Amazon’s Northern Virginia landlord to redevelop six buildings near HQ2 site

JBG Smith, the biggest developer in the D.C. area and landlord of Amazon’s future Northern Virginia headquarters, Tuesday announced that it would redevelop about 2.6 million square feet of space at five multifamily buildings and an office building in Crystal City. The buildings are all within half a mile of the Amazon headquarters site and near Reagan National Airport, representing part of a broader development push in the area now called “National Landing.”

The plans come in addition to what JBG Smith, also Amazon’s development partner on the tech company’s headquarters, already had on the boards for the vicinity, including an office renovation at 1770 Crystal Drive and a residential project at 1900 Crystal Drive. The six new buildings to be redeveloped are 2000 and 2001 South Bell Street (formerly 2001 Richmond Highway), 223 23rd Street, 2300 Crystal Drive, and 2525 Crystal Drive. Overall, JBG Smith wants to redevelop roughly 6.9 million square feet in National Landing. About a third is set to be office use and the rest will be residential: 4,000 to 5,000 units with ground-floor retail.

JGB Smith

“This is an important step toward delivering additional housing units and retail amenities in National Landing, which will help meet anticipated new housing demand and mitigate upward pressure on rents,” JBG Smith said in a release. The developer added that the plans also include community benefits like open space and streetscape improvements. The exact details for these still have to be determined in consultation with Arlington County officials.

Arlington and adjacent Alexandria, which together comprise National Landing, were named the most competitive real estate market in the U.S. over the summer, thanks in large part to the flurry of activity that Amazon’s impending headquarters has spurred. The first phase of the project, branded “HQ2” by the company, is currently facing review by Arlington County.