The landscape of Bristow changes quickly, so readers may or may not have paid much notice to new construct on the corner of Linton Hall and Devlin Road.
Those who pay reasonable attention to detail may have figured out the large green building is a soon to be Walgreens, but has anyone wondered about the future of the rest of the eight acres located at the center of Bristow?
Sameer Patel, one of three investors in the property, provided Bristow Beat with further insight into the endeavor.
“This area was suppose to residential,” said Patel, “but we believe that residential had hit a wall (as did) people’s appetites for new homes.”
The investors wanted to make sure that they could build something that would be of value to Bristow residents. They surmised people would appreciate a place to dine, shop and interact as a community.
“They’re was no binding nucleus to create a viable sustainable community,” said Patel, “just a bunch of disparate neighborhoods. We feel that we’re at the hub of the wheel. It should be a place for a congregation. That’s why we called it a “commons.”
But before investors finalized plans for Bristow Commons, they took their questions directly to community members.
“Our whole approach has always been grass roots. We would literally sit on people’s decks and explain what we were doing,” said Patel. “We felt like it was important for the success of the long-term viability of Bristow to have long-term input.”
Besides Patel knew that people would support the new shopping center if it offered them what they feel they needed.
“In general people want friendly places to eat with their kids, a good mix of things that are convenient and amenities that people would consider a treat,” said Patel.
Patel knew Bristow is a thriving community of upwardly mobile young families, who want to take part in the creation of their young community, so he took their taste into consideration when choosing a design for Bristow Commons as well.
“We know that people spent a lot of money on their houses, so they want something nice. We were inspired by Fairfax Corner; we want to blend the community with the upscale nature of Bristow,” said Patel.
Number one on people’s wish list for Bristow Commons is a place to buy organic food, and Bristow Commons has already forged an agreement with Smart Market, the Sunday open air market, which features responsible grown food from small independent farms in Virginia, Maryland and West Virginia.
People have also suggested they want to see a coffee shop, spa and restaurants at the Commons. Patel expects Bristow Commons to be a convenient place to shop and dine, while offering modern aesthetics and specialty shops that enhance the experience of dining and shopping in and around Bristow.
Bristow Commons will begin construction in spring of 2012 and should be ready as of late autumn 2012.
For more information about Bristow Commons visit their website.
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