The McLean Citizens Association is looking to steer Fairfax County away from reducing parking requirements at Tysons Galleria and Tysons Corner Center.
The proposal would affect the four largest malls in Fairfax County — the two in Tysons, Fair Oaks and Springfield Town Center — and was based on a review of the parking rates and demand at large regional malls by consulting firm Nelson/Nygaard.
The firm found that less than 65% of the available spaces were occupied during peak times from a parking count for the Springfield mall and analyzing data from the Fair Oaks mall. The study did not evaluate the two malls in Tysons — alarming the McLean Citizens Association.
“Without a study specifically addressing parking at those two malls, the MCA believes it is inappropriate to reduce the parking requirements at those locations,” the MCA wrote in a letter dated Oct. 30 to the Planning Commission.
The letter goes on to state that “it seems that it is frequently difficult to find a vacant space at the two Tysons malls even during normal weekends throughout the year” and advises the county against approving the change without data about the two Tysons malls.
MCA urges the county to drop the two Tysons malls from the proposal and — going forward — only consider changes to the parking when there is a study done specifically for the affected mall(s).
Fairfax County planners support altering the requirement from four to 2.5 or three parking spaces per 1,000 square feet of gross floor area for the four malls — the recommended change from Nelson/Nygaard.
County staff suggested a rate of 2.8, saying it “is reasonable and will address the oversupply of parking currently experienced at our regional malls.”
The Fairfax County Planning Commission is set to hold a public hearing on the proposal next Wednesday (Nov. 13). Unless indefinitely deferred, the proposal would then head to the Board of Supervisors for a hearing on Dec. 3.
Image via Google Maps
The team behind Sen Khao has a new quick-service sandwich pop-up open in Tysons Galleria’s Urbanspace.
LaoWich recently opened at the mall, according to Tysons Galleria.
The sandwich pop-up shop is located on the third level next to Saks Fifth Avenue, across from Sen Khao.
“Chef Seng is here to cure your sandwich sads with a unique menu of Laotian eats served on brioche buns, all slathered with her signature sen-sauce,” according to Tysons Galleria.
Diners can find a rotating menu of Asian sweets and drinks from 4-6 p.m. at LaoWich.
Photo via LaoWich/Facebook
A new international clothing store is now open in Tysons Galleria.
Ba&sh opened its first store in Virginia on Sept. 26, according to a store spokesperson.
Shoppers can now check out the designer clothing and accessories for women and men on level one by Saks Fifth Avenue.
“Ba&sh is a French fashion brand founded by best friends Barbara and Sharon who wanted to bring to life their dream wardrobe for all occasions,” according to the Tysons Galleria.
The store is open 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Saturday and from noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays.
Photo via Ba&sh/Facebook
Next month, locals will get the chance to weigh in on a proposal to reduce the parking requirements at Tysons Corner Center and Tysons Galleria.
Fairfax County is considering a proposal that would affect the four largest malls in the county — the two in Tysons, Fair Oaks and Springfield Town Center — after a review earlier this year of the parking rates and demand at large regional malls.
Consulting firm Nelson/Nygaard conducted the study from June 5-8 by doing a parking count for the Springfield mall and analyzing data from the Fair Oaks mall. The study found that less than 65% of the available spaces were occupied during peak times, according to county documents.
The study did not evaluate the two malls in Tysons, county spokesperson Crystal Santos said.
When Tysons Reporter asked how the Tysons malls’ parking needs might differ from the two malls analyzed, Santos said:
The county envisions that Tysons will become a walkable, sustainable urban center as it redevelops leading to less car usage in the area and therefore less demand for parking. While Springfield is more urban than Fair Oaks because of bus service and Metrorail, it’s not as urban or accessible through public transportation as the two Tysons malls. We wanted to examine similar, more suburban malls to measure demand on parking for this study.
Santos added that there was a parking study in 2014 in Tysons before the Silver Line stations opened.
“The malls are also included in the Tysons Comprehensive Plan to transform the area into an urban center, as a result, the malls are able to reduce their effective parking rate to less than 2.5 per 1000 square feet of gross floor area through a county review and approval process,” Santos said.
A spokesperson for Tysons Corner Center did not respond to Tysons Reporter’s request for comment on the proposal.
The proposal would alter the requirement from four to 2.5 or three parking spaces per 1,000 square feet of gross floor area — the recommended change from Nelson/Nygaard. County staff is recommending the rate be 2.8 parking spaces.
“This is a more realistic parking requirement and, if implemented, would continue to provide an oversupply of parking at peak demand on weekdays and weekends during all times of the year,” according to county documents. “Overall, the changes will provide Fairfax County’s largest commercial retail centers additional flexibility to react to a changing retail marketplace.”
The Planning Commission plans to hold a public hearing on Nov. 13 at 7:30 p.m. before the Board of Supervisors has one on Dec. 3 at 4 p.m.
Image via Google Maps
Luxury bed company Hästens is now open in Tysons Galleria.
Based in Sweden, the company sells expensive beds — some over six-figures. The company is the official bedding supplier of the Swedish royal court.
This is the first D.C.-area location for the chain. The closest stores are in New York City.
Located on the first level between Coach and Lilly Pulitzer, the store is open from 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Sundays.
Photo via Facebook
Fairfax County may reduce its parking requirements for its largest malls — including Tysons Corner Center and Tysons Galleria.
The proposal would affect four malls in the county — the two in Tysons, Fair Oaks and Springfield Town Center.
A review of the parking rates and demand at large regional malls by consulting firm Nelson/Nygaard found that less than 65% of the available spaces were occupied during peak times, according to county documents.
The proposal would alter the requirement from four to 2.5 or three parking spaces per 1,000 square feet of gross floor area — the recommended change from Nelson/Nygaard.
“This is a more realistic parking requirement and, if implemented, would continue to provide an oversupply of parking at peak demand on weekdays and weekends during all times of the year,” according to county documents.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors is set to vote on Tuesday (Oct. 15) on authorizing public hearings — a Planning Commission one on Nov. 13 at 7:30 p.m. and one before the board on Dec. 3 at 4 p.m.
“Overall, the changes will provide Fairfax County’s largest commercial retail centers additional flexibility to react to a changing retail marketplace,” according to county documents.
Actress Jane Seymour is coming to Tysons to showcase her art.
Seymour will make appearances at Wentworth Gallery’s two locations — Tysons Galleria and the Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda — this weekend.
Known for her roles in “Austenland” and the James Bond film “Live and Let Die,” Seymour has been creating oil and watercolor paintings and sculptures for more than two decades.
Her paintings vary from pastel beach scenes to vibrant flowers, along with many self-portraits and art depicting hearts and angels.
More from the art gallery about the actress and painter:
British born, Jane Seymour most famous for her long-lasting and successful acting career, has evolved into a present-day Renaissance woman. In additon to writing, producing, fashion designing and charity work, Seymour has become an accomplished artist…
Seymour finds sanctuary and peace in her art studio. A lover of culture and nature, she has created exceptional oil paintings, watercolors and limited editions.
Her talent as a watercolorist, in fact, led to the production of a series of greeting cards sold to support her charities. One of her images was featured on a special Discover card, raising money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, following the work’s charity auction at the Guggenheim Museum.
“The Art of Jane Seymour” art show will include a meet and greet from 6-9 p.m. at Tysons Galleria on Saturday (Oct. 12). She will be in Bethesda on Sunday (Oct. 13).
Photo via Jane Seymour Art Show/Facebook
Tysons Galleria has welcomed a new restaurant focused on steak and fries.
“We are a new restaurant specializing in Steak Frites… We prep our ingredients daily in order to ensure only the highest quality food is served,” according to job postings on Snag for Butcher’s Cut.
The restaurant has line cook, cashier and server positions open and pays $15-$18 per hour.
Butcher’s Cut is one of 10 full-service restaurants at the mall, including Lebanese Taverna and the Cheesecake Factory.
Expensive parkas and jackets — many costing upwards of $1,000 — will soon be sold at a new pop-up store from Canada Goose in Tysons Galleria.
The Canadian outerwear store for men and women is “coming soon” to the Tysons mall. A spokesperson said that the store will arrive this fall and declined to say how long the store will be open for.
Canada Goose is known for its parkas and winter wear that often runs in the $800-$1,200 range. The luxury apparel brand announced plans earlier this year to open six stores this fall — two in Europe, one in the U.S. and three in Canada.
The store won’t be the only Canadian outerwear store in the mall — Mackage, a Canadian brand known for its jackets, coats and leather goods, opened a pop-up shop that will be open until April.
Tysons Galleria also recently welcomed international clothing brand Ba&sh on level one by Saks Fifth Avenue.
Photos via Canada Goose/Facebook
Tysons may not have the liveliest nightlife at the moment, but that could soon change as more late-night restaurants and places to hang out open. “Tysons After Dark” will highlight a different spot every week.
Today is National Pepperoni Pizza Day and to celebrate, Tysons Reporter has rounded up eateries and pizza chains in the area serving up pepperoni pies.
New York-style pizza fans are in luck — many of the pizzerias in the area offer that type.
Here’s a list of local pizza places and mostly regional chains that serve up pepperoni pizza options:
- Crust Pizzeria Napoletana (8415 Old Courthouse Road): The locally-owned restaurant serves up Neapolitan pizzas, including a pepperoni one with tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella and fontina.
- Andy’s Pizza (2001 International Drive): Located in Tysons Galleria, Andy’s Pizza offers pepperoni pizza by the slice and whole pizza.
- Lost Dog Cafe (1690A Anderson Road): Known for its specialty sandwiches and dog-themed murals, the local cafe offers three gourmet pizzas with pepperoni — and diners also have their option to create their own.
- Paisano’s (8603 Westwood Center Drive): Diners have their choice between “Paisano’s Supreme” with pepperoni, sausage, ham, meatballs, onions, mushrooms and green peppers and “Meat Lovers ” with pepperoni, sausage, meatballs, ham and cheese. Paisano’s also offers a create-your-own option.
Some national chains in the area include:
- California Pizza Kitchen (7939 Tysons Corner Center, Suite L): The chain offers a variety of pizzas with pepperoni, like “The Works” with spicy Italian sausage, pepperoni, mushrooms, mozzarella, red onions, green peppers, olives and wild Greek oregano or the “Mushroom Pepperoni Sausage” topped with everything in its name. Diners can choose from thin cust, regular crust and gluten-free options.
- Sbarro (1961 Chain Bridge Road): Based on the “original New York slice,” Sbarro serves up a pepperoni pie and stromboli.
- Famous Famiglia (1961 Chain Bridge Road): Don’t want a whole pizza? The Famous Famiglia chain offers pepperoni pizza by the slice, in addition to whole pizzas and pepperoni strombolis.
- Papa John’s (8501 Tyco Road, Suite 1A): Diners have until midnight to decide if they want a pepperoni or meatball pepperoni pizza from the chain at its Tysons location.
- Manhattan Pizza (8365 Leesburg Pike): Located along Leesburg Pike, the pizza place sells the “Brooklyn Meat Pie” with tomato sauce, pepperoni, Italian sausage, ham and meatballs and the “Manhattan Supreme” with tomato sauce, mozzarella, pepperoni, Italian sausage, onions, green peppers and mushrooms.
- &pizza (1961 Chain Bridge Road): &pizza offers gluten-free and vegan dough options. While people can create their own pizzas, one of the popular pizzas there is the “American Honey” with spicy tomato, mozzarella, pepperoni, arugula, goat cheese, hot honey and red pepper flakes, according to the website.
- MOD Pizza (8350 Leesburg Pike): The newly opened eatery in Pike 7 Plaza offers artisan pizzas. The “Mad Dog” has mozzarella, pepperoni, mild sausage, ground beef and red sauce, while the “Tristan” has mozzarella, asiago, roasted red peppers, mushrooms and pesto.
Photo via Lost Dog Cafe/Facebook
