I wouldn’t call it a ground breaking, but you may have noticed that the Hanover Company, developers of Block E at Arbor Row, have located their construction trailer and begun some clearing and grubbing operations.
The project proposes building a dual tier residential tower (20-story and 27-story) with first floor retail that is badly needed to serve the thousands of residents and offices located along Westpark Drive in North Tysons. An elevated plaza on the north face of the building will also act as a public green space above the parking garage below.
The project brings with it several road and safety improvements that are part of the Tysons Comprehensive Plan goals, including the improvement of the pedestrian walkway system along this portion of Westpark. The improvements will provide wide sidewalks, on-street parking for retail, improved crosswalks at the intersection with Jones Branch Drive, and most importantly a full median and bike lanes on Westpark Drive.
Due to the way the Tysons Transportation Funds are structured, this initial project will likely initiate more transportation improvements than are necessarily involved in their minimal road frontage. The funds/taxes collected on the new property will help catalyze the much needed Westpark Drive improvements further down the street as well, so that it won’t just be a bike lane starting and stopping within a single block.
We haven’t received back any word from the Hanover Company on their anticipated delivery and completion date, but we will continue to follow up to see when the neighborhood might expect this new neighbor.
This construction activity comes on the heals of our discussion with Home Properties last month. Ruth Hoang, Vice President of Development with Home Properties was confident that construction for Block A’s 2 residential buildings will begin early in 2014.
That means this part of North Tysons is going to be active in recreating itself over the next couple of years.
The Hanover Company, located in Houston, Texas, stands among the most active private real estate companies in the United States, specializing in the development of high quality multi-family residential properties nationwide. With over thirty years experience and an award-winning portfolio of residential high-rise, mid-rise, mixed use and suburban projects, Hanover is focused on strategic growth in major markets across the United States. Current locations in U.S. markets include San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, Dallas, Denver, Austin, Houston, Washington, DC, Baltimore, Philadelphia and Boston.