What’s Happening Around Reston and Herndon?
There are a few old buildings around Reston that most people pass without knowing how much local history is tucked inside them. The historic Wiehle Town Hall, also known as the Bowman Distillery building, is one of them, and it has now landed on Preservation Virginia’s “Most Endangered Places” list. With development pressure around the site and renewed attention on its future, this is a good moment to look at why the building matters and what could happen next.
Also inside this week, the local news roundup has updates on Herndon’s Metro area, Lake Anne, Reston Town Center, Reston Station, and a few projects that are still stuck in the planning-and-waiting phase. There are also weekend picks ranging from a board game marathon at RCC Hunters Woods to an outdoor screening of Rudy at Reston Row Plaza and Puppy Yoga at Reston Town Center.
For this week, I would keep Friday evening open if you can. Reston Town Center has jazz and brass at the pavilion, Herndon Town Green has Friday Night Live, and Reston Station is leaning into summer with Fab Fridays. If you want something quieter and more local, the Owl Prowl at Walker Nature Center is a strong pick, especially for families or anyone who likes seeing Reston after the trails get a little still.
Feature Story
MODERN HERNDON TOWNHOME FOR SALE
This nearly new Herndon townhome brings together the things buyers tend to want most: modern finishes, flexible space, and an easy everyday location. Built in 2021 with three bedrooms, three baths, a bright open main level, a standout kitchen, and a covered Sky Lanai, it also puts Woodland Park Crossing, walking paths, green space, Metro, and Dulles just minutes away.
Around Town
HISTORIC RESTON BUILDING AT RISK
The historic Wiehle Town Hall, also known as the Bowman Distillery building, has been added to Preservation Virginia’s “Most Endangered Places” list after more than a century in Reston. With development pressure growing around the property, preservation advocates hope the statewide attention helps protect one of Reston’s oldest remaining pieces of local history before it disappears.
Quick Hits
IN OTHER NEWS
Herndon has adopted new sign standards for development near the Metro station. The rules cover the Herndon Transit-Oriented Core, including the coming Nell at 555 apartments, because apparently even future mixed-use districts need to argue about fonts, brightness and where the sandwich boards go.
Fairfax Water says it is on track to remove the last lead pipes from its service area by the end of the year. Only 15 confirmed lead-based service lines remain in a system with more than 290,000 lines, which is one of those infrastructure updates you hope is boring because boring means the water works.
Fairfax County is moving the idea of a larger Reston Community Center presence near Lake Anne further into the conversation. The possible move would put RCC closer to the Crescent Apartments redevelopment, because nothing says “Reston planning process” like one beloved village center, 13 years left on a lease and a very long public discussion.
Reston Association cut the ribbon on the newly renovated Hook Road Recreation Area ballfields after a year of construction and nearly a decade of planning. The project upgraded amenities, accessibility and field quality, which means local Little League parents now have a fresh new place to lose track of which field their kid is on.
The empty office buildings at 1831 and 1861 Wiehle Avenue are still sitting in limbo, slowing some of the planned walkability improvements around Reston Midline. The sites were once tied to plans for senior living, apartments and a Fresh Market, so for now the area remains in that classic Reston phase known as “eventually, this will be something.”
Collars & Co, the menswear brand that scored a deal on Shark Tank, is opening its first permanent Northern Virginia store at Reston Town Center. The company makes polo shirts with dress-shirt-style collars, which may be the most Reston Town Center product concept ever invented.
MidnighTreats has completed its move from Plaza America to Reston Town Center. The vegan cookie shop now has a smaller but more visible spot on Discovery Street, proving once again that in Reston, the real estate rule is simple: follow the foot traffic and the dessert cravings.
The Planning Commission is backing the next phase of the Lofts at Reston Station, but with a nudge to fix resident complaints first. Issues like loading zones, parking and bike-lane striping came up, because even near Metro, someone still has to figure out where the Amazon truck goes.
Herndon Town Council approved the redevelopment of the former Booz Allen building at 575 Herndon Parkway into a seven-story, 525-unit apartment building. The project also brings retail, commercial space and half of the planned Metro promenade, which is a fancy way of saying Herndon’s station area is finally starting to look like it got the memo that Metro is open.
The Nell at 555 is now taking shape near the Herndon Metro station, with 399 apartments planned plus retail space and a garage. First move-ins are expected in early 2027, giving Herndon a very visible test case for whether “walkable Metro neighborhood” can survive contact with actual Northern Virginia commuting habits.
Curated Events
EVENTS IN RESTON, HERNDON, AND BEYOND
This week’s local lineup has a little bit of everything: science, live music, art, games, movies, and even puppies. Start with a walk along Snakeden Branch at Walker Nature Center, where USGS scientists will show how Reston’s streams are monitored, then roll into a packed Friday night with jazz and brass at Reston Town Center, cover-band fun on the Herndon Town Green, an after-dark Owl Prowl at Walker Nature Center, and yacht-rock vibes at Reston Station. Saturday keeps the momentum going with a 15-hour board game marathon at RCC Hunters Woods, a new collage exhibit opening at Reston Art Gallery on Lake Anne, Big Al & The Jokers returning to Reston Town Center, and an outdoor screening of Rudy at Reston Row Plaza. Cap it off Sunday morning at Reston Town Center Pavilion with Puppy Yoga, where stretching meets adoptable puppy chaos in the best possible way.
A Final Note
YOU KNOW YOU’RE FROM RESTON WHEN…
“…you’ve complained about RTC parking, then still gone back the next weekend.”
Your Next Step
SIMPLE WAYS TO WORK WITH US
Buying or selling, the questions are similar: timing, pricing, and fit. From Reston’s clusters to Herndon’s historic streets—and everywhere along the W&OD—we’ll help you separate noise from what actually moves the needle. Expect data that’s grounded in our local neighborhoods, answers that respect your pace, and options designed to teach first and guide second. Start where you are; we’ll meet you there.
Book 15 minutes with Kathy — a quick intro chat about your plans.
Instant home value estimate — see a data-driven range in seconds.
Curated home picks — tell us your must-haves; we’ll send a short, smart list.
Monthly market brief — a no-jargon snapshot for your neighborhood.
