Reston Town Center
The Reston Town Center (RTC) is a group of offices, stores, and restaurants in Reston, Virginia.
Layout
The Reston Town Center is designed with open avenues and with wide sidewalks. It is built around Fountain Square, a medium-sized open area between the surrounding shops. The main landmark in Fountain Square is Mercury Fountain, designed by Saint Clair Cemin. Directly in front of Mercury Fountain is Market Street, and across the street is the Pavilion. The Pavilion doubles as a covered open-air ice rink during the winter and as a concert and event venue throughout the rest of the year. To the left and right of the Fountain along Market Street are the One Fountain Square and Two Fountain Square buildings, respectively, with the One & Two Freedom Square buildings a little further down past One Fountain Square. The center is surrounded by free parking that includes one-hour parking,one surface parking lot, and garage parking.
According to its official web site [1], Reston Town Center combines elements of the ideal downtown, the "vitality of an Italian piazza and the diversity of a French boulevard." The popular spot in the Northern Virginia suburb of Reston is the closest thing to a "downtown" in the area and continues to expand, attracting new residential and business clients with ease. It now boasts more than 50 retail shops and 30 restaurants[2]. In addition, Reston Town Center has a 13-screen National Amusements cinema and a Hyatt Regency hotel.
Since the most recent phase of construction in 2009, Reston Town Center, in the past known more so for its shopping, dining, and entertainment, has developed into an equally desirable location for businesses and residences. Among brand name companies who now have offices at Reston Town Center are Google and Rolls-Royce North America. Meanwhile, luxurious high-rise condominiums have led to an influx of young professionals, creating a city-like downtown atmosphere.
Readers of Northern Virginia Magazine[3] chose Reston Town Center for its 2008 top ten list "Hip to be Where." Dubbed a "downtown for the 21st century," the appeal and pull of Reston Town Center should continue to grow with the expansion of Metro service's new Silver Line.
Location
The Reston Town Center is located between Washington Dulles International Airport and Washington, DC, near the Dulles Toll Road. With the construction of the Silver Line of the Washington Metro subway, access to Reston Town Center should improve with the Reston Parkway station and Herndon being located nearby.
History
Construction of the town center began in 1988. This first wave of construction was Phase 1, and started the center off with 2 11-story office buildings, One Fountain Square and Two Fountain Square, along with multiple smaller office buildings and a Hyatt Regency hotel. This section opened in October of 1990. In Phase 2, the 18-story One Freedom Square (Accenture office) and 16-story Two Freedom Square were added. In Phase 3, three residential highrises were finished in mid-2006. Further development in 2009 by Boston Properties [4] removed one surface parking lot and added a free parking garage with nine levels, and the One, Two and Three South of Market buildings, which are 10, 6, and 10 stories, respectively. Additionally, an 8-story office building, Democracy Tower, was constructed on top of the nine level garage, and was completed in August 2009. It now serves as the Reston Office of the College Board.
Today
Among the restaurants and eateries at Reston Town Center are Clyde's, Morton's, McCormick & Schmick, Jackson's Mighty Fine Food & Lucky Lounge, Uncle Julio's and The Counter. Some of the stores available at the Town Center are ArtInsights Animation and Film Art Gallery, Marvelous Market, Victoria's Secret, Gap, Banana Republic, South Moon Under, and Pottery Barn. A full listing of the stores is available at RestonTownCenter.com.
Further reading
- Ward, Alan (June 1, 2006). Reston Town Center: Downtown for the 21st Century (1st ed. ed.). Academy Press. p. 218 pp. ISBN 0972857516.
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