Demolition finally began on Tuesday the Reston International Center’s retail buildings.
The businesses there closed over the last 18 months to make way for JBG’s large, mixed-use extension of Reston Heights.
Wells Fargo Bank shut down in the summer of 2014, followed by Chili’s in December 2014. By August, the strip that housed Reston Kebob, a 7-Eleven and a dry cleaners closed too.
After months of pre-construction work and asbestos removal, the wrecking ball made quick work of the Reston Kabob strip, demolishing it in one day. Chili’s is still a work in progress.
The stand-alone Popeyes will remain throughout the redevelopment.
JBG’s Reston Heights Phase 2 will include a six-story residential building; a 15-story residential building; a five-story building that incorporates a parking garage with residences and retail space; and a 10-story building that mixes office space, parking and retail space.
One major tenant, 24-Hour Fitness, has been signed for Phase 2.