The owner of an Idylwood apartment complex is seeking approval from Fairfax County officials for a proposed expansion that would more than double its housing supply.
AvalonBay Communities submitted an application to the county earlier this month for a rezoning of the 17.2-acre Eaves Fairfax Towers property at 2251 Pimmit Drive so it can move forward with plans to add nearly 600 units.
Currently zoned for roughly 20 housing units per acre, the property would be changed to the PRM (Planned Residential Mixed-Use) District, which generally allows a minimum of 40 units per acre for residential development.
Under the proposed development plan, the existing apartment building would be retained, but its current surface parking lot would be replaced by a second apartment building and other housing options. A new parking garage would then be constructed elsewhere on the property for residents.
The proposed 478-unit, eight-story apartment building would be accompanied by either 115 side-by-side townhouses or 72 side-by-side and 68 stacked townhomes, joining the current 415-unit Eaves building to total more than 1,000 available units.
“Importantly, the proposal delivers the first new rental housing option along this corridor in decades, addressing a long‑standing gap in housing choice and supporting the county’s goals for equitable access, inclusivity, and corridor revitalization,” an attorney representing AvalonBay attorney in a statement submitted to the county.
At least 100 of the proposed units would be reserved for affordable housing opportunities.
“The plan strengthens housing affordability, enhances community diversity and promotes a sustainable, well-connected, mixed‑income neighborhood for generations to come consistent with Fairfax County’s broader planning objectives,” AvalonBay said.
As part of the project, the property owner has proposed approximately 3.68 acres of urban park space, including a trail through trees covering the southern portion of the site, two different green gathering spaces and various pocket parks.
Potential transportation improvements would include a right-of-way dedication for the future Route 7 Bus Rapid Transit service that’s expected to travel between Tysons and the Mark Center in Alexandria.
The rezoning application hasn’t been accepted for review yet by county staff, so a timeline for public hearings, let alone construction on the project is not currently known.
A comprehensive plan amendment also needs to be approved to allow the Eaves Fairfax Towers expansion, which was first proposed in early 2025. The county’s Board of Supervisors authorized the consideration of an amendment last June that would permit up to 576 additional multifamily and single-family attached homes on the property.
