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SOURCE: Falls Church News-Press / by Brian Reach
Last week the apartments at the new Broad & Washington building opened, the most recent evidence of the development boom being enjoyed by The Little City. The project, led by Insight Property Group, offers a blend of modern luxury and community-focused design. Last Thursday, the News-Press joined a select group of city leaders and community members on an exclusive tour of the Broad & Washington apartments, guided by Insight Property Group’s Maury Stern.
The Broad & Washington apartment complex boasts 334 residential units, each featuring high-end finishes, including stainless steel appliances, quartz countertops, really big walk-in closets, and keyless entry systems. The rent reflects the upscale design, starting at just under $2,200 for a studio, just over $2,300 for a one-bedroom, and just over $3,500 for a two-bedroom unit. At the time of the tour, just days after opening, 15 residents had already moved into the building — and over 100 leases had been signed. Less than a week later, only 190 units are listed as available on the Broad & Washington website (broadandwashington.com) — with just over half snatched up by eager renters.
The tour began in the apartment building’s expansive lobby — with dramatic pendant lanterns floating above the front desk, where an attendant welcomed and escorted participants to the elevator, where they gathered in the mezzanine above (also home to several zoom rooms available for residents to have meetings or work). Once everyone had arrived, Stern guided the tour to the fourth floor, home to an expansive amenities space. Attendees marveled at the game room equipped with billiards, shuffleboard, and foosball, the fully-equipped kitchen and shared dining space, various nooks with couches and games, and a courtyard with grills, outdoor couches, fire pits, and an outdoor television. The floor’s amenities also include a state-of-the-art fitness center. Rounding out the impressive communal living experience is a second courtyard, also on the fourth floor, featuring a beautiful outdoor swimming pool and lounge area.
The tour also included viewing a one-bedroom and a two-bedroom unit, both of which had abundant natural light, expansive floor plans — and the largest closets we’ve ever seen in a rental (check out the pictures at fcnp.com).
City council member Marybeth Connelly expressed her admiration for the building, saying “what a beautiful building! We’ve talked about it, looked at drawings, and endured construction for so many years but it was such a delightful surprise to see the real places where people will live! In addition to lovely apartments, the common areas are so welcoming and unique. It’s going to be a great part of our community.”
The development also includes a significant retail component. A 50,000 square foot Whole Foods is set to open this fall, and a new space for Creative Cauldron is expected to be ready by December. These additions are poised to further enhance the experience for residents, with convenient access to groceries and entertainment.
Parking, a major concern during construction, has been addressed with a new garage — which includes 140 free public parking spots. This development is a welcome relief for local businesses like Clare and Don’s Beach Shack and Thompson Italian, which struggled with parking issues during construction. David Tax, owner of Clare and Don’s Beach Shack, shared his excitement: “We are very excited to have our new neighbors moving in, and really, really excited to have the parking lot open with 140 spaces of free parking! We went straight from 2.5 years of Covid to 2.5 long years of construction and are elated to finally get to our new normal at the Beach Shack.”
Ross Litkenhous from the Economic Development Authority was also impressed, saying “the high quality of the design, construction, and finishes reflect what I would have expected based on the reputation and prior developments delivered by this Insight team. The leasing interest and activity to date also show the continued interest in Falls Church as one of the country’s most desirable and unique communities.”
City council member Justine Underhill added that the building is “a really beautiful space, with impressive attention to detail. I was most impressed with the number of nooks, common areas, and amenities — the space we inhabit often determines the people we meet and friends we make, and there’s plenty of space for socializing in this building! My hope is that the residents here will have a lively community within the building and find belonging with the larger community of Falls Church.”
Broad & Washington is not just a development; it is a testament to the thoughtful planning and community-centric approach driving Falls Church’s growth. As the city continues to evolve with projects like West Falls and Founders Row 2, Broad & Washington stands out as a beacon of modern living, promising to enhance the lifestyle and sense of community for its residents.
“I’m thrilled to see the opening of Broad and Washington at one of the important corners of the city, with a beautiful and thoughtfully designed building,” said Mayor Letty Hardi, who participated in the tour. “Besides welcoming new neighbors, new green spaces, Whole Foods and restaurants, and a permanent home for Creative Cauldron — I’m especially proud that 10 percent of the units will be dedicated as affordable housing in perpetuity, a new high for us.”
