Fairfax City, VA – Construction is officially set to begin on The Botanist, a new seven-story apartment community that will transform an office parking lot at 10350 Eaton Place into a modern, mixed-use residential hub. Developers Middleburg and Capital City Real Estate (CCRE) confirmed that land acquisition and financing are complete, paving the way for the project to break ground immediately.

The development will deliver 260 units, ranging from one- to three-bedroom floor plans, with 16 homes set aside as affordable dwelling units under Fairfax City’s 2020 ADU program. Delivery of the first residences is expected by the third quarter of 2027.

“The project represents a rare new supply opportunity in an infill market with limited Class A mid-rise development currently under construction,” the companies said in a joint press release. “It reflects both the strength of the Fairfax rental market and the quality of the planned community.”

The Botanist is being promoted as a “luxury, amenity-rich residential community,” offering residents ground-floor retail, co-working areas, a fitness center, a swimming pool, and a 10-level parking garage. Developers emphasized the project’s role in bringing new housing to a region where development sites are increasingly scarce.

This new apartment building represents Phase 1 of a broader redevelopment plan for WillowWood Plaza, an office complex built in the 1980s. Fairfax City Council approved the first phase in July 2024. A potential Phase 2 would add around 50 townhomes and an additional parking structure, though updated plans for that portion have yet to be submitted.

Middleburg’s Chief Investment Officer, Kory Geans, said the partnership with CCRE will allow them to “combine decades of multifamily expertise with local market knowledge to deliver best-in-class investment opportunities.”

Meanwhile, CCRE managing partner Chris Love highlighted the company’s regional presence, stating: “Both organizations are deeply experienced in markets with strong fundamentals, and we look forward to delivering an exceptional product that will serve the Fairfax community for years to come.”

Middleburg, based in Vienna, Virginia, is best known for its multifamily projects across the Southeast, making The Botanist its first major Northern Virginia development. Capital City Real Estate, with offices in D.C. and Atlanta, has completed more than 40 residential projects across the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic. The firm currently has five projects underway, including The Botanist.

The project signals a significant shift in Fairfax’s development trajectory, turning underutilized office land into housing and retail, reflecting broader regional trends toward adaptive reuse and mixed-use redevelopment.

Once complete, The Botanist is expected to become a centerpiece of Fairfax City’s evolving urban fabric—balancing modern living, affordability, and amenities with a location that offers quick access to Fairfax Boulevard and Chain Bridge Road.

Originally reported by Jared Serre in FFX Now.