490,056 square-foot office building with 8,688 square feet of ground-floor retail;
- Phase 2 — 25-story building with 133 residential units, 148 hotel rooms and 10,001 square feet of retail;
- Phase 3 — 20-story residential tower with 140 residential units and 7,687 square feet of ground-floor retail.
An internal loop road owned by the County, and three skybridges, will be removed to accommodate the new development. The skybridges will be replaced with twelve-foot wide clear sidewalks, crossings and street trees to improve pedestrian safety and encourage connections between the buildings. Parking will be located beneath the buildings. In addition, an automated parking system will be employed, allowing a sleeker profile to the building and a better pedestrian experience.
Community Benefits
Approximately $30 million toward:
- County’s affordable housing fund
- Gateway Park planning efforts
- Off-site transportation improvements
- Corridor of Light public art project
Community Outreach
County Planning staff participated in seven meetings to review the project with the Planning Commission’s Site Plan Review Committee (SPRC). Representatives from the North Rosslyn Civic Association, Radnor/Fort Myer Heights Civic Association, and the Rosslyn Business Improvement District were present at these meetings.
Background
In 1992, the County Board adopted the Rosslyn Station Area Plan Addendum, to guide future development and redevelopment in Rosslyn. The objectives include:
- Creating visibly appealing buildings that exemplify good architecture and design practices
- Increasing housing opportunities
- Developing premier office space
- Enhancing the pedestrian experience
In 1996, the County Board amended the Zoning Ordinance to create the “C-O-Rosslyn” zoning district. The C-O-Rosslyn district allows the County Board to approve additional density up to a maximum of 10.0 FAR (floor area ratio) when it finds the development proposal offers important community benefits identified in approved plans for the area. This level of density is only allowed in the area designated “Rosslyn Coordinated Redevelopment District” on the General Land Use Plan and on sites rezoned by the County Board to “C-O-Rosslyn.”
Rosslyn’s C-O zoning permits site plan projects to be developed in a manner that implements the recommendations of the Rosslyn Station Area Plan, and encourages the urban type of redevelopment envisioned by the community. The development projects approved since the creation of the “C-O-Rosslyn” zoning district include Waterview, 1801 North Lynn Street, Turnberry Tower, 1812 North Moore and Central Place.
Project at a Glance — Rosslyn Gateway
Developer
JBG/Rosslyn Gateway North, L.L.C.
Architect
Douglas Hocking
Kohn Pederson Fox
11 West 42nd Street
New York, NY 10036
Contacts
Andrew VanHorn
JBG/Rosslyn Gateway North, L.L.C
4445 Willard Ave
Chevy Chase, Maryland 20815
240.333.3600
Type of Project
Office—490,056 sf
Residential—308,886 sf (273 units)
Hotel—133,952 sf (148 rooms)
Retail—26,376 sf
Parking
875 spaces
LEED Scorecard
LEED Silver (residential/hotel building)
LEED Platinum (office building)
Location
1901 and 1911 Fort Myer Drive
Project Features
- 25 story office building
- 25 story residential/hotel building
- 20 story residential building
- Ground floor retail space in all buildings
- Innovative parking solutions to conceal parking below grade and within building
- Tapering of building heights away from the core of Rosslyn
- LEED Platinum office building
- LEED Silver residential/hotel building
- LEED Silver residential building
- 4-pipe hydronic system for heating and cooling purposes to service the office building
Community Benefits
- Affordable housing
- Gateway Park planning efforts
- Off-site transportation improvements
- Corridor of Light program
The County Board voted 4 to 1 to approve the project. To learn more, visit the County website to read the staff report and related materials, or watch the video of the meeting. Scroll down to Item 47 A on the Agenda for the July 21, 2012 Regular Meeting.