A Vibrant Mixed-Use Development in Falls Church, VA: Founders Row II

Project Overview

Founders Row II is a residential multifamily construction project which broke ground in Falls Church, Virginia, on March 2023. This development aims to create a vibrant, thriving community on a 21-acre site with 280 luxurious apartments. With a planned completion date in Q1 of 2025, the project offers a unique blend of retail, residential, and recreational spaces that will contribute to the neighborhood's revitalization. This comprehensive analysis will explore the project's essential features, construction process, and economic impact.

Image by The Blueprint Bulletin

Founders Row II is designed to become a distinctive residential community that offers its residents a high standard of living. The project features six levels of residential multifamily rental apartments and a wide array of amenities, including ground-floor retail spaces, a dedicated co-working area, and an underground parking garage. Mill Creek Residential developers faced a complex maze of zoning regulations, environmental assessments, and community consultations before construction could commence. This painstaking process ensured that Founders Row II would meet industry standards and minimize potential adverse impacts on the surrounding environment and infrastructure.

Key Features and Amenities

• 280 total residential multifamily rental apartments.

• 22,146 square feet of ground floor retail space along the frontage of the project on West Broad Street and South West Street.

• 5,000 square feet of dedicated co-working space.

• 426 spaces in the underground parking garage.

• The main building will be a mid-rise podium "wood construction" building, with additional "Townhouse" style apartments being built adjacently.

• Retail spaces focused on community-driven convenience services.

• Sidewalk improvements throughout the neighborhood and a connection to the Washington & Old Dominion Trail.

• The developer will contribute to public schools, libraries, parks, public art displays, and historical markers and will allot Affordable Dwelling Units.

Community Impact

Founders Row II will generate numerous job opportunities for contractors, suppliers, and laborers in the Northern Virginia construction industry. In addition, the project must foster collaboration between local suppliers, showcasing innovative construction techniques and contributing to the overall growth and development of the industry in the region.

The project will foster various community concessions such as public sidewalk improvments and donations to public schools and libraries. With the allocation of affordable dwelling units, the project should be a net positive to the community and produce a thieving neighborhood in the next 2-3 years.

Image by The Blueprint Bulletin

The Construction Process

A diverse group of skilled contractors and construction teams is working together to bring Founders Row II to life. These professionals, specializing in various aspects of construction, collaborate closely to ensure a seamless and efficient building process.

Consolidated List of Contractors

1. General Contractor: Responsible for overseeing the entire project, managing subcontractors, and ensuring the construction proceeds according to plan.

2. Site Preparation and Foundation Contractors: Responsible for clearing the site, excavating, preparing the land for construction, and constructing the building's foundation.

3. Framing and Masonry Contractors: Responsible for constructing the building's structural frame, which may involve wood, steel, or concrete materials, as well as creating brick or stone walls, facades, and other architectural elements.

4. Exterior and Interior Finishing Contractors: Responsible for installing roofing materials, windows, doors, drywall, and other interior and exterior finishes.

5. MEP Contractors: Responsible for designing and installing plumbing and HVAC systems, including water supply, wastewater disposal, stormwater management, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. Responsible for establishing and maintaining electrical systems, including lighting, power distribution, and telecommunications infrastructure, and designing and installing fire protection systems like sprinklers and alarms.

6. Landscape and Specialty Contractors: Responsible for installing and maintaining outdoor spaces, including parks, walkways, and gardens, and handling specialized tasks like elevator installation, controlled access IT integrations or furnishings, and signage.

Challenges and Solutions

As with any large-scale construction project, Founders Row II has already encountered its share of challenges, from logistical hurdles to unforeseen conditions. The development team, contractors, and suppliers have to be able to demonstrate their ability to adapt and find creative solutions, ensuring the project remains on track for successful completion. Mill Creek is looking for local suppliers and contractors to come in and solve take on these challenging problems.

Project Timeline and Milestones

• Construction commenced: March 2023

• Project completion: Q1 of 2025

The 21-acre site will undergo various stages of development over the next few years, with milestones marked by the completion of significant components, such as the underground parking garage, retail spaces, and residential units.

Conclusion

Founders Row II is a remarkable residential multifamily construction project that promises to revitalize the Falls Church area by offering luxurious living spaces, convenient retail options, and ample recreational amenities. Collaboration between skilled contractors, suppliers, and laborers ensures the project's completion while boosting the local economy and the construction industry. With a Q1 2025 completion date, Founders Row II is poised to become a beacon of sustainable living and architectural excellence in Northern Virginia.

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FAQs

1. What is the scope of Founders Row II? The site covers a total of 21 acres. There are 280 residential multifamily rental apartments in the development. Amenities will include ground floor retail spaces, dedicated co-working space, an underground parking garage, and a connection to the Washington & Old Dominion Trail. The project is slated for completion in Q1 of 2025.

2. What sustainability features have been incorporated into the Founders Row II project? The project emphasizes sustainability and eco-friendliness. It uses green building practices and materials such as energy-efficient windows, solar panels, and green roofs to reduce its carbon footprint and provide cost savings for residents and businesses.

3. What are the Voluntary Concessions included in the Founders Row II project? Mill Creek has contributed to public schools, library, parks, public art displays, historical markers, and Affordable Dwelling Units. Additionally, sidewalk improvements and a connection to the Washington & Old Dominion Trail are also part of the scope of work for this project.

4. How does the Founders Row II project impact the local construction industry in Northern Virginia? The project will create hundreds of job opportunities for industry professionals, involve local suppliers, and showcase innovative construction techniques, contributing to the overall growth and development of the industry in the region.