FALLS CHURCH, VA - Mill Creek Residential, a leading multifamily investor and operator specializing in premier apartment communities across the U.S., announced the groundbreaking of Modera Founders Row, a mixed-use lifestyle center that will feature luxury apartment homes and 90,000 square feet of retail space in metropolitan Washington, D.C.
Mill Creek Residential has announced that Studio Movie Grill and City Works Eatery & Pour House will be among the retail components of Founders Row, which will occupy approximately 4.5 acres at the intersection of West Broad Street and North West Street. Modera Founders Row will serve as the market-rate apartment community portion of the development and will include 322 apartment homes. An additional community featuring 72 apartment homes will be dedicated to age-restricted living for individuals 55 years and older.
A formal groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for Monday, March 4, 2019. First homes and initial retail at the destination community are projected to open in summer 2021.
"We're thrilled to break ground on Founders Row, which will offer a wholly unique experience to the City of Falls Church when complete," said Joe Muffler, managing director of development for Mill Creek Residential. "The combination of vibrant retailers, luxury apartment homes and a prime location will create a true destination community."
As the anchor of the retail space, Studio Movie Grill features eight movie screens, custom luxury recliners, laser projectors, studio-extreme large format auditoriums and Q-SYS sound systems for the ultimate blockbuster experience. The theater will occupy roughly 32,000 square feet of retail space. City Works, which features more than 90 beers on tap and an enthusiastic upscale sports bar atmosphere, will occupy 7,500 square feet of the retail space.
"We're excited for the addition of these retailers, each of which represents the type of high-energy establishment that will provide enormous appeal to residents and visitors alike," said Sean Caldwell, executive managing director of the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast for Mill Creek Residential. "Studio Movie Grill provides an entirely unique cinematic experience and the active vibe of City Works will undoubtedly complement the atmosphere we're aiming to cultivate at Founders Row."
Founders Row, which is being developed in conjunction with Cross Harbor Capital Partners, Lighthouse Real Estate Investments LLC, and PNC Financial Services, is located in Falls Church, which sits roughly 10 miles west of Washington, D.C. and is considered part of the greater D.C. area. Falls Church is situated on two square miles of land in northern Virginia and is one of the most affluent cities in the U.S. The city features a thriving school system and an active arts and culture sector, including the Falls Church Farmers Market.
Founders Row will offer a commuter-friendly lifestyle within a short distance of the area's major highways and several public transportation options, including the D.C. Metro. The site is also a short drive from Arlington's Rosslyn-Ballston Corridor and Downtown Washington, D.C., but the community will provide its own entertainment offerings.
The apartments at Founders Row will consist of studio, 1- and 2-bedroom apartment homes with an average size of 940 square feet. Shared community amenities will include an expansive resident clubhouse, 24-hour club-quality fitness center, outdoor pool and sundeck, business center, game room, barbecue area, Zen garden, private demonstration kitchen, pet spa, controlled-access garage parking, self-serve package lockers and coffee bar. The age-restricted community will feature an additional community room, fitness center, and business center dedicated exclusively to those residents.
Apartment interiors will feature wood plank-style flooring, nine-foot ceilings, moveable kitchen islands, stainless steel Energy Star appliances, quartz countertops, extra-large capacity stacked washers and dryers, built-in storage and shelves, and USB ports. Select homes will have balconies and upgraded finishes, including wine refrigerators, towel warmers, and backlit bathroom mirrors. Residents will also have access to additional storage and bike lockers.
"Founders Row will be an exciting addition to our community," Falls Church Mayor David Tarter said. "Having a movie theater that most of the City of Falls Church can walk to will further our commitment to make the city a vibrant, walkable destination for residents and visitors from Fairfax, Arlington and beyond."