Thursday, Sep 26, 2024

Arlington County Approves Redevelopment of NSTA Site

On September 14, 2024, the Arlington County Board approved Fortis Companies’ proposal to redevelop the approximately one-acre National Science Teachers Association (“NSTA”) site, located between the Courthouse and Rosslyn neighborhoods. 

The site was previously subject to a 4.1 site plan approved in 2005, which permitted a new NSTA headquarters. Fortis purchased the property in 2022 with the intent of redeveloping the site in a way that would redress the deficiency of housing in the County, realize the urban design intent of the County’s various land use policies, and deliver ground floor retail and restaurant opportunities envisioned by the prior plan.  

As approved, the project will replace the existing NSTA office building, Il Radicchio restaurant, and the Rhodeside Grill with a new seven-story, LEED Gold mixed-use residential building with approximately 187 units and 11,948 square feet of ground floor retail. 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The architecture of the building, designed by the architecture firm Cooper Carry, honors the recommendations of the Rosslyn-to-Courthouse Urban Design Study with respect to quality materials, step-backs, details, and overall massing. The building also uses quality façade materials that echo elements of Colonial Village, while providing architectural nods to the existing Rhodeside Grill building.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In terms of transportation, the project will provide significant sidewalk upgrades and bicycle facilities around the site. Two existing driveways will be closed, and the project will maintain the existing private alley which will provide vehicular, loading, and pedestrian access to the building and through the block.  

Fortis will reuse the existing below-grade parking garage and provide a $35,860 contribution towards offsite transportation improvements.  

Housing affordability figured prominently into the project, which will provide 10 onsite Committed Affordable Units as well as an affordable housing contribution. Recognizing the need for larger affordable units to house families, Fortis committed to including three of the CAFs as two-bedroom units, and three CAFs as three-bedroom units. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Walsh Colucci shareholder Andrew Painter and associate Lauren Riley assisted Fortis throughout the process, with Andrew providing the presentation at the County Board.