Major mixed-used development approved near Herndon Metro Station

A major piece of the Town of Herndon’s vision for development around the Herndon-Monroe Metro Station has officially been approved. 

The Herndon Town Council unanimously voted to approve Lerner Enterprises’ proposal for the Parkview development, which would bring a little over one million square feet of development to the north entrance of the Herndon-Monroe Metro Station.

Town of Herndon Mayor Sheila Olem said she was confident that the project brings the town vision for its transit-oriented core to life. 

“You always put really high quality facilities in,” Olem said to the development team.

The plan includes three buildings that could take two possible forms: a mixed-use development with two residential towers and an office tower or three office towers.

In the first mixed-use option, both residential towers would be oriented towards Herndon Parkway and Worldgate Drive, standing 225 feet and 275 feet tall. The office building would be 275 feet tall.

Both options include between 10,000 and 12,500 square feet or retail.

The office-only option would include three office towers that are 225 and 275 feet tall. 

A major feature of the plan — and the subject of vigorous discussion — was creating a pedestrian-centric environment. A central plaza will connect the three towers in both development options.

The proposal has been in the works for years. After an initial filing in 2019, the development team pared down the project with less density and reduced building heights.

The 5-acre site is currently home to an office building that was built in the 1980s and surface parking.

Lerner is one of two developers that will contribute funds to help construct the Herndon Promenade, a planned public open space that will usher Metro users into the town.

Lori Greenely, the development’s land use attorney, said that the project was “challenged by significant transportation structure on all four sides” of the property. 

“It either furthers the vision adopted by the council or it furthers the ability of pedestrian or bikes to get to Metro or is furthers the traffic,” Greenly noted. 

She said the development team incorporated transportation infrastructure improvements to ensure the project was pedestrian-friendly.

Discussions will continue on how to best establish a sense of place in the development.