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Opening Up: City’s Largest Development Project at West Falls Church

Opening Up: City’s Largest Development Project at West Falls Church
The largest development project in the city's history at West Falls Church. Courtesy Hoffman & Associates.

There’s a new Hilton in town! 

Slated to be fully-open by the end of 2024, the West Falls Development Project – the largest mixed-use residential and retail project in the city’s history, with nearly 10 acres of development from West Broad Street to the West Falls Church Metro Station – is beginning to open up. 

And now the city has a new Hilton hotel, with the opening of Home2 Suites by Hilton Falls Church at 171 West Falls Station Blvd.

Overview plan of West Falls Development Project. Courtesy Fallschurchva.gov.

According to the project’s developer, Hoffman & Associates – a “nationally recognized leader in both residential and mixed-use development across the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast” – Home2 Suites by Hilton Falls Church has announced its grand opening, “within the growing West Falls Neighborhood,” an area that “serves as a welcoming gateway to the City of Falls Church with a vibrant community, exciting new offerings and dynamic spaces.” 

City of Falls Church Mayor Letty Hardi (5th from left) attends the opening of Home2 Suites by Hilton Falls Church. Facebook photo.
Home2 Suites in Falls Church has opened. Facebook photo.

The West Falls Development Project envisions, “a gathering place for all, with apartments, condominiums, senior living, retail, hotel and a medical office building, along with an outdoor community gathering space in the center of the neighborhood that will provide over 18,000 feet of open space for community use,” according to the developer's website. 

The Commons at West Falls Church. Courtesy The Brand Guild.

In addition to the newly-opened Home2 Suites by Hilton Falls Church, the city’s largest development project is designed to include: The Alder Apartments, The Oak Condominiums, The Reserve at Falls Church by Experience Senior Living, The Wellness Center (medical offices), restaurants and shops, a grocery store, The Commons (central outdoor gathering space), and seasonal community events and programming, according to Hoffman & Associates. 

Rendering of retail and apartment exterior spaces for West Falls Development Project. Courtesy Hoffman & Associates.

Following is from a Hoffman & Associates press release on the opening of Home2 Suites by Hilton Falls Church:

Home2 Suites by Hilton Falls Church brings all the contemporary features of the all-suite extended-stay hotel brand, including 146 suites with customizable guest room designs and full kitchens. The hotel’s amenities include a 24-hour fitness facility, business center, complimentary Wi-Fi and daily complimentary breakfast. With convenience, modern design and curated amenities, the hotel will further contribute to West Falls’ commitment to fostering a vibrant, dynamic environment that brings people together. 

“Home2 Suites by Hilton Falls Church is such a meaningful addition to the West Falls neighborhood," said Shawn Seaman, President of Hoffman & Associates. “As the largest development in the city's history, the opening of the hotel marks a significant milestone for West Falls, offering visitors a contemporary, service-driven place to stay and experience all that this vibrant community has to offer.”

Home2 Suites by Hilton Falls Church’s convenient West Falls location provides a pedestrian-friendly community with bike paths and access to the West Falls Church Metrorail Station as well as Leesburg Pike (Route 7) and Route 66, which are both pivotal connectors of the DMV region and allow easy visits to Washington, DC’s top attractions. The neighborhood also includes more than 150,000 square feet of open space. The Commons provides more than 18,000 square feet of central outdoor green space in the heart of the neighborhood that will feature artful landscaping, ample outdoor seating, two retail concepts, flexible spaces with moveable furniture, a fire pit and pop jet fountains, while also serving as a welcoming space for seasonal community events.

Guests at Home2 Suites by Hilton Falls Church will also have convenient access to over 123,000 square feet of retail offerings in the West Falls neighborhood with personal care and wellness concepts and a diverse array of dining concepts. Recently announced concepts include Honoo Ramen and Bar, Ice Cream Jubilee, Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls, BurgerFi, SEOULSPICE, Perspire Sauna Studios, Casabella Salon and the early education and preschool program Tierra Encantada. The West Falls neighborhood is also home to The Oak condominiums, The Alder apartments, The Wellness Center medical office building and The Reserve at Falls Church by Experience Senior Living.

By the end of 2024, the Alder Apartments and pool, and other key components of the West Falls Development Project, should be completed. Courtesy Hoffman & Associates.

From the City of Falls Church’s website, here are more details about the West Falls Church Development project:

  • The project will serve as a gateway to the City, instilling a sense of place through the use of high quality urban design, including a thoughtful interface with the adjacent schools
  • Environmental Sustainability with LEED ND Gold v4 (or equivalent) at the neighborhood level, LEED-BD+C Core and Shell Gold v4 (or equivalent) for the office component, LEED-NC v4 Gold, LEED-Multifamily Mid-Rise v4 (or equivalent) for the residential and senior housing components, and LEED-NC Silver v4 (or equivalent) for the hotel component.
  • Pedestrian-oriented streets and easy pedestrian, bicycle, and automobile access to the site
  • Parking garages with spaces for offices, apartment and condominium residents, and hotel and retail visitors, and special event parking for schools.
  • Approximately 215 units of senior housing to allow residents to age in place within the City.
  • Approximately 326,100 square feet of Class A commercial office space in phase 1 and 2.
  • Approximately 247 units of for sale condominiums and approximately 400 units of multi-family traditional and “micro” apartments.
  • Affordable Dwelling Units equal to 6% of the total number of dwelling units (rental and condominiums)
  • Affordable Dwelling monetary contribution for senior housing component of $228,412 annually with 3% annual escalation
  • Large central open space to serve as a gathering place and venue for community events.
  • Approximately 142,100 square feet of retail uses including a potential 40,000 square foot grocer.
  • Approximately 14,000 square feet programmable civic space which includes approximately 3,000 square feet of event space/conference center, 4,000 gross square feet of outdoor space in the Commons that can be used for music/entertainment, and an additional 7,000 gross square feet occupied by performing arts/education studio or school use.
  • An extended stay hotel with approximately 146 rooms.

By Christopher Jones