Birch & Broad, Falls Church, Va.
RETROFIT TEAM
ARCHITECT: Cooper Carry
OWNER: Federal Realty Investment Trust
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT: Studio39
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER: WRA
ELECTRICAL ENGINEER: SSA
CIVIL ENGINEER: Walter L. Phillips
MATERIALS
The following is a sampling of materials used in the project:
WALL PANELS: Meteon Panels in Anthracite Grey and Pura Panel System in Classic Oak and Siberian Larch from Trespa
METAL STANDING-SEAM ROOF, CANOPIES: Petersen
ARCHITECTURAL PANELS: Stonewood Architectural Panels
COMPOSITE SHINGLE ROOF: DaVinci Roofscapes
STACKED STONE: Nantucket from Eldorado Stone
CLAY PAVERS: Manganese Ironspot from Endicott
THE RETROFIT
Last renovated more than 30 years ago, Falls Plaza, an 11-acre local shopping center, has been transformed into Birch & Broad (named for historical crossroads in Falls Church), a walkable, modern retail district designed in a Falls Church community context. The owner aimed to transform the stop-and-shop center into a comfortable community space, where visitors would want to make multiple visits, as well as linger and connect with neighbors.
The renovation focused on expanding sidewalks to enhance outdoor dining experiences, elevating the existing retail alley and refreshing the tired façades to create a modern farmhouse design. The design features white-washed brick, contrasting metal roofs and metal accents. Landscape upgrades include new paving, site railings, lighting, planters, public art, bike racks, a central fireplace and furniture.
Because tenants often come and go, the team needed to address ever-changing signage. Trespa and Stonewood Architectural Panels were chosen because individual panels can be switched out without putting the rest of the system at risk.
An emphasis was placed on pedestrian and bike access, given its adjacency to the Washington and Old Dominion Trail and the city’s goals to increase walkability throughout the west end. The addition of curbside parking responds to post-pandemic shopping patterns. The design promotes public art; development-branded murals by local artist BroCoLoCo are at the west end and new east dining area.
Native plants were selected for their adaptive characteristics; other environmentally friendly features and practices include LED lighting, bike parking, green cleaning products, EV stations and tenant sustainability guidelines for fitting-out spaces.
The project reopened in late December 2021 and was fully leased in March 2022. Since the renovation, Birch & Broad remains 100 percent leased.