Report: Reston Town Center pavilion, fountain to get major upgrades

Reston Town Center’s common areas will get their first major upgrades in more than 30 years, according to a report.

Boston Properties is preparing to launch a multi-million-dollar renovation of Fountain Plaza and areas near the pavilion, the Washington Business Journal reports.

The company plans to install tiered seating, landscaping, new plants, and trees near the fountain area. The upper base of the fountain and the Mercury statue will remain, according to the report. More outdoor seating in that area will also be available.

Alan Ward, a principal at Sasaki Associates, a Massachusetts-based company, has been hired to complete the project.

At the pavilion area, two fire pits will be added close to Market Street, along with two overhead fans, activity zones like an oversized chess board, and artificial turf.

The work will begin later this month through early fall, the report states.

Here’s what the project team told WBJ about the renovation:

“From a structural perspective, there really hasn’t been any sign improvements to that space since —  it’s been 30-plus years,” said Jake Stroman, executive vice president and co-head of Boston Properties’ D.C. region. “What we’re doing is we’re updating that fountain area, putting in tiered seating, landscaping, new plants and trees. It will just be a more enjoyable space.”
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“People use space differently these days, so we’re really future-proofing the space,” Stroman said. “So many successful town centers are town centers where people can park their car and stay for hours. We believe we have that environment already, but we wanted to make it better.”

Several tenants are turning over in the mixed-use center. Clyde’s — which as called RTC home for 31 years — is closing in May. A DC-based Peruvian restaurant is taking over space vacated by Vapiano, and a new steakhouse will join the ranks of another steakhouse in the town center.