First impressions are a big deal, in society, in business, and in architecture. In real estate this is typically referred to as curb appeal. While most properties gain their value from location and amenities, what set’s them apart from other competitors in the same neighborhood is often their style and intangibles. It’s no surprise then that the aging 7900 Westpark building, owned by WRIT, had an identity crisis a few years ago when its anchor tenant Sunrise Living merged with a larger out of the area company. Adding insult to injury large tenant CustomInk chose to sign a lease at Mosaic district’s newest office building instead of re-signing with WRIT.
After years of being able to get by without any major renovations because of long term leases, WRIT now had to enter the pool of vacant real estate against class A towers that had all the bells and whistles. So instead of bargain leasing, they invested money in reinventing 7900 Westpark, removing its dated brutalist facade, and replacing it with a sleek and modern glass front which will compliment the brick and stone residential tower rising next door at Arbor Row.
What is currently one of the most noticeable (not for the right reasons) features of the Tysons skyline is a fraction of the way through the facelift, and the makeover is certainly a huge improvement. While an 11-story glass curtain wall has become par for the course, and nothing ground breaking design wise, it has solved the biggest issue for the former boxy 70s era office building, increasing curb appeal. It will have a very nice interior renovation to boot.
Along side of the new LMI building and soon to start construction Capital One headquarters, the skyline surrounding 7900 Westpark is certainly gearing up for a lot of changes.
