New developments in the big Virginia Village project planned for Leesburg. The folks behind the new lifestyle center — with restaurants, shops, offices and residences — have submitted an updated application package to the Town of Leesburg — and released new images of what the future center should look like.
Virginia Village will feature several streets filled with 70,000 s.f. of restaurants and stores, with streetscaped sidewalks and three open-air parks where people can relax and events can be held. There will also be townhomes and apartments and 105,000 s.f. of office space. One standout element is a large pedestrian bridge the will lead from Virginia Village across a creek and connect to Raflo Park. From there, it’s just a short walk up Harrison Street to Tuskies, Fireworks and Market Street. Or people in the downtown can stroll a few blocks south along South King and finish their evening at Virginia Village. The walkability of the project and connections to nearby commercial areas is a key part of the plan.
The developers of Virginia Village — Keane Enterprises — have also set up an interesting way for local residents to have input on the project. They have a website where regular updates are posted on the progress of Virginia Village and locals can ask questions (and get answers) and also leave comments and suggestions about the project. The site has been active since Keane first submitted plans in 2019, and they say the feedback has helped guide this latest application round. You can check out the Virginia Village project site here.
The current Virginia Village — centered on Fairfax Street SE — is a well-known landmark in Leesburg. It was the town’s first shopping center when it opened back in the 1957. Today, it’s a series of buildings — strip-mall like — with a variety of tenants including a deli, a pharmacy, a sporting goods store and an ABC store.
This is a disaster from the (literal) perspective of Catoctin Circle – which is how 90% of the people who ever see the developed area will see it. Multi-story parking garage along almost the entire length of the road.
How do the residents of Leesburg stop this project? If we wanted to live in the over-crowded regions of the county, we would — we chose Leesburg for its beautiful balance of access and small- town charm, not Fairfax- like congestion and over-crowded venues. That’s why we left Fairfax. Can you do more reporting on how we can stop this project? We don’t want it.
I completely agree with the previous comments. This project is entirely too large and ugly for Leesburg, and will create more problems, especially with traffic, on Catoctin Circle. I moved to Leesburg from the city of Manassas, just to get away from exactly this sort of development. The Old Town Manassas vibe was completely ruined when they started allowing buildings like these.
I also noticed on the Va Village drawings, that the area they are designating for the farmers market is entirely too small. And the vendors vehicles won’t be able to park anywhere near their stalls. Please stop this development!!!!
I completely agree with the previous comments. This project is entirely too large and ugly for Leesburg, and will create more problems, especially with traffic, on Catoctin Circle. I moved to Leesburg from the city of Manassas, just to get away from exactly this sort of development. The Old Town Manassas vibe was completely ruined when they started allowing buildings like these.
I also noticed on the Va Village drawings, that the area they are designating for the farmers market is entirely too small. And the vendors vehicles won’t be able to park anywhere near their stalls. Please stop this development!!!!
What an interesting and exciting way to destroy Leesburg. The sprawl consumes all, do we really need more fake luxury microcities and ‘town centers’ if it means tearing down actual towns? Between this and the 400k condos going up I think it’s time to leave town.
Leave town if you want. This is an old dumpy strip center which is 1/2 empty. This new revitalized space will bring in businesses we actually want to go to. It’s supposed to have an open and park like feel. You all need to realize that NEW doesn’t always mean over development.
This shopping center has needed more than a facelift for awhile and I cannot wait for it to open.
Leave town if you want. This is an old dumpy strip center which is 1/2 empty. This new revitalized space will bring in businesses we actually want to go to. It’s supposed to have an open and park like feel. You all need to realize that NEW doesn’t always mean over development.
This shopping center has needed more than a facelift for awhile and I cannot wait for it to open.
Right on, Jeremy!
Leave town if you want. This is an old dumpy strip center which is 1/2 empty. This new revitalized space will bring in businesses we actually want to go to. It’s supposed to have an open and park like feel. You all need to realize that NEW doesn’t always mean over development.
This shopping center has needed more than a facelift for awhile and I cannot wait for it to open.
This is exciting. That area is a dump and gross. Leesburg is incredibly cute and deserves to sparkle. Out with the dumpy strip malls and in with the new plaza with shops the community will actually go to.
You go Jeremey and CB. This development will continue to make Leesburg a destination and increase it’s walk ability. If congestion, traffic and development are a negative there many wonderful places to move out in the countryside.
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