Happy Thursday, Northern Virginia!
In today’s update:
⚖️ A major court ruling just shook one of the largest data center projects in the world, and its future is now uncertain.
🏓 A popular sport is taking over a prime spot in Tysons, replacing a winter favorite with something new for spring.
🏘️ Construction is just getting started on a new townhouse community near Crystal City. With prices around $1.2 million and a location steps from Metro, this project is drawing early attention.
Scroll down and enjoy!
—Chris Colgan
Click to see it:
Best Things To Do This Weekend
in the NoVA/DC Area
Nate Bargatze: Big Dumb Eyes Tour
Laugh until you cry with Grammy-nominated comedian Nate Bargatze, known for his hit Netflix specials and sharp, relatable humor.
📍 Location: Capital One Arena, Washington, DC
📅 Date: April 2–3 | 7 PM
🎟️ Tickets: Starting at $49+
MORE INFO→
Easter Bunny Kids and Family Festival
An Easter-filled day with egg hunts, games, face painting, live magic, and photos with the Easter Bunny. Bring your own basket and enjoy food, drinks, and family-friendly fun.
📍 Location: Shipgarten, Tysons
📅 Date: April 5 | 12 PM – 6 PM
🎟️ Tickets: Free
MORE INFO→
Petalpalooza at Navy Yard
A full day of music, art, food, and entertainment along the waterfront, ending with a cherry blossom fireworks show set to music.
📍 Location: Navy Yard, Washington, DC
📅 Date: April 5 | 1 PM – 9 PM
🎟️ Tickets: Free
MORE INFO→
🎥 If You’re Relocating to Northern Virgina in 2026 Watch This (Map Tour)
⚖️ Digital Gateway Deal Collapses After Second Court Ruling
Driving the news: A three-judge panel of the Virginia Court of Appeals ruled unanimously Tuesday in favor of local homeowners and preservation groups, voiding the rezoning approval for the massive Digital Gateway data center project.
Details:
The case combined two legal challenges from the Oak Valley Homeowners Association and the American Battlefield Trust.
Judges found Prince William County failed to properly advertise the zoning changes, violating state law.
The ruling affirms a prior 2024 circuit court decision that already halted the project.
The proposed development includes 37 data centers across 2,100 acres near Gainesville.
At full scale, it would span 22 million square feet, roughly equal to 144 Walmart supercenters.
The county has already spent at least $1.6 million defending the project in court.
Why it matters: This decision reinforces that local governments must follow strict public notice rules, giving communities a fair chance to weigh in.
For residents, that means stronger protections against large-scale developments that could affect land, water, and daily life.
The big picture: The Digital Gateway has been one of the most debated data center projects in the U.S., reflecting growing tension between tech infrastructure growth and community concerns over land use and environmental impact.
What’s next: The county and developers still have 30 days to appeal to the Virginia Supreme Court. Until then, the project remains in legal limbo, and construction cannot move forward.
The bottom line: The ruling puts one of the world’s largest planned data center hubs on pause, and sends a strong message about transparency, local oversight, and community voice in major development decisions.
🎥 Northern Virginia Is About to Look VERY Different
🏓 New Free Pickleball Courts Open at Capital One Center in Tysons
Driving the news: Capital One Center is opening four free outdoor pickleball courts at Metro Park, replacing the seasonal ice skating rink outside the north entrance of the McLean Metro station.
Details:
The new courts cover more than 8,000 square feet and include bleacher seating for up to 150 people.
Capital One Center says the courts are built with Laykold hardcourt surfacing, along with nets and striping that meet USA Pickleball standards.
They will be open daily from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. through early November.
Players can walk up and play for free, though Capital One Center recommends reserving a slot in advance through Court Reserve.
Guests should also bring their own paddles and balls, since only a limited amount of equipment will be available onsite.
The big picture: Capital One has been expanding the public side of its campus for several years.
After opening The Perch in 2021, the company has recently put more focus on street-level attractions.
That includes Metro Park, a large playground at Capital One East Park and more ground-floor restaurants and retail.
Between the lines: The court opening lines up with a broader push to draw more people to Capital One Center beyond office hours.
It also arrives alongside spring programming, including the return of the development’s Easter egg hunt on Saturday, April 4.
What’s next: The pickleball courts are expected to stay in place through early November before the ice skating rink likely returns for the winter season.
Meanwhile, Capital One is still growing, with more development planned on its existing campus and additional land recently purchased nearby in Scotts Run.
🏘️ Crystal City Growth Continues with 42 New Townhouses Underway
Driving the news: Highlands Row, a new 42-home townhouse project at Crystal House Apartments along S. Fern Street, is moving into the next stage, with foundation work expected next month and full completion projected for May 2027.
Details:
The homes will have three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, about 2,000 square feet of interior space, and two garage parking spaces.
Prices are around $1.2 million.
Fifteen homes have already sold.
The project is part of a larger five-phase redevelopment plan that will add 865 homes to the broader Crystal House site.
New apartment construction is also underway nearby, with studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom units in the pipeline.
Why it matters: This is a good sign for the Crystal City area because it adds new housing options in a fast-growing part of Arlington.
It also brings more long-term residents, more foot traffic for nearby businesses, and more energy to a neighborhood already seeing steady change.
The big picture: The townhouse project is part of a broader push to add more housing near transit, jobs, and retail in National Landing.
That kind of growth can help meet demand in one of the region’s busiest development corridors.
Between the lines: EYA’s project is being marketed as the first true townhouse community within easy walking distance of both Metro stations.
That gives buyers a rare mix of space, transit access, and urban convenience.
What’s next: Foundation work is expected to begin next month.
If the current timeline holds, the first completed homes should arrive in May 2027 as the larger Crystal House redevelopment keeps moving forward.
Our Current Local Market Numbers
In Other News…
Made it this far?
Reply and let me know what you liked the most and what you’d like to see in next week’s newsletter. See ya!
💬 Let’s Connect: Buying, Selling, or Growing Your Brand in Northern Virginia?
Whether you’re looking to move to Fairfax, Prince William, Winchester, Alexandria, Arlington, or Reston — or want help growing your business with smart, local content I’ve got you covered.
📍 Explore homes for sale across Northern Virginia
📲 DM me on Instagram for real estate or content marketing help
💼 Visit ColganTeam.com to learn more or collaborate on your next project
Chris Colgan - EXP Realty Powered by Place
> Email me anytime:
[email protected]
> Search homes for sale in Northern Virginia:
http://www.colganrealestate.com/
> Follow me on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/chriscolganteam/
> Subscribe to my YouTube Channel:
@ChrisColgan