As mentioned previously this week some new construction has begun around Tysons Mall, adjacent to Tysons Tower. In fact this is all the same massive project, and could be a signal that Macerich is not only moving forward with an office and residential building, but also the hotel component of the project located on the former surface parking lot.
It isn’t clear if the new construction occurring across the now elevated tower construction is part of the 2nd story platform that will connect the project over Shop Tysons Boulevard to the mall, or if it is the beginning of construction for building three. Either way it was a nice day to head out and take some pictures of progress and the status of the two buildings currently under construction.
In a couple of months Tysons Tower will be visible from around the area, and a couple of months later it will become the tallest building south of Route 123 in Tysons. At 22-stories it will be an impressive skyline addition, but the plaza and plans for extensive outdoor activities and restaurants is what really makes the project ambitious.
The big question that remains in my mind is how well this platform design will be coordinated with the skywalk from the Tysons Metro Station? With two massive projects being constructed concurrently, with two separate owners and contractors, it will be a huge success if both come together as well as some renderings show. Will Macerich and Bechtel form a seamless transition that will provide a pure pedestrian path or will some crossing of Shop Tysons Boulevard be required due to the complexity of each project? The answer may be known in only a few short months.