West Falls Church Is Becoming a New Metro-Connected Neighborhood — And Another $136 Million Project Just Moved Forward
For decades, the area surrounding the West Falls Church Metro station has been defined largely by surface parking, transportation infrastructure and low-density development. That landscape is now changing dramatically.
A coordinated redevelopment spanning roughly 42 acres across Fairfax County and the City of Falls Church is transforming the area into a major transit-oriented neighborhood with apartments, condominiums, townhomes, restaurants, shops, offices, a hotel, senior living, parks and new pedestrian connections—all centered around Metro. (berkadia.com)
And the transformation just reached another major milestone.
On August 28, 2026, financing was announced for a $136 million, 305-unit apartment community immediately adjacent to the West Falls Church Metro station. Just days later, FCP confirmed its $22 million preferred-equity investment in the project. (berkadia.com)
From Metro Parking Lots to an Entire Neighborhood
One of the most striking parts of this transformation is what occupied much of the property before construction: parking lots.
Metro formally began construction on its West Falls Church Joint Development project in November 2025. The project is converting underused Metro property into residential buildings, townhomes, offices, retail, green space and improved transit infrastructure. As of July 27, 2026, the station's south surface parking lot permanently closed to make way for construction. (wmata.com)
That's what makes the before-and-after potential here so dramatic.
Instead of arriving at Metro surrounded by acres of asphalt, the long-term vision is for riders to step out into a walkable neighborhood where people can potentially live, work, shop, eat and access Metro without getting into a car.
A $136 Million Apartment Project Is Moving Forward
The newest piece of the transformation is a seven-story apartment community being developed by Rushmark Properties.
The project will contain 305 apartments and is planned for the corner of Falls Church Drive and West Falls Station Boulevard, approximately one block from the Metro station. Berkadia announced on August 28 that it arranged $114 million in debt and equity financing for the $136 million development. (berkadia.com)
That financing includes a $92 million senior construction loan from PNC and $22 million in preferred equity from FCP. FCP separately announced its investment on August 31. The apartment community is currently expected to open in 2028. (berkadia.com)
The building is expected to offer one- and two-bedroom apartments averaging approximately 878 square feet, along with work-from-home spaces, a fitness center and yoga studio, swimming pool, courtyard, clubroom, game room and even a speakeasy-style amenity space. (berkadia.com)
And That's Only One Piece of the Transformation
The 305 apartments shouldn't be viewed as an isolated apartment project.
They're part of a much larger coordinated development effort connecting the Metro station area with the rapidly developing West Falls neighborhood.
On the Metro portion alone, plans call for approximately 810 multifamily residences, 90 townhomes, up to 110,000 square feet of office space and up to 10,000 square feet of ground-floor retail. The first phase includes the 305-unit apartment building and townhomes being developed by EYA. (capdex.com)
Metro describes the overall vision as a dense mixed-use community where residents can live, work and play within steps of the Orange Line. (wmata.com)
West Falls Is Already Coming to Life
This isn't a development where residents have to wait years to see whether the surrounding neighborhood will actually materialize.
Immediately nearby, West Falls is already opening in phases.
The community now includes The Alder apartments, The Oak condominiums, Home2 Suites by Hilton and The Wellness Center, while additional residential and senior-living construction continues. (fallschurchva.gov)
Even more importantly for creating an actual neighborhood, restaurants, shops and services are beginning to open.
Current businesses listed by West Falls include SeoulSpice, Honoo Ramen Bar, Ice Cream Jubilee, Mason's Famous Lobster Rolls, Casabella Salon, Perspire Sauna Studio, Levine Music and CityDance, among others. (westfallsva.com)
A Fresh Market grocery store is also part of the community. (westfallsva.com)
The Vision: Walk Out Your Door and Into a Neighborhood
Perhaps the most important element of West Falls isn't any individual apartment building or retailer.
It's the attempt to create a walkable urban center in an area of Northern Virginia historically dominated by cars.
The City of Falls Church's portion of the development includes pedestrian-oriented streets, bicycle connections, substantial retail, offices, housing, a hotel and large public gathering spaces. Plans call for approximately 142,100 square feet of retail uses, roughly 326,100 square feet of Class A office space across phases one and two, and significant residential development. (fallschurchva.gov)
At its center is planned public open space intended to function as a gathering place for events and everyday community activity.
That means restaurants spilling onto sidewalks, people walking to the grocery store, residents meeting in the park and commuters walking directly to Metro rather than driving to the station.
It's a very different model from the traditional suburban development pattern found throughout much of Northern Virginia.
Townhomes Are Coming to the Metro Station Too
The transformation isn't limited to apartments.
The Metro-area development also includes for-sale townhomes, giving buyers an opportunity to own a home within walking distance of the Orange Line.
The first phase of the Metro development includes approximately 82 EYA townhomes, with deliveries currently targeted to begin in the third quarter of 2027. Plans include affordable homes and live/work residences designed to accommodate small professional offices. (capdex.com)
Future phases are expected to bring additional multifamily housing, including another building currently targeted for 2029. (capdex.com)
For Northern Virginia buyers looking for new construction with direct Metro access, this could become one of the more interesting areas to watch over the next several years.
Metro Is Becoming the Centerpiece Instead of the Parking Lot
The location may ultimately be West Falls' biggest advantage.
Residents will have access to the West Falls Church Metro station on the Orange Line, providing connections toward Washington, DC, Arlington and other major employment centers. The community also sits near Route 7, I-66 and I-495. (berkadia.com)
Metro itself argues that housing near stations can increase ridership while reducing dependence on cars. According to Metro data cited in the latest financing announcement, station areas represent only about 3% of the region's land but account for roughly 30% of its property value and approximately 40% of regional jobs. (berkadia.com)
The West Falls Church redevelopment puts that strategy into practice by replacing surface parking with housing and commercial development while retaining and improving transit access.
Transportation Improvements Are Happening Around It
Growth on this scale naturally raises one big question for Northern Virginia residents:
What happens to traffic?
Separate multimodal improvements have been underway around Route 7 and Haycock Road to address congestion and improve connections between West Falls, nearby schools and the Metro station.
The work includes new and synchronized traffic signals, wider sidewalks, improved bicycle access, upgraded bus stops and other pedestrian improvements. The City of Falls Church reports that several major elements have already been completed. (fallschurchva.gov)
That transportation component will be important as thousands of additional residents, workers and visitors eventually begin using the area.
Why West Falls Could Matter for Northern Virginia Real Estate
Transit-oriented development can fundamentally change how buyers view a neighborhood.
Instead of evaluating a home solely based on its proximity to highways or employment centers, buyers increasingly consider whether they can walk to restaurants, groceries, parks and transit.
West Falls is attempting to combine all of those elements.
And the location is particularly notable because it sits between several of Northern Virginia's strongest employment and real-estate markets: Falls Church, Arlington and Tysons.
The latest financing announcement also points to the strength of the surrounding housing market. Berkadia noted median home values above $800,000 in the Falls Church submarket while highlighting the area's demographics and Metro connectivity as factors supporting the investment. (berkadia.com)
That doesn't guarantee property values will rise because of West Falls, but a new walkable district with restaurants, retail, parks and Metro access can materially change the amenities available to nearby homeowners.
Could This Become Northern Virginia's Next Major Urban Hub?
Northern Virginia already has several examples of suburban areas becoming increasingly urban.
Tysons continues its transformation around Metro. Reston has expanded dramatically around the Silver Line. Mosaic District demonstrated how a walkable mixed-use destination could reshape an area that previously looked very different.
West Falls is following its own version of that playbook—but with one major advantage:
Metro is already there.
And this isn't just a collection of conceptual renderings anymore.
Some buildings and businesses are already open. More construction is underway. Metro's surface parking has closed for redevelopment. Townhomes are coming. And now another $136 million residential project has secured major financing. (berkadia.com)
Over the next several years, the difference between what commuters remember around West Falls Church Metro and what eventually surrounds the station could be dramatic.
Would You Live Here?
Imagine walking downstairs from your apartment or townhome, grabbing dinner, shopping for groceries, spending an evening in the central park—and then walking to the Orange Line for your commute.
For some buyers, that's exactly what Northern Virginia needs more of.
Others will undoubtedly wonder whether Falls Church can handle the additional density and traffic.
Either way, West Falls Church is undergoing one of the DMV's most significant transit-oriented transformations, and the latest $136 million investment shows that development around the Metro station is continuing to move forward.
So what do you think: is building entire neighborhoods around Metro the future of Northern Virginia—or is the area becoming too dense?
For current project information, visit West Falls, the City of Falls Church West Falls project page, or Metro's West Falls Church redevelopment page.
Thinking About Buying or Selling in the DMV?
Major developments like West Falls can reshape neighborhoods, commuting patterns, amenities and housing demand long before construction is finished.
If you're considering buying near Metro, purchasing new construction, investing near one of the DMV's growing mixed-use communities, or selling a home in the region, DMV Homes can help you understand what's being built and what it could mean for your move.
DMV Homes
DC • Maryland • Northern Virginia
📞 703-439-4971
Development plans, construction schedules, retailers and completion dates are subject to change. Development renderings are conceptual and may differ from final construction.
Comments