Old Reston Avenue has a story most people drive past without noticing. Tucked behind a wall of trees sits a 127-year-old stone manor house built in 1899, the old Bowman Manor, now used as office space and surrounded by two buildings slated for demolition. A joint development between the Armed Forces Mutual Association and EYA Townhomes would replace those buildings with 57 new townhomes, all designed in an English cottage style meant to complement the manor itself, which Fairfax County requires to remain as a historic landmark.

In this episode, Graham and Kathy walk through the full set of renderings, the site plan, the four-story townhome elevations, and what the promenade and green space between units would look like. They also get into the traffic concern on Old Reston Avenue near the W&OD Trail, the timeline for the July 14th planning board hearing, and whether this project actually reflects what Reston was built to be.

Before the main story, the episode covers Davio's at Reston Station expanding into the old Plaza Bar space where Matchbox used to operate, the upcoming Tephra ICA Arts Festival marking its 35th year on May 16th and 17th, and a firsthand walk of the Rails to River Trail from Lake Fairfax to Colvin Run Mill with tips on crossing Route 7, what's at the mill, and why the hike is good for families.

Ground just broke on what could become the most significant development along the Silver Line since Reston Town Center started filling in. The project is called Rivana, and it sits on the Fairfax/Loudoun County line near Innovation Center Metro — a 9-million-square-foot development with 3,700 residential units, 3.5 million square feet of office space, an entertainment district, 16 acres of green space, and a restored stream running through the heart of it. For scale: the whole thing is roughly a third larger than the Pentagon.

That's the main event. Before we get there, we stop at the JW Marriott Residences in Reston, where a buyer just set a statewide condo record — $10.25 million for a combined 5,700 square foot unit. We were at the open house just before that news broke, so we walk through what the available units actually look like, what they cost, and what kind of lifestyle the building is built around.

We also round up the summer concert scene across Reston and Herndon. Seven different concert series are running this summer, including Herndon's Friday Night Live approaching its 500th show. The full list is on our website for anyone trying to plan ahead.

Topics covered: Rivana mixed-use development at Innovation Center, JW Marriott Residences Reston record condo sale, summer concerts in Reston and Herndon, Silver Line corridor growth, Dulles technology corridor, Horse Pen Run restoration, Boulder Ridge preservation, and what Rivana means for housing demand in Reston and Herndon.

Lake Anne has been a cornerstone of Reston since the community was founded in the 1960s, but for years it has had a wayfinding problem. A significant number of Reston residents have never made it there, partly because the signage does not exactly announce itself. That may be changing.

In this episode, Graham and Kathy break down the proposed new Lake Anne signage package that StreetSense recently unveiled at a virtual public meeting. The concept draws from mid-century color palettes and Mondrian-influenced geometry, with a full wayfinding system planned for cars and pedestrians entering and moving through the area. Reactions in the comments have been mixed. Some residents find the new proposals clean and directional. Others think the existing sign has a character the new concepts do not match. Graham and Kathy weigh in.

They also run through a packed spring events calendar, from the return of the Lake Anne Farmers Market and the Earth Day Chalk Fest at Reston Town Center to Polar Heat on Lynn Street in Herndon and the Tour de Hunter Mill cycling ride hosted by Supervisor Walter Alcorn. And if you have been watching the Reston Town Center Next development take shape, there is a notable wave of restaurant openings coming, including Paris Baguette, Clarity's second location, Dogfish Head Ale House, Grazi Nona, and Yunnan Noodles.

Restonians have been paying a dedicated property tax surcharge since 2017 to fund intersection improvements across the area. The advisory board overseeing that money is now, nearly a decade later, pushing to actually allocate it. The catch: the original $44 million estimate for eight priority intersections has grown to $82 million, and the broader transportation plan could be approaching three or four billion dollars before it's done.

In this episode, Graham and Kathy walk through the ranked list of eight intersection projects inside the Reston Transportation Service District. They spend time on the top priority, Reston Parkway and Blumont Way near the Hyatt and Reston Town Center, which holds the area's highest count of total crashes, pedestrian injuries, and severe incidents. Using Google Street View, they show exactly what makes the intersection confusing and dangerous, what changes are being proposed, and why the numbers have climbed so sharply. They also cover Reston Parkway and New Dominion Parkway near Not Your Average Joe's, Hunter Mill Road and Sunset Hills, and the pedestrian and bike access challenges along Blumont and the W&OD connection points.

The episode closes with a look at Fairfax County's longer-range grid extension plan, including the planned stretch of Library Avenue south of the W&OD and a future connection that would eventually reach Baron Cameron to the north.

Also in this episode: a visit to MindShift Gym, Reston's parkour and acrobatics facility; a sad update on the 108-year-old carousel at Frying Pan Park; and some Easter treat picks from Chiboo Macarons at Lake Anne and Ted's Bulletin.

A lot of people probably scroll right past the Reston Association board election. This week, we break down why that may be a mistake.

In this episode, we look at what is actually at stake in the 2026 Reston Association election, from rising dues and the $24 million RA budget to growth, open space, amenities, and the bigger question of what kind of Reston residents want going forward. We also talk through the seats that are up this year, the hot races on the ballot, why the Hunters Woods/Dogwood seat has no candidate, and how issues like golf course land, development pressure, and the Fairfax casino debate fit into the conversation.

We also open with a few local updates, including Hawkes Brewing’s grand opening in Herndon, the latest on the W&OD rail idea, and a fun detour into the 90s photo trend that had us digging through old pictures.

If you live in Reston, care about how the community grows, or want a clearer sense of what this election means beyond the usual HOA language, this one is worth a watch.

Two of the biggest local conversations in Reston right now are about growth and mobility, and this week we dig into both. We break down the latest Reston Crossing redevelopment plans near Wegmans and Halley Rise, plus the surprising idea of bringing rail service back along the W&OD corridor without removing the trail.

In this episode, Graham and Kathy talk through what the Reston Crossing proposal could mean for the skyline, housing, office space, retail, and how that whole area connects with the rest of the community. They also get into the debate over whether the W&OD right-of-way could someday carry both a train line and the trail, and why that idea is already stirring up strong reactions from locals.

Along the way, they also touch on the CVS reversal at Reston Station, what that says about retail and foot traffic near Metro, and why these development stories matter to anyone living in or following Reston and Herndon.

If you care about where Reston is heading, how growth is taking shape, and which local proposals could actually change daily life here, this episode is worth a watch.

The JW Marriott sign in Reston is so bright, some neighbors say it’s keeping them up at night.

In this episode of the Greater Reston Living Podcast, we dive into the growing controversy around the JW Marriott sign at Reston Station, why Fairfax County says the permit was issued in error, and how Comstock has already started dimming and warming the light in response to complaints.

We also get into the bigger question underneath the debate: what kind of future does Reston want? More city energy, or something that still feels distinctly Reston?

Beyond the headline story, we cover a lot happening across Reston and Herndon, including:

• our visit to the Herndon Historical Society museum and caboose
• a new farmers market coming to Haley Rise
• the final weekend of the Reston ice skating rink with a disco party
• a first look at Toastique in Reston
• a major new housing development planned at Worldgate in Herndon

If you care about what’s changing in Reston and Herndon, this episode is packed with the local context you won’t get anywhere else.

Subscribe for weekly conversations on local development, real estate, community news, and everything shaping life in Reston and Herndon.

#Reston #Herndon #JWMarriott #RestonStation #FairfaxCounty #NorthernVirginia #LocalNews #RealEstate #GreaterRestonLiving

In this episode of the Greater Reston Living podcast, hosts Graham and Kathy Tracey discuss the impact of new million-dollar townhomes on the affordability of housing in Reston. They explore a recent study that suggests high-end construction can create more affordable housing options by freeing up existing homes for others. The conversation also touches on local businesses, community gatherings, and the historical significance of the Bowman Distillery, which is currently for sale. The hosts share insights on the evolving real estate market in Reston and the potential for revitalizing historic sites.

Is a Fairfax County casino coming to Reston, and are the new Flock license plate cameras creating a surveillance net across our local neighborhoods?

In this episode of the Greater Reston Living podcast, Graham and Kathy Tracey tackle these major community concerns, plus share a few other local bits and bites, including Herndon's highly anticipated Hawkley Brewing, the renaming of Western High School to Skyview, and SkateQuest's Olympic-sized surge in popularity.

In this episode of the Greater Reston Living Podcast, hosts Graham and Kathy Tracey discuss the importance of community and friendship in Reston, highlighting local events and activities that foster connections. They also delve into significant developments in the area, including the transformation of Isaac Newton Square, the demolition of the old Fannie Mae building for new housing, and upcoming projects on Samuel Morse Drive. The conversation emphasizes the evolving landscape of Reston and the opportunities for residents to engage with their community.

Takeaways

People in Reston are looking for ways to make friends.
Book clubs and trivia nights are popular social activities.
The Silent Book Club offers a unique way to meet people.
Valentine's Day dining options include fixed menus at local restaurants.
The Isaac Newton Square development will take 10-15 years to complete.
Preservation of mature trees is a priority in new developments.
Stacked townhomes are being introduced as a more affordable housing option.
The old Fannie Mae building is being replaced with new stacked townhomes.
New developments are responding to the demand for affordable housing.
Reston Station is driving new growth in the area.

sound bites

"We all need to make friends."
"More stacked townhomes!"
"Go make a friend."