2025 | The Year In Review
The past several years have presented real challenges for development. High interest rates and tighter capital markets slowed construction financing, leading to fewer multifamily projects breaking ground. However, 2025 saw a noteworthy increase in multifamily housing starts.
Additionally, the retail market continued to heat-up with a particular focus on neighborhood-scaled, experience-driven, and mixed-use retail. Along those lines, owners are increasingly repurposing underused retail properties to create walkable urban destinations and meet the demand for multifamily infill projects.
Multifamily Moves Forward
2025 kicked-off with construction in full swing for our Mt. Vernon Gateway project for Elm Street Communities in Alexandria, VA. This 280-unit residential project is the first phase of a larger development that will include 100+ additional townhomes.
Mt. Vernon Gateway | Alexandria, VA.
We were delighted to be selected by Kennedy Wilson (formerly Toll Brothers Apartment Living) to reimagine the site of 2601 Columbia Pike—former site of MV+A’s design for The Elliott. This effort afforded MV+A the opportunity to build upon our experience with Arlington’s Form-Based Code for Columbia Pike and to succeed in achieving full approval of all project entitlements on an accelerated timeline. We explored this process in detail in our October ‘25 MV+A | Design Brief.
2601 Columbia Pike | Arlington, VA.
Another project continuing into 2025 was the Phase II Residential of Westbard Square in Bethesda, MD. Our first collaboration with Greystar, this mixed-use, 200-unit residential project will build upon the success of the Phase I Commercial project—completed in 2024—bringing an additional 23K SF of inline retail to the development.
2601 Columbia Pike | Arlington, VA.
All-in, MV+A currently has approximately 3,000 units in design development, construction documents, or permitted across the DMV and beyond. On average, five to ten percent of our residential projects includes affordable housing. All 262-units of our NoBe II Residential project for SCG Development will be affordable featuring: studio, one-, two-, three-, and four-bedroom apartments available to families earning no more than 30% to 70% of area median income. Our commitment to affordable housing remains strong and our output robust.
NoBe II Residential | North Bethesda, MD.
Top :, Herndon Multifamily | Herndon, VA; Bottom from Left: Elms Dunn Loring | Dunn Loring, VA, and Isaac Newton Square | Reston, VA.
Top: Academy Yard Multifamily | Odenton, MD. Bottom from Left: Prospect Hill Residential | Greenville, SC and Trolley Square Apartments | Wilmington, DE.
Reservoir District | Washington, DC
Retail Rallies On
2025 was a robust year for retail. While MV+A completed one new, ground-up Town Center in White Oak, MD, we also completed multiple retail center renovations including a major refresh of West Springfield Shopping Center in Springfield, VA.
Additional, ongoing projects include our work on Cascades Marketplace in Sterling, VA, for which we received approval of a Sign Development Plan, as construction continues to reveal this significant transformation.
At Lulah Hills in DeKalb, GA, we are advancing design for retail pad sites as well as a major grocery anchor.
We’re also working on three new projects for Sprouts Farmer’s Markets as part of our Reservoir District project in DC and at two other locations in Maryland and Virginia.
White Oak Town Center | White Oak, MD
West Springfield Shopping Center | Springfield, VA
White Oak Town Center | White Oak, MD
Lulah Hills | DeKalb, GA
In Dale City, VA, MV+A recently completed a refresh and rebranding for four neighborhood shopping centers – Center Plaza, Glendale Plaza, Forestdale Plaza, and Mapledale Plaza and are now focused on future tenant opportunities at these sites.
Dale City Re-Fresh Projects | Clockwise from Top Left: Center Plaza, Glendale Plaza, Mapledale Plaza, and Forestdale Plaza.
Construction of the retail pavilion at Westbard Square is nearly complete as the Phase II Mixed-Use Residential project moves towards construction.
Westbard Square Retail Pavilion | Bethesda, MD
Our long-term collaboration with Whole Foods Market continued with the opening of a new, relocated store in Reston, VA. This project involved the repositioning of a former Best-Buy store. Kyle Mincey took us on a tour via Instagram.
Additional ground-up stores in the works include locations in Greenville, South Carolina, Avon, Colorado, and Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.
Reston Whole Foods Market | Reston, VA
Clockwise from Top: Whole Foods Market Projects in Greenville, SC, Avon, Colorado, and Rehoboth Beach, DE.
Looking Ahead
This holiday season, we’re especially grateful for all the remarkable people we have the privilege to work with every day. From our clients and project stakeholders to our consultants and in-house team, each person demonstrates unwavering professionalism, competence, and determination—qualities that drive the success of every project we undertake together. It is this sense of gratitude that fills us with optimism and excitement for the year ahead.
Wishing you all a Happy Holiday Season from all of us at MV+A!
