Feedback for 4420 Fairfax Drive (The Spire) - January 15-25, 2026
Feedback for 4420 Fairfax Drive (The Spire) - January 15-25, 2026
The site is located on the south side of the 4400 block of Fairfax Drive, bounded by North Vermont Street on the west, a private alley (informally named “Fairfax Alley”) on the east, and a private alley (informally named “Vermont Alley”) to the south.
The developer proposes to demolish the existing office building site and construct a 22-story (with penthouse) multifamily building with 302 apartments and ground floor retail. There will be 84 underground parking spaces and 8 surface retail spaces. The developer proposes to add the site to Site Plan #331, which includes the Continental Condominiums, the Westin Hotel, and 901 N. Glebe office building.
The developer is also requesting modifications from the Zoning regulations for (including, but not limited to):
- Residential parking ratio;
- Reduction from three to two loading spaces;
- Additional density and height;
- Exclusions from Gross Floor Area;
- 10% site Landscaping.
Adjacent to this site, at the southeast corner of North Vermont Street and Fairfax Drive, the County is partnering with WMATA to construct two new elevators to access the Ballston Metro Station. See project webpage here.
Share your input by January 25, 2026.
You're invited to review project materials and provide input on the 4420 Fairfax Drive site plan application.
Feedback is focused on the following topics with an opportunity to provide other comments as well.
- Land Use and Density
- Site Design and Layout
- Building Height/Form/Architecture
- Parking and Loading
- Transportation
- Public Space and Landscaping
- Green Building and Sustainability
Project materials:
- Watch the staff presentation
- Review the staff presentation slides
- Watch the applicant presentation
- Review the applicant presentation slides
- Review the staff report
All comments will be compiled and posted after the feedback window has closed. Additional opportunities to provide input are outlined on the project page.
Share your feedback
Type your comments in the appropriate text box(es) below. Each text box permits up to 500 characters. If you have comments about a topic that is not listed, please use the final text box to submit them.
Click on images to enlarge.
*Please watch both the staff and applicant presentations prior to completing the Online Engagement form.
Staff Presentation
Applicant Presentation
Land Use & Density
The developer proposes to construct 302 Apartments, with ground floor retail/retail equivalent.
As you respond, consider the following questions:
- Is residential use appropriate at this site?
- Is the proposed amount of retail or retail equivalents (i.e., commercial uses that generate similar activity to retail uses) appropriate?
- The developer can request additional density above what the Zoning Ordinance permits, through things such as providing committed affordable housing, obtaining LEED certification, or providing transportation upgrades nearby. Do you have any preferences or priorities among these?
Site Design & Layout
Retail and retail equivalent spaces front on Fairfax Drive. A public plaza (discussed in landscaping) is proposed around the Metro elevators. Loading is off of Vermont Alley and the parking garage is accessed by Fairfax Alley (both alleys are private, not public). There are four surface parking spaces accessed off Vermont Alley and another four on Fairfax Alley. The proposed surface parking spots are reserved for the retail tenants.
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As you respond, consider the following questions about the site design and layout:
- Do you have comments about the building layout or ground-level uses?
- Are the locations of the loading docks (off Vermont Alley) and garage entrance (off Fairfax Alley) appropriate?
- Should there be surface parking? What do you think of the eight surface parking spots proposed?
Building Height, Form & Architecture
The proposed building is 22 stories, 246 feet tall, the maximum permitted in the Zoning district. At the rear of the building, it steps down to a 10-story section that faces the Continental Condos. The 10-story portion is about 45 feet from the face of the Continental, while the tower portion of the building is approximately 95 feet form the face of the Continental. Architecture is mostly glass and metal.
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As you respond, consider the following questions:
- Do you have any comments on the height and massing of the building?
- Do you have particular comments on the step down facing the Continental?
- What questions or comments do you have about the architectural style, materials, colors, etc.?
Parking & Loading
According to the County’s adopted policy for parking in Metro station areas, parking at this building could be as low as .2 spaces per unit, as this building is immediately adjacent to a planned Metro entrance. The developer proposes slightly more residential parking at a ratio of .25. No retail parking is required here, but the developer proposes eight (8) surface parking spaces for the retail uses, accessed by the alleys. Staff is working with the applicant to see if public on-street parking can be provided on either North Vermont Street or Fairfax Drive.
As you respond, consider the following questions:
- What questions or comments do you have about parking?
- What questions or comments do you have about loading?
Transportation
The site is located adjacent to the planned elevators for the western entrance of the Ballston Metro station. The applicant proposes an eight-foot clear sidewalk (that is, not interrupted by tree pits, parking meters, etc.) on Fairfax Drive. County plans recommend 16 feet. There is a current bus stop in front of the site, which the applicant proposes to move west. Below are proposed street cross-sections.
As you respond, consider the following questions:
- Do you have questions or comments about the proposed eight-foot clear sidewalk width?
- Do you have any comments about transportation at the site?
Public Space & Landscaping
The developer proposes to construct and dedicate to the public a hardscape plaza adjacent to the Metro elevators (labeled “Retail / Residential Plaza” in the image below).
As you respond, consider the following questions:
- What comments or questions do you have about the proposed public plaza adjacent to the planned Metro elevators?
- What questions or comments do you have about the proposed landscaping and/or street trees?
Green Building and Sustainabilty
The developer has filled out a LEED scorecard (below), but the items on the scorecard could not be enforced through site plan conditions unless the developer chooses to participate in the Green Building Incentive Policy.
As you respond, consider the following questions:
- Do you have any comments about green building on this site or the applicant’s proposal?
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