Fair Lakes redevelopment

In April 2023, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors authorized a study to look into the future of the Fair Lakes area of western Fairfax and this fall, the time has come for plans to be made.

Phase I of the study calls for 400 housing units to be built on a 4.3-acre site located south of Fair Lakes Parkway at Shoppes Lane. This lot was zoned with a 3-story, 54,000-sq. ft. office building (Parkway Woods) and surface parking lot. The building was demolished in 2023 in anticipation of redevelopment. The proposal would redevelop the entire site with a new multifamily residential use. Adjacent uses include a 4-story hotel directly to the east, and a 1-story restaurant and new 3-story self-storage facility, which is under construction, to the south, across Headquarters Drive.

Phase II will take more planning as county staff is reconsidering the wider swath of the Fair Lakes area. You can sign-up here to stay in the loop about upcoming community meetings and to be part of the discussion for the future development of the Fair Lakes area.

Phase II Intent and Goals

The Comprehensive Plan guidance for Fair Lakes has not been fully updated in 20 years and may no longer meet current planning and development needs. The intent of the Fair Lakes Study is to update the guidance to provide for the development needs of the next 20+ years.

Goals of the study are to:

  • Define and reinforce the desired Identity and character of Fair Lakes
  • Consider the future of the Fair Lakes office market
  • Re-evaluate the desired mix of land uses
  • Determine an appropriate level of planned growth
  • Ensure balance of land use and infrastructure
  • Ensure the feasibility of plan implementation
Phase II Timeline

Phase II of the Fair Lakes Study is comprised of four stages. Currently, the study is in Stage 2.

  • Stage 1 – Analysis of Existing Conditions: COMPLETE
  • Stage 2 – Refine Fair Lakes Vision: ONGOING
    • Consider updates to the adopted Mission, Goals, and Redevelopment Areas/Formats
  • Stage 3 – Refine Implementation Guidance: BEGINS FALL 2025
    • Consider updates to land use and intensity recommendations, design guidelines and other supplementary guidance
  • Stage 4 – Staff report and public hearings: TBD

For more information on development happening around Northern Virginia, check out our development updates page. We focus on a different area in Northern Virginia each month.

If you have any questions about Northern Virginia real estate, reach out as we are happy to help.

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