Community Corner
290-Unit Apartment Complex Coming to Route 1 in Hybla Valley
Upscale development set to open in Spring 2012
A mixed-use development with 290 apartment homes will soon be coming to Route 1.
Construction is set to start on The Heights at Groveton next week. The development on 3011 Memorial Street is close to the Beacon Mall on Richmond Highway.
Wood Partners, LLC, a nationwide real estate developer, is heading up the two-phases project. The first phase involves 290 one and two-bedroom apartments. The intention is to have the first residents move in by the spring of 2012.
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After the residential phase wraps up, Then Heights at Groveton will expand to include 50,000 square feet of mostly commercial space.
“The thought is you are going to have a large influx of office workers both directly on the base at Fort Belvoir and in the private sector,” said Leonard Wood, Director of Wood Partners.
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“It’s the closest, newest project to the base. We think multi-family is by nature a smart growth type of development,” said Wood. “To some, density is not a good thing, but we see it as a good alternative to urban sprawl.”
In order to combat heavy congestion on Route One, The Heights at Groveton will offer a shuttle service to public transportation.
Wood said the apartment complex will also feature amenities including an outdoor pool and gym. At some point developers, hope to involve a local restaurant or offer food poolside.
Wood said investing along Richmond Highway is the right thing to do.
“It can be a challenge building closer into the city centers,” Wood said. “But if you want to have a positive impact on the community you live in, it’s smarter to do projects closer to the city centers.”
While this complex will be upscale, Wood said they are trying to keep the rent reasonable, in part my lowering the square footage of each apartment.
“We’ve tried to create a project with slightly smaller units than you are used to seeing to keep things affordable,” Wood said.
The rent will most likely range from $1,500 to $2,200 per month.
Organizations devoted to the Richmond Highway area said they are pleased the project is in the works.
“This mixed use project is the type of development we would like to see more of along the Richmond Highway corridor,” said Janet Gregor, Executive Director of the Southeast Fairfax Development Corporation.
