It has been another couple of months since our last status update of the first high rise tower under construction based on the new comprehensive plan rezoning; Ascent Tower by Greystar. The project is part of Spring Hill Station by Georgelas which includes over a dozen new mixed use high rises.
The single tower high rise is sited behind the strip mall which includes Starbucks and Ethan Allen. It will rise to 26-stories when complete, which might look out of place at first, but within a few years (if the current trend for Georgelas continues) will stand along side of several similar towers. Today it stands at 19 stories with 7 more to go before being topped.
In March the tower was barely visible from Route 7, now it is a prominent feature from most viewpoints along Route 7 and the Dulles Toll Road. The exterior finishes are beginning to be applied including stone and brick work as well as some windows. The real success of the project might not be evident until the retail occupancy is further understood; will the project encapsulate the concept of an arts district as envisioned by Georgelas?
One thing is likely, it would be odd to see typical franchise mall tenants leaving the space in Tysons Corner Mall. What that could mean is a unique retail presence and local identity growing out of the new development. Ascent will likely begin leasing around the same time that the first trains will be serving Tysons in late 2013.