Plans for rehabilitation and enhancements of the Fountain Plaza and Pavilion areas of Reston Town Center (RTC) are expected to begin soon, according to Boston Properties, owner of RTC. Originally built in the early 1990s, both areas have long been at the heart of many traditions and events at RTC. The renovation work will add to the year-round uses of both areas, while making needed structural and mechanical repairs. Improvements will reflect dynamic market demands while the spirit of the original design remains.
The design team for the project is led by Alan Ward, FASLA, principal at Sasaki Associates, who was also an integral member of the original landscape architecture team for RTC.
“As the community uses of Reston Town Center have evolved over time, these iconic spaces must be enhanced to meet the needs of today and into the future,” said Ward.
“Once completed, these newly activated spaces will continue to serve as destinations for our office and retail clients and the broader Reston community,” said Jake Stroman, Executive Vice President and Co-Head of the Washington, DC Region, Boston Properties
Due to the scope of the project, many RTC events will be relocated or rescheduled during construction.
“We are working with our event partners by providing alternate locations in 2022 for our annual events,” said Sapna Yathiraj, Boston Properties marketing director.
Wooden fencing will enclose both areas for the duration of the project and directional signage will be enhanced to ensure that all guests are able to navigate during construction.
Work will begin in the Pavilion at the end of March and is scheduled to be completed in early Fall. The Fountain area work will begin in May with a late Fall completion date.
www.restontowncenter.com/visit.
Pavilion Area Enhancements
The Pavilion is home to many annual events throughout the year including the beloved ice rink. Improvements in the Pavilion area include:
• Installation of two fire pits in front of the Pavilion adjacent to Market Street will add to the holiday and cooler months experience, and installation of large fans in the Pavilion will help cool the space during warmer months for both formal and informal gatherings
• Expansion of the Pavilion through the service street that is adjacent to the Hyatt to create more flexibility and space for programming, events, and daily activations
• Construction of a wooden deck that will serve as a seating area and a stage for smaller events and performances
• Addition of seating areas in the artificial turf area during warm months
The ice rink will continue to operate November through March.
Fountain Area Enhancements
Fountain Plaza will retain the beauty of the Mercury Fountain while landscaping, circulation, seating, and overall ambiance will be improved. The work in and around the Fountain Plaza will include:
• Renovation of the lower base area of the fountain and replacement of the entire outdated mechanical system. While the original design of the upper base and Mercury statue will remain unchanged, the lower base will feature new tiling, expanded seating and tiered landscaping.
• Addition of new trees and plantings to replace aged greenery and damaged root systems
• Expansion of outdoor seating including stadium style structures and traditional tables and chairs
Owned and managed by Boston Properties, Reston Town Center is home to over 50 retailers, 30 restaurants, over 2,000 residential homes and 3 million square feet of Class A office space. Since becoming one of the nation’s first developments of its kind in 1990, Reston Town Center offers residents and visitors outdoor recreation spaces, and dynamic seasonal traditions and events. For information about shopping, dining, and events at Reston Town Center, please visit https://restontowncenter.com/.
Boston Properties (NYSE: BXP) is the largest publicly traded developer, owner, and manager of Class A office properties in the United States, concentrated in six markets - Boston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington, DC.