Developer proposes ‘reimagining’ of Reston’s Lake Fairfax Business Center

Fairfax County has received an official plan for the proposed redevelopment of the Lake Fairfax Business Center in Reston.

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EYA Development hopes to “revitalize” the suburban commercial campus by replacing several mostly vacant office buildings with housing that it anticipates will encourage more around-the-clock activity, taking advantage of the property’s proximity to the Wiehle Metro station, according to a rezoning application submitted on Friday, Jan. 31.

“Only through a reimagining of the Center and a transformation to a mixed-use environment will Lake Fairfax Business Park be able to better compete in the Reston and broader Fairfax County marketplaces,” land use attorney Mark Looney said in a statement of justification. “This reimagining will also make it more of an asset to its existing neighbors and surrounding communities.”

EYA first presented a concept for redeveloping the Lake Fairfax Business Center as a ” village-style mixed-use community” in 2022 as part of the county’s Site-Specific Plan Amendment (SSPA) process, which allows the public to “nominate” properties for changes in the comprehensive plan that guides future land use and development.

The proposal was one of several office-to-residential pitches accepted for Reston sites. The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors prioritized a Reston Transit Station Area study to review the 10 authorized nominations after approving a new Reston Comprehensive Plan in September 2023.

The comprehensive plan currently recommends office, industrial and institutional uses on the Lake Fairfax Business Center site, so an amendment is needed to open it up to mixed-use development.

While working with county staff on a draft amendment, EYA has filed a development plan that envisions 886 residential units — including approximately 325 rental apartments, 56 condominiums, 325 side-by-side townhomes and 180 stacked townhomes — on 10 parcels totaling 49.37 acres along Business Center Drive and Wildlife Center Drive.

The existing Lifetime Fitness gym, Homewood Suites hotel, Reston Montessori School and data center building at 1780 Business Center Drive will remain, as will the nearby SkateQuest ice rink.

However, the office space that dominates the campus is currently 65% vacant. If approved, the redevelopment will start with the buildings at 1769-1771, 1760 and 1761 Business Center Drive as well as the National Wildlife Federation headquarters at 11100 Wildlife Center, which are “all vacant with no leasing prospects,” Cooley wrote.