Breaking Ground on Placemaking Projects at Northern Virginia’s National Landing

Washington, D.C.–area real estate investment trust JBG Smith has broken ground on two new outdoor placemaking destinations in Northern Virginia’s National Landing. The area will eventually be home to Amazon’s HQ2.

Washington, D.C.–area real estate investment trust JBG Smith has broken ground on two new outdoor placemaking destinations in National Landing. The area will eventually be home to Amazon’s HQ2.

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Water Park at 1601 Crystal Drive in Arlington, Virginia. (JBG Smith)

JBG Smith plans to reimagine Water Park at 1601 Crystal Drive as a 1.6-acre (0.65 ha) community gathering place animated by innovative dining with a focus on local, women- and minority-owned businesses and significant landscape improvements. Plans call for 4,875 square feet (452.9 sq m) of new food and beverage space, highlighted by nine 300-square-foot (27.9 sq m) restaurant kiosks along the perimeter of the park, a 1,400-square-foot (130 sq m) full-service restaurant set into the hillside, and an iconic Water Bar and terrace perched atop a modernized fountain water wall. The kiosks will be surrounded by seating areas for the public to enjoy.

Additional elements of the redesigned Water Park include a live performance stage, an interactive water feature, public art installations, and a trailhead building adjacent to the Mt. Vernon Trail equipped with public restrooms and bike facilities. JBG Smith is also coordinating with Virginia Railway Express on a handicap accessible connection to the future entrance of the relocated commuter rail station.

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Dining in the Park concept at 2121 Crystal Drive, Arlington, Virginia. (JBG Smith)

Dining in the Park will similarly transform and reactivate the courtyard in front of 2121 Crystal Drive with a novel culinary experience set among more than an acre of greenery. As previously announced, JBG Smith is collaborating with Chef Enrique Limardo and the Seven Restaurant Group team on Surreal, a 5,587-square-foot (519 sq m) dining destination featuring year-round outdoor seating. Plans call for the complete renovation of the surrounding green space for a variety of flexible uses.

JBG Smith is working with design architect Elkus Manfredi and landscape architect Hoerr Schaudt on Water Park and Dining in the Park, both of which are expected to deliver in 2023.

In 2021, JBG Smith received approval from the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority to establish a consumption zone in National Landing, allowing patrons of Water Park’s licensed alcohol retailers and Dining in the Park’s Surreal to enjoy beverages within its boundaries. Through this new Commercial Lifestyle Center designation, visitors and residents will be able to “sip and stroll” throughout the parks.

Brett Widness is the managing editor of Urban Land. Previously, he worked in online editorial at the Washington Post, AARP, and AOL, now part of Yahoo!
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