Happy Thursday, Northern Virginia!
In today’s update:
🌐 Loudoun built the world’s largest data center hub... but now, tech developers are spreading. Billion-dollar data projects are popping up in places you’ve barely heard of. This is about power, politics, and what comes next for Virginia’s economy.
🏛️ Trump just dropped a new image of his $400 million White House ballroom, and it’s already drawing fire from historians. The East Wing is gone, the design is bold, and the controversy is growing.
🫧 Northern Virginia has a hidden wellness scene that goes way beyond the typical day spa. From heated pools and hydrotherapy baths to body scrubs and sauna rooms, these Korean spas offer a totally different kind of reset.
Scroll down and enjoy!
—Chris Colgan
Click to see it:
Best Things To Do This Weekend
in the NoVA/DC Area
34th Annual Chocolate Lovers Festival
Calling all chocolate lovers. Head to Fairfax’s annual Chocolate Lovers Festival to satisfy your cocoa cravings. Enjoy balloon animals, a mock trial, a one-mile run, and plenty of sweet treats in a fun, family-friendly setting.
📍 Location: Old Town Fairfax, Fairfax
📅 Date: Feb 6 – 8
🎟️ Tickets: Free
MORE INFO→
Rumors: The Ultimate Fleetwood Mac Tribute
Relive the glory days of Fleetwood Mac with this high-energy tribute to their iconic album Rumors, featuring ’70s and ’80s-inspired costumes, classic equipment, and unforgettable performances.
📍 Location: Capital One Hall, Tysons
📅 Date: Feb 7 | 7 PM
🎟️ Tickets: $50+
MORE INFO→
Super Bowl Sunday at Shipgarten
Catch the big game on wall-to-wall screens while enjoying hot food, cold drinks, and an energetic game-day atmosphere. Whether you’re there for football or the commercials, it’s a fun night out for everyone.
📍 Location: Shipgarten, McLean
📅 Date: Feb 8 | 6 PM
🎟️ Tickets: Free
MORE INFO→
🎥 Inside Northern Virginia's TOP Place to Live in 2026: Arlington, VA
Most people think Arlington is just a concrete extension of DC. But with 157 parks, a 3-minute commute to the airport, and Amazon bringing 25,000 new jobs, it has become the #1 spot to live in Northern Virginia for 2026.
In this video, I break down exactly why buyers are flocking here—from the "Walker's Paradise" of Clarendon to the hidden affordable pockets in Shirlington. I also reveal the real cost of living (it’s not what you think) and who this county is actually perfect for.
🌐 The New Map of Virginia’s Data
Center Economy
Driving the news: Northern Virginia's long reign as the world’s data center capital is facing new headwinds. Developers are now looking to places like King George, Stafford, and Caroline counties as the next hot spots for growth.
Details:
Loudoun County (home to over half of Virginia’s current data centers) has tightened zoning laws and removed by-right development on most open land.
Prince William is also facing public resistance, pushing legislators to propose limiting data centers to industrial zones only.
Developers cite zoning and power access as make-or-break issues.
New sites are taking off in places like:
Stafford County (18% of proposed sites)
King George (12%)
Hanover County (10%)
Companies like Amazon, Google, and CleanArc are investing billions in counties further from the D.C. metro.
By the numbers:
58% of Virginia’s operating data centers are in Loudoun.
Just 16% of proposed new centers are planned there.
A single project in King George is expected to bring in up to $120M annually in local tax revenue.
Amazon’s latest campus in Spotsylvania spans 329 acres.
Between the lines: Community opposition is rising. Developers now aim for early public engagement and clarity from local governments to avoid costly delays or cancellations.
The bottom line: Virginia’s data center dominance isn’t fading, it’s spreading. Northern Virginia remains a data center powerhouse, but its future growth will likely look different: slower, more selective, and shaped by public input.
🎥 Northern Virginia Will Never Be the Same (Three Defining Takeaways of 2025)
Discover the massive changes coming to Northern Virginia!
🏛️ Trump Releases Renderings of New $400M White House Ballroom
Driving the news: President Trump has unveiled a fresh rendering of the planned White House Ballroom — a towering new structure replacing the East Wing. He called it “the greatest of its kind ever built.”
Details:
The image, shared on Truth Social, shows the new ballroom from the vantage of the U.S. Treasury.
The 90,000 sq. ft. project is being privately funded by Trump and donors.
Original estimates pegged the cost at $200M, but it’s now nearing $400M.
The project replaces the current East Wing, which was demolished in October 2025.
Why it matters: For NoVA residents, a large-scale White House expansion means more than architectural changes.
Expect potential impacts on:
Tourism: Expanded security zones may shift foot traffic or limit access around D.C.
Traffic & transit: Construction can affect commutes and public transit flow near federal areas.
Civic identity: Preservationists in Virginia worry about losing symmetry in one of the country’s most iconic buildings, something residents in historic districts like Old Town Alexandria or Arlington can relate to.
The big picture: The new ballroom is part of a broader trend of presidents reshaping the White House to match modern needs (and legacies). This project, however, has triggered sharp backlash from historians and preservationists who say it disrupts the balance of classical design and dwarfs the original structure.
By the numbers:
40% larger than original specs
$400 million projected cost (up from $200 million)
Construction began: October 2025
Above-ground work could start as early as April
What’s next: The project still requires approval from two federal review panels. Local voices, including D.C. and NoVA preservation groups, may have limited time to weigh in before construction accelerates.
The bottom line: Whether you see it as a grand addition or a misstep, the White House Ballroom is reshaping more than the skyline, it’s testing the balance between progress and preservation just across the river.
💬 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
🫧 3 Korean Spas in NoVA You Need to Experience
Spa World in Centreville, VA
🔗 Click to see it
Looking for a reset that goes beyond a basic massage or facial?
Northern Virginia is home to several authentic Korean spas (also called jimjilbang) that combine therapeutic water baths, multiple sauna types, and specialty treatments in one place.
Here’s a quick, easy guide to three standout spots worth adding to your wellness bucket list:
King Spa
25330 Eastern Marketplace Plaza, Chantilly
A traditional Korean spa experience with unique heated pools and a calm, immersive atmosphere.
Parkside Spa & Sauna
4371 John Marr Drive, Annandale
Known for their popular full-body scrubs and classic Korean spa essentials.
Spa World
13830 Braddock Road, A10, Centreville
A full water therapy program focused on targeted hydro-massage and skin-friendly soaking.
Before You Go
Day passes let you move freely between amenities
Treatments usually require advance booking
Bathhouse areas are gender-segregated
Some pools require no clothing
Whether you’re new to Korean spas or already a fan, each of these offers a slightly different take on the experience. Try one. Then try another. You might just find your new favorite way to unwind.
Our Current Local Market Numbers
Washington, DC’s housing market remains somewhat competitive. Homes are selling in about 54 days with roughly two offers on average. The median sale price sits near $700K, showing modest year over year growth, even as price per square foot has softened slightly. Sales volume is down compared to last year, signaling a slower but more balanced pace.
For buyers: You’re seeing more breathing room. Homes are taking longer to sell, inventory is less frantic, and there’s more leverage to negotiate price, inspections, or concessions, especially on listings that linger.
For sellers: Pricing strategy matters more than ever. Well prepared, correctly priced homes are still moving, but overpricing can stall momentum fast. Presentation and timing are key in this market.
In Other News…
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Chris Colgan - EXP Realty Powered by Place
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