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PenPlace

Location

The approximately 11-acre site is located in Pentagon City within the Aurora Highlands neighborhood. The site is bordered by Army Navy Drive (north), South Eads Street (east), 12th Street South (south), and South Fern Street (west). It is adjacent to the Crystal City Civic Association and I-395., Arlington, VA 22202 View Map

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Status

Approved

This reports the status related to the Site Plan Review Process only (Administrative Regulations 4.1).

About the Project

Site Plan #105

The next phase of Amazon’s HQ2 is a proposed redevelopment of the PenPlace block in Pentagon City. The applicants, Acorn LLC and JBG Smith, acting as Amazon’s development consultant, submitted a proposed site plan application on February 2, 2021.

The proposal includes approximately 3.3 million square feet divided across four buildings.

Three 22-story office buildings with ground floor retail
One destination- and amenity-focused building called “The Helix,” a unique biophilic double helix structure with plantings native to the Mid-Atlantic region.

In addition, the proposal includes a 2.5-acre public open space , detached retail pavilions, and underground vehicular access. Specific details of the open space will be evaluated through a Park Master Plan process.

Buildings will be designed for LEED Platinum certification and tailored towards achieving the County’s Community Energy Plan goals. In addition, the project would contribute to the County’s utility fund, public art, and streetscape improvements.

The proposed development would supersede the approved plan for Pen Place adopted by the County Board in 2013.

The application will require:

Pentagon City Phased Development Site Plan (PDSP) Amendment
Revised Pen Place Design Guidelines
Site Plan Amendment to incorporate the Residence Inn by Marriott property
New Site Plan for proposed development of Pen Place (capturing all phases)
Park Master Plan (PMP) for the design of the public open spaces on the site

Learn more:

Applicant Materials

April 19, 2022

Area Tabulation Update(PDF, 546KB)

April 4, 2022

Civil Sheet Updates(PDF, 24MB)

March 24, 2022

Landscape updates(PDF, 36MB)

March 22, 2022

Encroachment exhibit(PDF, 1MB)

February 22, 2022

January 20, 2022

October 28, 2021

Updated 4.1 Plan Sheets

August 17, 2021

July 2, 2021

Updated 4.1 Plan Sheets

February 2, 2021

March 19, 2021

Revised site plan supporting documents
Revised Phased Development Site Plan Amendment
Revised site plan drawings: Civil | Architecture | Landscape

Public Process

This project will undergo public review via a virtual Site Plan Review Process. Learn more
Site Plan Review Committee (SPRC)
- The SPRC Chair for the site plan review process is Tenley Peterson.
- The SPRC Co-Chair is Elizabeth Gearin.
- SPRC Members for PenPlace(PDF, 76KB)

Timeline	Milestone / Meeting	Materials
February 2021	Site Plan Acceptance	PenPlace Site Plan application materials and site plan drawings Pentagon City Phased Development Site Plan Amendment (includes proposed revised PenPlace Design Guidelines) Site Plan Amendment to Discontinue Residence Inn by Marriott Site Plan
March 25, 2021 View meeting recording	Community Kick-Off Meeting (virtual)	Staff Presentation Applicant Presentation(PDF, 9MB)
April 19, 2021 View meeting recording	Virtual Long Range Planning Committee (LRPC) Meeting	Meeting Agenda Applicant Presentation Staff Presentation
May 12, 2021 View meeting recording	Virtual Long Range Planning Committee (LRPC) Meeting	Meeting Agenda Applicant Presentation Staff Presentation
May 12 - June 2, 2021	First Virtual Engagement Opportunity Park Master Plan (PMP) Amendment (led by Department of Parks and Recreation)
July 13, 2021 View meeting recording	Virtual Long Range Planning Committee (LRPC) Meeting	Meeting Agenda Applicant Presentation
October 2021	Site Plan Review Kickoff	Staff Presentation on Background and Zoning \| Slides(PDF, 1020KB)
October 28 - November 7, 2021	Online Engagement Opportunity Review Focus: development proposal summary, site layout, building form and architecture, open space, transportation, community benefits and sustainability	Online Engagement Welcome Message Staff Presentation \| Slides Applicant Presentations Design Changes \| Slides Master Plan \| Slides Architecture \| Slides Circulation & Site Design \| Slides Sustainability \| Slides Staff Report Collected Comments and Staff and Applicant responses(PDF, 625KB)
October 28, 2021 4 p.m.	Walking Tour Meet outside the Bartlett lobby, 520 12th St. S.	Map(PDF, 5MB)
December 6, 2021 View meeting recording	Site Plan Review Committee (SPRC) Meeting (Virtual) Agenda Topics: Pentagon City Plan alignment, building architecture, public space	Staff Report(PDF, 4MB) Staff Presentation Slides(PDF, 3MB) Staff Presentation Video Applicant Presentation Slides(PDF, 11MB)
December 6 - 27, 2021	Second Virtual Engagement Opportunity Park Master Plan (PMP) Amendment (led by Department of Parks and Recreation)	PMP Amendment webpage
January 24, 2022 View meeting recording	Site Plan Review Committee (SPRC) Meeting (Virtual) Agenda topics: 1. Changes since last meeting 2. Sustainability 3. Transportation 4. Phasing and Construction Routing	Staff Video \| Staff Presentation Slides(PDF, 981KB) \| Staff Report(PDF, 4MB) Applicant Video \| Applicant Slides(PDF, 14MB) \| Material Boards(PDF, 8MB)
February 10, 2022 View meeting recording	Site Plan Review Committee (SPRC) Meeting (Virtual) Community Benefits and Wrap-Up	Staff Report(PDF, 4MB) \| Staff Presentation \| Staff Presentation Slides(PDF, 3MB) Applicant Presentation \| Applicant Presentation Slides(PDF, 14MB) Arlington Community High School Fact Sheet(PDF, 236KB) \| Arlington Community High School Documentary
April 4, 2022	Planning Commission Meeting	Planning Commission meeting materials and agenda Sign up to speak
April 23, 2022	County Board Meeting	County Board meeting materials and agenda

*Process timelines are subject to change as needs arise. Check back for updates.

Background

The County Board approved a Phased Development Site Plan amendment for the PenPlace block in 2013. If approved, this proposal will supersede the previous approval.