16 Places Where Marriott Could Re-Locate
Start your engines, the race is on. Assuming it’s the real deal and not just a bid for Maryland tax incentives, here’s some sites that seem to meet CEO Arne Sorenson’s statement yesterday that the Bethesda behemoth is looking for a new million SF HQ location, close to Metro, and ready around 2020 or so. In no particular order:
1. Burnham Place.
This is the 3M SF Akridge plans to build over the tracks at Union Station in 2018. Upside: No one will ever be late for Amtrak, MARC, or Metro; or unable to cure their munchies with the Food Court so close. And some big Marriott signage near the Capitol won't hurt the firm's political clout.
2. The Old FBI Building.
Well, that would be timely; all those current bidders for the new suburban FBI HQ who will be getting this site in return will know what tenant to start talks with. Additional upside: Marriott will seem like a big enchilada right there on the Nation’s Blvd near the Canadian Embassy, Newseum, and Justice Department. Downside: Marriott officials might not want to look out their windows and see the Trump Hotel.
3. Key Bridge Marriott.
This site has nostalgic symbolism going for it—the second hotel in the chain and longest continually operating one, now in its 56th year. Downside: a shame to lose these views for paying guests.
4. Rosslyn.
Monday Properties' 1812 North Moore has introduced many to the fact that the best views of DC are from Virginia, and has immediate availability so Marriott could prove its seriousness by deploying functions there to test the area. If it's a go, both Vornado and JBG also have adjacent sites to build more on, and Monday plans other buildings on nearby Wilson Blvd. And Dulles and DCA are both a straight shot.
5. White Flint Mall.
Just in time for help catalyze the new Pike District, or maybe even get it renamed the Marriott District.
6. Fannie Mae.
An idyllic location deep in the city that's becoming available in three years when the incumbent moves to Carr's 15th Street. Presumably Marriott would replace the building, and not just because despite its beauty, it's old, inefficient, and too small. But also because, although its homey look was perfect for Fannie's motto that home ownership is the American dream, in Marriott's case you wouldn't want to sent out such signals for, uh, Airbnb.
7. Pentagon City.
Marriott properties are ubiquitous in Arlington County, which could make Vornado's already-approved 2.1mm SF Pen Place seem like a natural.
8. Former SAIC Campus.
Meridian's 18-acre former SAIC site could be re-done to give Marriott the best of both worlds: the greenery and open space of its current Fernwood Drive Bethesda location, but adjacent to the urban feel of Route 7.
9. Former Intelsat Campus.
Marriott could help revitalize the Van Ness area of DC, and instead of retrofitting these old futuristic buildings, hire cutting-edge architects to create an updated vision like Google's doing in Mountain View.
10. Crystal City.
1900 Crystal Drive is already zoned for big things.
11. Reston Town Center.
Reston Town Center has reinvented urban in the suburbs, and as the Silver Line arrives, the next phase of expansion will be beckoning for more great anchors.
12. Capitol Crossing.
Property Group Partners is planning to cover I-395 here with a platform for 2M SF. Of course some tax assistance may be necessary. Can't DC do a trade for room-nights?
13. Tysons Galleria redevelopment.
But would it be too close for comfort to Hilton's HQ?
14. Capitol Riverfront.
Here's a picture taken this morning of the former National Geospatial Agency site that can support 1.8M SF at Forest City's Yards which is now a scraped lot at M & New Jersey in Capitol Riverfront. Maybe Marriott could get a deal if it simultaneously became title sponsor of nearby Nats Park.
15. Spring Hill Station, Tysons.
What Tyco Blvd and Route 7 could look like. Call Aaron Georgelas to work out details.
16. Dulles Airport vicinity.
We're not suggesting Marriott take over the airport, of course, but rather any of the sprawling sites around it. This might not strictly meet Marriott's suggestion that it's looking for "urban," but it will certainly be easy for their huge international team to hop on a plane to any city in the world.
