Developer Comstock Companies is taking another shot at bringing a golf-related attraction to Reston Station after its previous attempt fizzled.
The Back Nine Golf, a Utah-based company that offers indoor golf simulators, has signed a lease for 4,500 square feet at 1860 Reston Row Plaza, Comstock announced yesterday.
The venue will be located on the ground floor of BLVD Haley, the 419-unit apartment building that began welcoming residents late last year and is on track to be completed by the end of June. It will be adjacent to the restaurant Ebbitt House, an expansion of D.C’s Old Ebbitt Grill that should open “soon,” according to Comstock’s most recent earnings report.
Comstock’s announcement of the signing didn’t mention when the Back Nine Golf is expected to open, but Chief Operating Officer Tim Steffan said the developer is “excited” to expand the “vibrant mix of experiential concepts” coming to the emerging Row at Reston Station neighborhood.
“Their arrival demonstrates the leasing momentum and flight-to-quality demand we’re seeing across Reston Station, as the neighborhood continues to evolve into one of the Mid-Atlantic region’s leading mixed-use destinations,” Steffan said.
Started in January 2021 with a single venue in St. George, Utah, the Back Nine Golf quickly grew through franchising and now boasts more than 300 locations across the U.S. and Canada that have either opened or are in the works. The company currently has five sites in Virginia, most recently opening in Leesburg on May 7.
Richmond and Norfolk locations are also on the way, per the Back Nine’s website.
More from the press release on what to expect from the Reston location, which has already has waitlists for memberships and free demos:
The Back Nine Golf is as a place for golf lovers to gather, play, and learn that provides 24/7 access to golf regardless of the weather. Featuring Full Swing Pro 2.0 Simulators that are endorsed by Tiger Woods and are the official technology of the popular TGL indoor golf league, The Back Nine Golf at Reston Station will offer guests of all ages the opportunity to enjoy the game in a welcoming, community-oriented environment. The Back Nine Golf simulators provide the opportunity to experience everything from iconic courses like St. Andrews and Pebble Beach to fun mini-golf and putting games designed for beginners and casual players looking to have fun.
According to the website, members get 24-hour access to the venue, unlimited tee times, guest spots and various discounts, including on Back Nine’s store merchandise, but a membership won’t be required to book simulator time.
In addition to giving patrons a place to practice their swing or just enjoy a casual game with friends, Back Nine will host private events, kids camps and tournaments where participants compete with other players for prizes.
“We are incredibly excited to bring The Back Nine Golf to the Reston community and to be part of the energy and vision behind The Row at Reston Station,” The Back Nine Golf owner Elaine Spencer said in the release. “Our team is passionate about creating a welcoming, high-quality space where players of all skill levels can come together to play, compete, and enjoy the game year-round.”
Comstock had previously booked space in one of the two new Reston Row office buildings for Puttshack, which would’ve delivered a technology-driven indoor mini golf course. However, the concept got pushed out by the consultant Booz Allen Hamilton, which is relocating its headquarters to the development, where it will occupy 310,000 square feet of office space.
When confirming that Puttshack no longer had a space in Reston Row, Comstock said it was still having “discussions” with the business to potentially find an alternative location, but Back Nine’s lease suggests those talks might not have made much headway.
Back Nine and Ebbitt House will join an expanding assortment of retail options at Reston Row, including Tous les Jours, Vida Fitness and Noku Sushi. Inova Health System’s concierge medical service also now appears to be open in Suite 120 of the 10-story office building at 1880 Reston Row Plaza.
