Fairfax County seeks proposals to turn a vacant store into an arts or entrepreneurial space

The Container Store on Leesburg Pike, before it closed.

For the first project in Fairfax County’s new program “to transform vacant commercial spaces into economic development destinations,” the county is seeking proposals for repurposing the former Container Store building in Tysons.

The project, “Activate Fairfax: 8508 Uncontained,” is the pilot for the county’s Department of Economic Initiatives, which is aimed at supporting entrepreneurship and create vibrant spaces.

The county purchased the empty building, at 8505 Leesburg Pike, in October 2019 from a JBG affiliate for $16.6 million, the Washington Business Journal reports. The Container Store relocated across the street to 8459 Leesburg Pike in 2018.

Eventually, the building will be demolished, as a new grid of streets is planned for that area as part of the redevelopment of Tysons.

Meanwhile, the county is seeking proposals for using the building “to boost innovation and entrepreneurship, demonstrate creative placemaking, and feature the Made in Fairfax Network.” Additionally, the space could be used for “dynamic pop-up, cultural, artistic, or community-oriented programming aligned with these goals.”

Proposals are due April 20. Visit this page for more information.