The Richmond retail market has maintained strong fundamentals as the city’s diverse economic base and solid residential growth continue to fuel a historically low vacancy rate. Demand is very strong from a variety of uses, ranging from soft goods and restaurants to entertainment and personal services such as med spas and boutique fitness. The coffee segment, long dominated by Starbucks Coffee, has seen a number of new competitors enter the market. Dunkin’ has been on a strong growth cycle, and more recently Dutch Bros Coffee, Scooters Coffee, Foxtail Coffee and PJs Coffee have been actively looking for sites. 7 Brew has been particularly active, opening two new stores and filling their pipeline with additional sites. However, the real story in Richmond is the number of mixed-use projects that are in the planning stages or have broken ground, with virtually all of them anchored by a grocery store. In Chesterfield County, the first phase of development for Springline at District 60 is near completion. Located at the intersection of Midlothian Turnpike and Chippenham Parkway, work was recently completed on a new 150,000-square-foot office building anchored by Timmons Group, while the 298-unit apartment building, The James at Springline, is nearing completion. …
Virginia
Hoffman & Associates, Partners Complete 10-Acre West Falls Mixed-Use Development in Metro D.C.
by John Nelson
FALLS CHURCH, VA. — Hoffman & Associates, alongside a group of development partners that includes Rockwood Capital and Grosvenor Americas, has completed West Falls, a 10-acre mixed-use development in Falls Church. The transit-oriented project sits about 10 miles west of Washington, D.C., and is located near the West Falls Church Metro station. Hoffman & Associates, a local developer that is perhaps best known for leading the development of the $3.6 billion Wharf mixed-use waterfront destination in D.C., partnered with the City of Falls Church and Torti Gallas + Partners (site design and master planning) to bring the project to fruition. “West Falls is designed to bring people together in meaningful ways,” says Maria Thompson, president of Hoffman & Associates. “It’s a neighborhood that reflects the character of Falls Church while also looking toward the future, with sustainable design, open space and close proximity to transit.” West Falls includes 526 multifamily residences between The Alder (400 apartments) and The Oak (126 condominiums); 123,000 square feet of retail space comprising restaurants, shops and The Fresh Market grocery store, which will officially open in 2026; The Commons, an 18,000-square-foot public green space; the 146-room Home2 Suites by Hilton Falls Church hotel; The Reserve at …
Richmond’s office market stands out as a resilient post-pandemic performer, with strong relocation activity, a notably low vacancy rate driven by steady return-to-office trends and dynamic development, including office-to-residential conversions that are reshaping both the office and retail landscapes. Relocations have outpaced renewals in 2025, accounting for 78 percent of leases signed so far this year — the highest ratio of new leases to renewals since before 2019. This marks an increase even over the past few years, which were already remarkably healthy. Richmond’s overall leasing activity remains stable, escaping the post-pandemic decline that crippled many other markets. The region has also recorded positive absorption for four consecutive quarters, signaling steadily increasing demand following occupancy losses from 2021 through 2023. Return-to-office initiatives have reignited space needs that have been put on hold for months, or even years. As a result, average daily employee attendance in downtown Richmond has risen from 2,200 in 2022 to more than 3,000 in 2025, according to Placer.ai data, analyzed by CBRE Research. While this still trails pre-COVID levels by about 43 percent, it reflects progress toward restoring a balanced office market. Class A and B properties have repeatedly shown positive net absorption when broken down …
GOOCHLAND COUNTY, VA. — Pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly and Co. (NYSE: LLY) has announced plans for a $5 billion manufacturing facility located in Goochland County, which is situated west of Richmond. Earlier this year, Indianapolis-based Eli Lilly shared plans to build four new pharmaceutical manufacturing plants. The Virginia facility is the first of the four to be formally announced. Since 2020, the company has invested $50 billion in capital expansion commitments. When finished, the development will mark the company’s first dedicated, fully integrated active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) and drug product facility for its bioconjugate platform and monoclonal antibody portfolio, which create ingredients for the treatment of cancer and autoimmune diseases. Completion of the facility is scheduled within the next five years. According to Eli Lilly, the project will create more than 650 permanent jobs in the area, in addition to 1,800 construction jobs. The company projects that for each dollar invested in the development, up to $4 of local economic activity will be generated. Goochland County was selected as the site for the new facility out of hundreds of applications. Plans for the facility include the use of technologies including machine learning, AI and automated systems. To implement these technologies, …
Fairstead Acquires 152-Unit Affordable Housing Community in Chesapeake, Virginia, Plans $26M Rehabilitation
by Abby Cox
CHESAPEAKE, VA. — Fairstead has acquired MacDonald Manor, a 152-unit affordable housing community in Chesapeake, with plans for a $26 million rehabilitation of the property. In partnership with Chesapeake Redevelopment and Housing Authority (CRHA), Virginia Housing and Hudson Housing Capital, Fairstead will finance the acquisition and rehabilitation of MacDonald Manor through a federal program that combines elements of HUD’s Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) and Section 18 programs to ensure reinvestment in the community, while preserving affordability for residents. Originally built in 1972, MacDonald Manor features three one-bedroom units, 114 two-bedroom units and 35 three-bedroom units that are reserved for residents earning 60 percent or less of the area median income (AMI). Renovations are set to commence this fall, with completion scheduled for fall 2027. Interior renovations will include modern lighting and plumbing fixtures, stainless steel appliances and new flooring and paint. Exterior improvements will consist of fresh landscaping, the repair of building facades and upgraded roofs and windows. Enhancements will also be made to the leasing office, maintenance and community buildings, mailboxes and the basketball court, as well as with the addition of a new playground. Fairstead recently announced the $10 million revitalization of another public housing community in Chesapeake: the …
TYSONS, VA. — The Meridian Group has signed five retailers to join the tenant lineup at The Boro, a transit-oriented, mixed-use development in the Northern Virginia city of Tysons. The new tenants include TileBar, Game Show Battle Rooms, Fava Pot, California Closets and NOVA Plastic Surgery & Dermatology. All five retailers plan to open their locations between late 2025 and early 2026. Ed Crilley of H&R Retail handles the retail leasing assignment at The Boro on behalf of ownership.
EYA Closes on Land Acquisition in Arlington, Virginia for First Phase of Crystal House Apartments Expansion
by Abby Cox
ARLINGTON, VA. — Washington, D.C.-based EYA LLC has closed on its land acquisition for Highlands Row, a new 42-unit, for-sale townhome community located in the heart of Arlington’s National Landing district near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Highlands Row marks one of five phases for a mixed-income expansion of the Crystal House Apartments complex, including the preservation of the property’s existing 828 units. The value of the land at Highlands Row will generate financing for the project’s first phase, which is True Ground Housing Partners’ 432-unit, ground-up affordable housing development. The overall project is a public-private partnership between Arlington County, Amazon’s Housing Equity Fund, EYA, True Ground and Washington Housing Conservancy. Construction on Highlands Row is anticipated to begin later this year, with the first home deliveries expected in late 2026. According to the property website, homes will be priced starting at $1.2 million. Highlands Row will feature a back-to-back townhome configuration, which is designed to address site constraints. Built over a podium garage, each home will offer approximately 2,000 square feet with up to three bedrooms, private terraces and two dedicated parking spaces in the garage below the home.
AREP Launches Leasing at 199-Unit Adaptive Reuse Apartment Project in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia
by John Nelson
ALEXANDRIA, VA. — American Real Estate Partners (AREP) has launched leasing at CityHouse Old Town, an adaptive reuse development located at 1101 King St. in Alexandria’s Old Town district. The seven-story, 199-unit apartment community was originally built as an office building in 1983. AREP and property manager Bozzuto plan to welcome first residents in November. Monthly rental rates at CityHouse Old Town range from $2,730 to $11,815, according to the property website. Amenities include a 24-hour fitness center with instructor-led classes, coworking spaces, library lounge, six-story atrium/courtyard, onsite garage parking, dedicated dog grooming station, bike storage and 65 private storage units for residents. The property also includes ground-level retail space leased to tenants including Fresh Baguette, Orangetheory Fitness and a wine boutique. About 75 percent of units at CityHouse Old Town feature private terraces. The design-build team for the office-to-residential conversion project includes architect Cooper Carry and general contractor Hoar Construction.
Cushman & Wakefield | Thalhimer Brokers $7.9M Sale of Industrial Facility in Fredericksburg, Virginia
by John Nelson
FREDERICKSBURG, VA. — Cushman & Wakefield | Thalhimer has brokered the $7.9 million sale of a 79,240-square-foot industrial facility located at 4701 Market St. in Fredericksburg, a city in Spotsylvania County that sits about 57 miles south of Washington, D.C. The buyer, Rappahannock Area Community Services Board, purchased the building from the previous owner and tenant, Rappahannock Goodwill Industries. Wilson Greenlaw and Berkley Mitchell of Cushman & Wakefield | Thalhimer represented the seller in the transaction. Rappahannock Area Community Services Board plans to relocate its headquarters to the facility.
Deven Group Breaks Ground on 386-Bed Student Housing Community Near University of Virginia
by John Nelson
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA. — Development Ventures Group (Deven Group) has broken ground on a 386-bed, on-campus student housing community situated adjacent to Scott Stadium, home arena of the University of Virginia football team. Located at 2005 Jefferson Park Ave. in Charlottesville, the seven-story, $63 million community will offer 119 units with a mix of one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom layouts. Each unit will include walk-in closets, keyless entry and smart TVs, with select units offering private terraces. Amenities at the 240,000-square-foot property will include an elevated amenity deck with mountain views; a heated plunge pool; firepit, grilling stations and hammock and game lawns; clubroom with a coffee bar and event kitchen; group and private study rooms; fitness center with yoga and spin studios; EV chargers; and bike and parcel storage. Deven Group plans to deliver the unnamed community in summer 2027. Capital partners on the project include Marble Capital, BOK Financial and Clairmont Capital Group. Breeden Construction is the general contractor and is currently constructing a project within University of Virginia’s Fontaine Research Park. Deven Group, the U.S. development arm of Kajima Corp., a 180-year-old Japanese construction company, has approximately $300 million of projects set to break ground this year.