Anyone know what the new building is going to be at the corner of 28 & 29 (or more technically, 29 and Old Centreville Rd.--directly across from the classy adult video store and equally classy psychic.)

This thing has been going up for months at a snail's pace, and there still aren't any signs or advertisements... Unusual architecture, as well. Just wondering WTF it is.

This is just my assumption, but those kind of buildings are all over the world; I have seen those 'type' in other countries. I think it will be a shopping plaza, or just a block with investor/realtor/insurance offices.

That's the odd thing, though--it seems that if it were a commercial/retail place, we'd be bombarded with "coming soon" signs; but that's not the case at all. There hasn't been anything. Plus, with the commercial real estate market as bad as it is... (Tower Records--R.I.P.--has sat vacant for nearly a year in a prime location...)

I originally though it might be a restaurant, considering the apparent "window seating" on the upper level and the amount of time it's taking to build. Then I thought perhaps another bank... (At one point, it looked like they might be adding a drive-thru, but that changed as well.) Either way, it seems like we'd have seen a "coming soon" notice or two by now.

I might have to just drive over to the work site and ask the crew, "Excuse me--what the hell are you guys building, anyway?" :)



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/04/2007 08:27AM by BKLN.

It is a regional detention facility for illegal aliens

I think it may be too small for that.
:P

Too Small, Gerry Connolly wouldn't want a big facility

now that's funny...regional detention center...LOL It is entirely too small for that.

I did hear that it was going to be a club of some sort.

Whatever it is, they are taking their sweet ass time building it. I'm so used to seeing it in mid-construction that it just blends into the background now.

BKLN Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> That's the odd thing, though--it seems that if it
> were a commercial/retail place, we'd be bombarded
> with "coming soon" signs; but that's not the case
> at all.

They've been working on that building so long that "coming soon" doesn't really seem appropriate. I mean, it is finally starting to look like it is close to completion, but if the history is any indication, it could still be another year before it opens.

Well...the county permits show the name of the business to be "Sangria Restaurant"...so maybe a Spanish/Tapas type of restaurant.

Whatever it turns out to be, it better be good.

It is going to be an Auto Plaza. I saw the sign and the now hiring sign this morning on my way to work.

Sooo... an auto plaza that serves sangria? Interesting.

It's called ALTO Plaza...not auto. Casual dining on the first 2 floors & Live jazz & cigars on the 3rd floor (reservations only). Expect Nuevo Latino tapas downstairs & continental standards like lobster and steak above.

That sounds more like it.

Aggggghhhhhhh, no more bong hit before work! My bad for the misinformation peoples.

It doesn't seem that big of a hangout. I'd expect it to be really crowded and difficult to move around in.

Actually, there are "coming soon" signs up now, but I can't think of the name of the place though. I think it's some type of Korean lounge/bar. The entrance way has korean/japanese/chinese (pick one) symbols. I think the structure itself looks pretty cool, and Centreville could definitely use a new/classy bar, but look at the area they have for parking.....THERE IS NONE!

All I can say is that it is an inappropriate architectural style, sparsely landscaped, and is ver visible from multiple directions. I suppose the crazy restaurant use will last all of 2 days, turn into some kind of nightclub, be in the paper all the time, the COunty will crack down on them, then it will be bought by the folks who own the IHOP shopping center, and will be split into a nail salon, dry cleaners, market, and Dr's office on upper floors.

What a waste of a prime location, right where the so called "historic distric" is supposed to be. Thanks BOS and planning commission you really asked for it this time to let it go in by-right.

I still can't believe it took a freaking year to build. Houses go up in less than 3 months, and this monstrosity took a year.

It also seemed like they were suddenly working day and night, trying to finish in time for New Year's Eve. Wasn't gonna happen.

I actually agree with Anon-119's theory that the building won't serve its original purpose for very long. I hate to sound pessimistic, but I doubt it survives as "Alto Plaza" longer than it took to build.

I'm seeing shades of what happened to Il Lupo in Fairfax City recently--a nice restaurant dumps beaucoup bucks into a larger space and expands to a club atmosphere, only to screw up by losing their liquor license (selling alcohol to minors) and ultimately being shut down. The good news, however, is that it's now a Hard Times Cafe.

its an upscale steakhouse with a lounge upstairs

With site plan design, submission to the County, review and approvals, building permits, etc., usually buildings like this take abotu 2 1/2 years from conception to be finished (some longer).

You only need to look at Fairfax City's plethora of "ritzy" restaurants, Il Lupo, Bellisimo now for sale, Rain is not doing well, the French restaurant sold, Rioux 123 taking over the B&B, and the list goes on and on. I can't believe the County woudl seriously let this go in underparked. It does not meet parking standards in the Zoning Ordinance. Not smart to have drunks play frogger walking across the road to IHOP.

Seriously, the porn shop should just move in if Walgreens ever happens. Total lack of vision on the planning commission/County planning to let the "historic district" just be overtaken by a bunch of architecturally wrong structures on pad sites without massive consolidation. I have a general concern with a lack of substantial landscaping to act as a buffer on newly developed sites also. The new complex near Stone next to Goodyear barely has a few twigs planted in the ground, whereas it should be fronting the street and should have massive landscaping buffers. it's about time to bring the codes out of the 70's and 80's Fairfax.

All in all, I suppose it blends in with the $700,000 tract housing at Pickwick and 29. That's about the worst housing project I have ever seen.

119

So... now that they're finally up and running...
Has anyone been there yet to check it out yet, and if so, what's the word?

some friends have gone and have had the worst meal ever! one couple went to the upper "VIP" section. they were dressed for fine dining. the food apparently was less than mediocre and it was clear that they used canned food, i.e. sauteed mushrooms. they said other people eating in the upper level were dressed in sweatshirt and jeans! the service was terrible and their bill was over $200. they said it was in fact the worst meal they have ever had. That isn't the first time I've heard that. I wouldn't set foot in there, not even for one drink. Place your bets how long it will be before it's a shopping center with a dry cleaners and a pizza joint.

BKLN Wrote:
>> So... now that they're finally up and running... Has anyone been there yet to check it out yet, and if so, what's the word?

Alot of comments located in this thread ----> http://www.fairfaxunderground.com/forum/read/2/68972.html

Well thats what it used to be didn't it. there used to be a dry cleaners and i think a haircutery there, never went but always passed it. Personally that spot it PRIME land/location because from that point you can see all of centreville (great view) especially in the fall. anyways....

okay- so against my will I went to Alto Plaza to meet a friend for a drink. I swore I wasn't going to hit that place...oh well. My husband and I each had one drink on the 3rd floor. Our bill was $17!! We just had regular rail drinks, nothing fancy. So each drink was freakin' 8.50 where anyplace else they would have been about 3.50-4.00. Now I am certain I won't go there again. what a rip off. it's such a wannabe place. Does not fit the c'ville area at all.

I get the sense that business isn't quite as booming as the owners' had hoped.

Already, they've replaced the "restaurant & lounge" portion of their custom signage with a hideous larger generic sign on both sides of the building... I'm guessing somebody felt that people couldn't read the small lettering, and surely that must be why we're not still packing 'em in every night.

I give it til the end of the year, unless something changes drastically. (i.e. prices and service). I seriously think it will close in less time than it took to build the place.