Nearly $26M renovation of Hunters Woods Fellowship House completed

A nearly $26 million renovation effort at the Hunters Woods Fellowship House in Reston is officially complete, property owner Fellowship Square announced yesterday (Tuesday).

The nonprofit completed its renovation earlier this month. A ribbon cutting is planned for July 21 at the affordable housing community that caters to seniors who wish to live independently and earn roughly a maximum of $10,000 per year.

Fellowship Square CEO Christy Zeitz said the completion of the project modernizes a nearly 50-year-old apartment building and addressed the critical need for affordable housing for seniors in the area. The issue has been complicated by skyrocketing real estate and rental prices as well as an aging population.

“With this completed renovation, we can continue to offer quality apartment living at rental rates they can afford well into the future and enable our residents to live independently in the dynamic Reston community,” Zeitz wrote in a statement.

The project broke ground in mid-February of 2020, but was hampered by the COVID-19 pandemic and related issues.

Although work halted in March 2020 due to the pandemic, Zeitz said Fellowship Square was able to work with its builder and public safety experts to lay out a new timeline for the project.

The project was divided into two phases, focusing first on infrastructure and upgrades to heating and cooling system. The second phase resulted in more publicly visible changes, like upgrades to communal areas, an expanded lobby and entrance, a new media and wellness center, and flex space for activities and functions.

A dozen apartments were also reconfigured so they would be accessible for residents with disabilities.

The project team includes Miner Feinstein Architects and Southway Builders.

Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn lauded the community and its renovation.

“This renovation, including additional accessibility and other modernizations, preserves this landmark and ensures its residents will continue to be able to call it home,” Alcorn said in a statement.