office building

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Construction to Begin on Rosslyn Office Project — The long-stalled Central Place office project may finally be moving forward. Developer JBG says construction on a new 390-foot office tower, adjacent to the Rosslyn Metro station, will likely begin in the second quarter of 2012. The project will be competing with the nearby 1812 N. Moore Street project for the title of tallest skyscraper in the D.C. area. [Washington Post]

Taxi Fee Increase in the Works — The Arlington County Board is expected to advertise public hearings for a possible increase in two fees charged by taxi cabs. County staff is recommending the initial base taxi fare (the “drop fee”) be raised from $2.75 to $3.00, while also recommending the extra-passenger charge be hiked from $1.00 to $1.50. All fees charged by Arlington-based taxis are set by the county. [Sun Gazette]

Is Arlington Blocking I-66 Widening? — Why isn’t VDOT rushing to widen additional sections of I-66 inside the Beltway? Bob Chase, of the Northern Virginia Transportation Alliance blames obstructionism from Arlington. But County Board Chairman Chris Zimmerman says a lack of money is behind the lack of action — and that Arlington “by itself doesn’t have the power to get in the way of more lanes.” [Washington Examiner]

H-B Woodlawn, a.k.a. Hippie High — H-B Woodlawn Secondary School — the educational experiment once known as ‘Hippie High’ — turned 40 this year. According to the Post: “Hippie High enters middle age far more conventional than it once was, with many of its students loading up on AP courses and obsessing about their SAT scores and grade-point averages just like their peers at ordinary high schools.” [Washington Post]

New Remy Music Video — Arlington Rap Guy Remy Munasifi has released a new, politically-charged music video. The video takes on the recent Occupy Wall Street protests. [Clarendon Culture]

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Penzance Buys Another Arlington Building — Local real estate firm Penzance is upping its investment in Arlington. The company just closed a multimillion dollar deal to buy a 7-story office building at 1555 Wilson Boulevard in Rosslyn. The building, which houses tenants like the Washington Business Journal and George Washington University, is across from another Penzance-owned building at 1500 Wilson Boulevard. Penzance plans to renovate the 1500 Wilson Property, while at the same time moving forward with plans to build a large new office building in Clarendon. [CityBiz Real Estate]

AHC Pays Back Loan, Expands to P.G. Co. — Nonprofit, Arlington-based affordable housing developer AHC Inc. has repaid the remaining principal and interest on a $1.5 million loan it received from Arlington County in 1994. The loan was used to buy the Harvey Hall Apartments, a 116-unit affordable apartment complex in Columbia Heights West. AHC was able to repay Arlington the remaining $717,167 on the loan thanks to a refinancing. Meanwhile, AHC is planning to expand its service area to Prince George’s County, Md. [AHC Inc., CityBiz Real Estate]

Groundbreaking for Crystal City ‘Gateway’ Project — The Crystal City Business Improvement District broke ground on a $300,000 project that will beautify a triangular lot that serves as the southern gateway to Crystal City. “It’s part of a larger effort to replace the concrete neo-brutalism [architecture of Crystal City] with modern glass and steel,” writes reporter Michael Lee Pope. A revamped northern gateway is also in the works. [WAMU]

Photo courtesy Jay Cohen

BRAC’d Building in Rosslyn to Be Renovated

By ARLnow.com

(Updated at 2:00 p.m.) If you manage a 40-year-old office building in Rosslyn, what do you when your sole office tenant — the Department of Defense — packs up and moves most of its offices to Ft. Belvoir (and elsewhere)?

Renovate, renovate, renovate.

That’s the plan announced by real estate firm Penzance earlier this week for its 17-story office tower at 1500 Wilson Boulevard. Most of the building, minus ground-level retailers like Santa Fe Cafe and a couple of lower floors, will be vacated next year thanks to the Base Realignment and Closure Act, and Penzance is planning to spruce things up.

“Future improvements will include the renovation of the building’s main entrance, main lobby, elevator lobbies, restrooms, elevator cabs and mechanical systems, as well as HVAC improvements,” the company said in a press release.

“1500 Wilson is coming to the market at the right moment and with the added benefit of a multi-million dollar renovation,” said Penzance executive Matt Pacinelli. “We are offering one of the only large blocks of space available in Rosslyn, and at a significant discount to the market rents typically seen in the newer towers.”

Penzance is also trying to talk up the 200,000 square feet of office space by describing the benefits of a Rosslyn address.

“Prominently situated at the intersection of Wilson and Clarendon Boulevards, the 249,000 square-foot building serves as a gateway to the Rosslyn-Ballston Corridor and features stunning panoramic views from its 17-story vantage point,” the company said.

New Office Complex Under Consideration for Pentagon City

By ARLnow.com

(Updated at 6:20 p.m.) Arlington’s Long Range Planning Committee (LRPC) is considering a plan to build a collection of tall office buildings and hotels on a large, vacant parcel of land in Pentagon City.

The “PenPlace” site, as it’s called, is a 12-acre parcel owned by Vornado/Charles E. Smith. Its only inhabitants over the past decade have been a Marriott Residence Inn, Nell’s Carryout and the occasional traveling circus. Once considered as a possible location for the new Nationals stadium or an “Arlington County Conference Center,” the site has laid fallow for years.

Last month the LRPC considered a number of possible uses for the site (all of which preserve the existing Marriott hotel and add new streets to break up the large “superblock”):

  • A “baseline” project featuring a collection of low-to-mid rise hotels
  • A “low density” project featuring a collection of 5- to 12-story apartment buildings and an office building
  • A “medium density” plan featuring five 8- to 12-story residential buildings and two 15- to 16-story office buildings
  • A “high density” scenario featuring four 15- to 22-story office buildings and a 7- to 12-story hotel.

In the end, the committee at least one member of the committee concluded that the “high density” plan — which includes nearly 1.9 million square feet of office space and a centrally-located open space — “seem[ed] to be most appropriate.”

Only the baseline project, however, would be acceptable under the current Pentagon City Phased Development Site Plan (PDSP), which was first approved in 1976. The others would require the County Board to revise the PDSP before it could approve a site plan for the overall complex.

The nearby Aurora Highlands and Arlington Ridge civic associations, however, are both on record supporting the existing PDSP, which “does not allow for any more additional office development,” according to the latest Aurora Highlands Civic Association newsletter.

“Approving additional office buildings would severely change the planned vision for the Pentagon City Metro Station Concept Plan,” civic association officials wrote. “Because office buildings generate the most traffic and air pollution, impacts that would affect the health, safety, and general welfare of the public, this Metro station was planned for a Pentagon City with an emphasis on residential development and specifically limited office development as compared to the intense office development in Crystal City and Rosslyn.”

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New Office Buildings Planned for Clarendon

By ARLnow.com

New details have been released about a major office development in Clarendon.

Real estate investment firm Penzance says it’s about to complete its final site plan filing with Arlington County for the block bordered by Washington Boulevard, 11th Street, N. Highland Street and N. Garfield Street. Penzance wants to turn the block — which currently contains a bank, a bar, a used car dealership, a cemetery monument manufacturer and other small businesses — into a 300,000 square foot office development, complete with a 10-story office building, an 8-story office building, ground-level retail and a four-level underground parking garage.

The development, Penzance says in a press release, is consistent with the Clarendon Sector Plan.

Penzance has completed the preliminary 4.1 site plan filing review process and is submitting this week its final filing with Arlington County for a 300,000 square foot office development in the bustling community of Clarendon. The project is bounded by N. Washington Boulevard, N. Garfield Street, N. Highland Street and N. 11th Street and has two addresses, 3001 and 3003 Washington Boulevard. The parcels that comprise the site were assembled by Penzance over the last few years.

“3001-3003 N. Washington Boulevard will be an important addition to both the vibrant Clarendon community and the R-B corridor,” said Victor K. Tolkan, Penzance managing partner and founder.

“Working with the architecture firm, Noritake Associates, our team has created a development that provides welcome commercial office with ground floor retail space in a predominately high-rise residential area to reinforce Clarendon’s status as a true live-work-play urban environment. The project conforms to the Arlington County Clarendon Sector Plan that calls for a building that steps back from N. Washington Boulevard and N. Highland Streets as well as maintaining and restoring two existing building facades identified by the sector plan to be preserved. The building design allows for a wide range of floorplate options for our potential tenants. Situated in the heart of Clarendon’s commercial district, this project will add to the vitality of what has long been Arlington’s ‘downtown’,” said Tolkan.

The development is designed to function as two separate buildings with shared common services, such as the 4-level below-grade parking deck and loading dock. 3001 N. Washington Boulevard will be a 10-story, 200,000 square foot office building with typical floor plates containing approximately 20,000 square feet. 3003 N. Washington will be an 8-story, 80,000 square foot office building with typical floor plates ranging from approximately 8,000 – 10,000 square feet. The two buildings with complementary and unique architectural details will feature approximately 28,000 square feet of ground floor retail space with an expansive sidewalk area to accommodate café tables and outdoor seating. 3001-3003 N. Washington Boulevard is being designed to a minimum standard of LEED Silver, working toward the highest designation possible. Pending County approval of the site plan, 3001-3003 N. Washington Boulevard is scheduled to break ground in spring of 2012. Jones Lang LaSalle has been retained to market the project.

Penzance has demonstrated its commitment to Arlington County for many years, owning and managing 1500 Wilson Boulevard in Rosslyn, 2000 N. 14th Street in Courthouse and developing in 2003, and owning and managing Ballston Gateway (3865 Wilson Boulevard), a 2010 TOBY award winner. The company also plays a leadership role in the County’s urban arts center, Artisphere, through its active involvement in the Rosslyn BID.

Another rendering of the new buildings, after the jump.

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Police Seek Office Theft Suspect

By ARLnow.com

(Updated at 10:40 a.m.) Two years ago, Kenneth Earl Tolliver’s face was showing up on local newscasts after he was accused of robbing a 99-year-old woman in her Silver Spring, Md. home. At the time he was also wanted for two other burglary cases involving older residents, as well as other crimes. Now, according to police, he’s a “person of interest” in a series of office thefts.

Tolliver is being sought for questioning by Arlington police after several office burglaries in Rosslyn and Crystal City. Cops say that someone matching Tolliver’s description poses as a maintenance worker or mold inspector, then enters unsecured or “under-secured” offices and takes cash from wallets, purses and petty cash boxes.

According to a letter sent to property managers:

In all cases the suspect has been described as a black male, approximately 5’10”, 160 lbs, 45-55 years of age, with a sunken or long face and has ALWAYS worn a construction or medical style dust mask partially covering his face. The suspect’s MO is that he usually brings with him a notepad or other prop and tells workers that he is inspecting the ceiling tiles for mold or other HVAC issues.

Preliminary investigation into this series has revealed that there are at least 10 additional incidents in the region including Prince William, Fairfax, Alexandria, Falls Church, Vienna and Leesburg. Please be alert and contact the police immediately should you encounter this individual.

Police are encouraging workers in secure offices to not hold doors open for strangers and to check with building management should they encounter an unexpected repair person.

At the moment, Tolliver is not wanted for any crime in Arlington. He is, however, wanted for grand larceny out of Prince William County, according to police.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Empty Courthouse Office Building for Sale — The big, white Verizon office building at 1320 N. Courthouse Road is actually vacant — and for sale. After nearly 30 years as a tenant, Verizon left its offices in the building. The owner is now seeking interested buyers or joint venture partners. [GlobeSt.com]

Westover to Hold Easter Egg Hunt — Children 9 years old and younger are invited to participate in Westover Village’s Easter egg hunt on Saturday. The event is being held from 10:00 a.m. to noon next to the Westover Library. Admission is free and yes, the Easter Bunny will be there. [VisitWestover.com]

State Senate Candidates Forum — Democratic candidates for the 30th District state Senate seat participated in their first public forum of the campaign. Del. Adam Ebbin, Alexandria City Councilman Rob Krupicka and Arlington School Board member Libby Garvey answered questions about their stance on business issues and other policy matters. [Del Ray Patch]

Crystal City Office Building Placed on Lockdown

By ARLnow.com

There were some tense moments in Crystal City this morning as Arlington County and Pentagon Police surrounded an office building after receiving a false report of a man with a gun.

Police were originally dispatched to the scene for a report of an intoxicated military service member who was said to be brandishing a handgun in an office on the 2200 block of South Clark Street. One floor of the building was evacuated, employees sheltered in place on other floors and elevators were locked down.

One tipster said their office was told there was a “gunman” on the 9th floor of the Crystal Plaza 6 office building, and that employees were “safe” and “awaiting instructions from building security.”

Eventually, it was determined that the incident was not as serious as reported, and may have actually happened over the weekend. A suspect was reported to be in custody, but it’s not clear when he or she was arrested.

Update at 9:00 p.m. –Federal Protective Service spokesman Chris Ortman issued the following statement tonight:

This morning, Federal Protective Service (FPS) officers responded along with Arlington County Police, Pentagon Security, and Defense Protective Service, to a report filed today of an incident that took place on Friday, April 8, involving an armed, intoxicated individual at Crystal City Plaza 6, 2221 S. Clark Street, Arlington, Va. The individual was found and the weapon was confiscated without incident. An investigation is ongoing and more details will be shared when they are available.

Major Office Development Coming to Clarendon

By ARLnow.com

Next month the Clarendon-Courthouse Civic Association will discuss a planned office development on one of the last parcels of available high density real estate in the area.

The parcel is the block between Highland Street, Garfield Street, Washington Boulevard and 11th Street. It’s currently home to the T.A. Sullivan & Son cemetery monument business, Eleventh Street Lounge, Potomac Crossfit and a car dealership. All will be torn down to make way for a new ten-story office building with ground level retail space, according to a business owner, who did not want to be identified.

Penzance, a District-based developer, has land purchase contracts in place and hopes to start construction in either 2012 or 2013, according to the business owner.

Representatives from the development company are scheduled to discuss their plans on Wed., April 13, between 7:45 and 8:30 p.m., at a meeting of the Clarendon-Courthouse Civic Association. The meeting is being held at the Navy League building at 2300 Wilson Boulevard. Among the planned topics are the building footprint and its height, density and architecture.

Demolition Work Well Underway on Wilson Blvd Office Project

By ARLnow.com

The buildings that used to house Arlington Motorcar Service, Medical Service Corporation International and the Fashion Dreams tailor between Rosslyn and Courthouse are no more.

Demolition work has reduced the three small buildings on the 1700 block of Wilson Boulevard to rubble. A large, empty lot and a pile of debris is all that remains. (See the before and after photos below.)

A new office building is expected to spring up by mid-2012.


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Demolition Nears For New Wilson Boulevard Office Project

By ARLnow.com

Demolition work is expected to begin in early-to-mid December for a new office building on the 1700 block of Wilson Boulevard.

Crews will tear down three small buildings that most recently housed Arlington Motorcar Service, Medical Service Corporation International and the Fashion Dreams tailor. The work will make way for a five-story office building that will include 108,000 square feet of medical office space, 28,000 square feet of ground-level retail and 230 underground parking spaces.

Construction is expected to begin in February or March, once demolition is complete.

The demolition and construction work will require pedestrian traffic to be rerouted around the sidewalk closest to the development, but will not affect vehicular traffic, according to development manager Carolyn Desmond.

The project is being funded by the commercial development division of construction firm Skanska USA. So far, the company has not lined up any tenants, Desmond said.

The building is expected to be ready for occupancy by mid-2012.

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