More Updates on Clarendon Center

Northern Virginia Magazine gave a brief write up of a few of the new restaurants coming to the now under construction Clarendon Center, as well as a few rumors of possible tenets. Thanks to Paul for the link. Here is my updated tally:

Restaurants:

• Burapa Thai Restaurant
• Circa
• Red Velvet Cupcakery
• Pete's New Haven APizza
• BGR Burger Joint
• Crumbs Bake Shop
  

Commercial:

• Members Cleaners
• Burke & Herbert Bank

Residential:

• Lyon Place

Rumors:

• Trader Joe's
• Hookah Lounge
• Mad Rose Tavern
• Matchbox Pizza

Clarendon Center coming December 2010

The massive Clarendon Center project has been rising out of the ground very quickly and is getting close to completion. Some of the tenants are claiming to open this December. Started over two years ago, the two tower project will change the Clarendon skyline and add lots of new venues and restaurants to the area, including:

Restaurants:

• Burapa Thai Restaurant
• Circa
• Red Velvet Cupcakery
• Pete's New Haven APizza
• BGR Burger Joint

Commercial:

• Members Cleaners
• Burke & Herbert Bank

Residential:

• Lyon Place

Rumor has it that Trader Joe's might be interested in one of the larger spaces. Crossing my fingers for that to be true!

Clarendon Center Construction Update

Construction of Clarendon Center is coming along at an impressive rate at the corners of Clarendon Blvd, Highland Street, and Garfield Street.

The south project tower's skeleton is completed up to its 12th floor roof, and steel framing of the exterior walls has begun on floors 2 through 4. Also I've noticed some of the exterior details and window trimming have also been installed.

Pictured to the right are comparison photos of what the tower looks like now and Saul Centers' rendition of what it will appear when completed.

On the north side behind Hard Times, construction completed on the foundation and what appears to be as four stories of underground parking has been framed.

Clarendon 3131 Under Construction

One interesting sign that the local housing market is starting to rebound in Arlington is the construction of new condos.

I'm usually apprehensive about talk of new condos popping up close-by, as Clarendon already seems over saturated with dense residential housing like 1021, Station Square, Zoso, Clarendon Reserve, The Clarendon Apartments, and Phoenix to name just a few high rises. Plus with the new 10 story apartment tower going up at Clarendon Center I start to wonder if there is more supply than demand near this Orange line station.

But Clarendon 3131 looks to be different than most new condos. It is several blocks south of the Metro station, which limits its height to only four stories. The proposed layout of the building is two four story townhouses that sandwich 16 single floor condos.

I've been watching the construction continue along with some of my neighbors, and will be interested if the million dollar price tag for the townhouses will hold up at the end of the year.

New restaurants in Clarendon near Zoso

Several new restaurants appear to be opening soon just south of the main Clarendon strip.

Local resident Paul Moon was kind enough to pass along this tip and photos. The storefronts at the new Zoso Flats building at 1025 N. Fillmore Street are now advertising some up and coming restaurants. Two much-needed additions are coming to the neighborhood: American Flatbread (gourmet pizza) and Artisan Confections (high-art chocolatiers).

I'm happy to see that area becoming more populated with light commercial establishments, as there is not much there currently besides Kinder Haus Toys. That block went through some growing in the past few years as Zoso was turned from condos into apartments, and I think these new restaurants moving in will help anchor that neighborhood a little more.

Thanks Paul!

Clarendon Center Update

A tall fixed crane was erected today on the North side of the Clarendon Center project. The raising of the crane closed off Garfield street between Wilson and Clarendon Blvds.

It towers behind Hard Times and is now the third crane to be used in the project.

The south side project is continuing quickly, with 5 out of the total 12 stories framed.

Construction stalled on 2900 10th St.?

There is still a vacant lot where Sala Thai and CVS once stood at 2900 10th Street. The two retailers where moved out to make room for a four story condo/town house development called "Garfield Park".

I'm not sure if those plans have changed, but it doesn't appear any work is being done past tearing down the previous building. Their site garfieldparkcondos.com is now a spam placeholder.

It's odd walking past and noticing the same checkered floor of Sala Thai now exposed and bare without walls.

Clarendon Center construction continues

The central tower of the three high rise project called Clarendon Center continues to grow. Construction has finished on the underground parking garage, and now the second floor's concrete skeleton is visible.

When completed, the complex on the corners of Clarendon Blvd and Highland Street will feature one apartment building and two office towers varying in height from 10 to 12 stories.

Construction on Clarendon Center continues

Its very quiet in Arlington right now, as most folks have either gone out of town for the Memorial Day holiday or are visiting the monuments in DC.

Construction is at a steady pace at the tri-building Clarendon Center. Both lots on either side of Clarendon Blvd are simultaneously being worked on. The pic on the right is of the north side lot behind Hard Times, which is still a hole in the ground. The south lot project is up to ground level now, prompting the builders to construct a covered wood walkway for pedestrian saftety.

Monster Band is playing at Whitlow's tonight, and Last Train Home is showcasing at Iota for the second night in a row. Although I'm not expecting many to be out enjoying the warm and humid nightlife tonight.

Construction Cluster&%*$ begins @ Tysons

Construction Cluster*&%$ @ Tysons

The mega project of expanding the choked highways and adding a new Metro station to Tyson's Corner has begun. And things are going to get to get worse long before traffic gets better, if it ever does.

123 is losing lanes and 495 is sure to slow down here. Try to avoid both. Actually, try avoiding commuting anywhere in Northern Virginia until flying cars are invented.

Quote from VDOT:

The left lanes in each direction of Chain Bridge Road (Route 123) under the Capital Beltway will be closed until November as part of a project that will add four new high-occupancy toll (HOT) lanes to the Beltway.

Clarendon Center update

Construction continues on the Clarendon's twin chasms on Highland and Clarendon Blvd. Two cranes hover over what will be Clarendon Center in a few years.

The underground parking garage is being built on the south side of the project, while serious work hasn't really begun behind Hard Times yet.

The Club to replace Arlington Funeral Home

I've always wondered how long the Arlington Funeral Home would last in Ballston. The single story building and very large ground parking lot looks very out of place flanked by high rise apartments in the quite urban downtown Arlington.

Located on the corner of Fairfax Blvd and Quincy Street, it will be replace by a luxury residential building built by WCI. The builders don't have any information about "The Club" on their site yet.

I question whether the Ballston community needs another luxury condo highrise, especially given the market. Light commercial business might do better there, as there is not much dining or nightlife nearby save for Temple Lounge or Pines of Flourence.

Edit: Looks like I didn't do my homework here, as construction on the Club has been in the works for 2 years. Guess I never noticed the sign... embarrassing....

Thanks Neil for pointing this out!

Clarendon Center Under Construction

I've been wondering exactly what is going to eventually rise out of the ground from the hole between Highland and Garfield street across from the Metro for a while. A helpful neighbor pointed me to this page depicting what the massive Clarendon Center will be like.

The huge 12 story multi-building project will be comprised of two office complexes, an apartment building and street level retail. When completed in 2010 it will have cost a whooping $118 million.

I'm starting to get a little worried about the possibility of over-building Clarendon. I'm all for urban development, but this project looks like it will force out Hard Times and Delhi Club, so I'm concerned.