housing | FFXnow

Planning commission backs major housing increase on Merrifield apartment site

Published July 29, 2026 at 8:30AM | Updated July 30, 2026 at 10:35AM

Merrifield at Dunn Loring Station apartments sign (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The Fairfax County Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval at its July 22 meeting of a proposal that could more than quadruple the number of residential units at the Merrifield at Dunn Loring Station Apartments.

County staff’s comprehensive plan amendment would pave the way for Malkin Properties — which has owned the 35-acre garden-apartment complex at 8130 Prescott Drive since its construction in the late 1960s — to replace the existing 706 units in phases with up to 2,975 apartments in high-rise and mid-rise buildings near the Dunn Loring Metro station.

News

More housing approved for Lofts at Reston Station despite parking, clean-up concerns

By Angela Woolsey

Published July 28, 2026 at 2:45PM | Updated July 28, 2026 at 4:23PM

Rendering of proposed Lofts II at Reston Station development (via Land Design Consultants/Fairfax County)

An expansion that would more than double the size of the Lofts at Reston Station has secured Fairfax County’s approval, but not everyone was convinced the project is ready to move forward.

At its July 14 meeting, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved home builder Pulte Group’s rezoning application for a second phase of the condominium development, which opened in 2019 with 44 units at the corner of Reston Station Blvd and Michael Faraday Drive.

News

Virginia Hills Church blesses new building on land shared with senior living community

By Angela Woolsey

Published July 27, 2026 at 3:45PM

Entrance to Virginia Hills Church and Kingstowne Communion's new building in Rose Hill (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Virginia Hills Church celebrated the start of a fresh chapter in its 69-year history earlier this month with the dedication of a brand-new house of worship in Rose Hill.

Located on the same property at 6507 Telegraph Road that the Baptist church has occupied since the late 1950s, the new building is more compact than its predecessor, but church leaders hope it will enhance their ability to serve the residents beyond their congregation.

News

Planning commission embraces long-awaited Reston Town Center North plan

By Scott McCaffrey

Published July 27, 2026 at 9:15AM

Reston Regional Library will be replaced by a new facility as part of the Reston Town Center North redevelopment (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

The Fairfax County Planning Commission gave its support last Wednesday (July 22) to the long-term redevelopment of the 48-acre Reston Town Center North tract.

Commission members voted unanimously to recommend that the Board of Supervisors make the necessary zoning and land-use changes to accommodate an estimated 1.6 million square feet of redevelopment, a joint venture between the county government and Inova that has been percolating for more than a decade.

News

Lingering concerns hold back vote on planned Aurora Station at Dulles development

By Nolan Stout and Angela Woolsey

Published July 22, 2026 at 10:00AM | Updated July 23, 2026 at 12:18PM

The proposed Aurora Station at Dulles development near the Innovation Center Metro station (via VIKA Virginia/Fairfax County)

A major mixed-use development proposed near the Innovation Center Metro station still needs some work more than three years after the developer first asked Fairfax County for permission to revise its plans.

The Fairfax County Planning Commission deferred a vote last week (July 16) on whether to recommend approval of the proposed Aurora Station at Dulles development until its Sept. 16 meeting.

News

County board OKs option for more housing in Dulles Suburban Center corridor

By Scott McCaffrey

Published July 22, 2026 at 9:15AM

Development plan for a portion of Lincoln Park development in Dulles Suburban Center (via Fairfax County)

Fairfax County has cleared the way for another office park near Dulles International Airport to be turned into housing.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors authorized changes to the comprehensive plan on July 14 that could allow up to 483 residential units across 27 acres at the southwest corner of Centreville Road and McLearen Road in the Dulles Suburban Center corridor.

News

Townhouse development on Bowman House tract in Reston wins final approval

By Scott McCaffrey

Published July 21, 2026 at 2:45PM | Updated July 21, 2026 at 8:49PM

Rendering of EYA's proposed townhouse development at 1850 Old Reston Avenue (via VIKA Virginia/Fairfax County)

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has approved a redevelopment plan that will result in 57 townhouses ringing the circa-1899 A. Smith Bowman House at 1850 Old Reston Avenue in Reston.

The 10-0 vote on July 14 allows the American Armed Forces Mutual Aid Association and developer EYA to move forward on the proposal, which replaces a pre-Covid plan for two new office buildings. The association, which owns the property, had intended to transform the 5.2-acre site into a new headquarters campus.

Countywide

Herndon, Fairfax City saw largest apartment rent drops in D.C. region last month

By Scott McCaffrey

Published July 21, 2026 at 8:30AM

Entering the Town of Herndon (staff photo by Fatimah Waseem)

A new data analysis finds two local communities have seen the largest year-over-year declines in median rents across the metro area.

Herndon posted a drop of 4.8% to $2,000, and Fairfax City saw a 3.8% dip to $2,010 in the median rental price of one-bedroom apartments in June, according to the latest monthly report from Zumper.

News

First townhomes, playground on former Fannie Mae site in Reston completed

By Angela Woolsey

Published July 17, 2026 at 9:15AM

Walking paths have added for the new Sunset Station neighborhood on American Dream Way in Reston (courtesy Wheelock Communities)

The transformation of Fannie Mae’s former office campus in Reston into a residential community is progressing rapidly.

Construction has been completed on the first townhouse building in Sunset Station, the new neighborhood at 11600 American Dream Way, developer Wheelock Communities announced this week, noting that residents have now moved into those eight units.

News

Proposed mixed-use development in McLean would include housing, new Keller Williams office

By Angela Woolsey

Published July 15, 2026 at 10:00AM

Rendering of Highcrest's proposed residential redevelopment of 6816 and 6824 Elm Street in McLean (via KTGY/Fairfax County)

Another developer is circling older office buildings in downtown McLean as a prime spot for new housing.

The D.C.-based home builder Highcrest has proposed redeveloping the low-lying offices at 6816 and 6824 Elm Street with a single mixed-use building that could include 115 residential units as well as some retail and office space.