💪 Onelife Fitness is making a major move in Tysons, with plans to turn the former Saks Fifth Avenue at Tysons Galleria into a 110,000-square-foot fitness and wellness club.

🏙️ Alexandria is moving ahead with a major redesign of its Old Town waterfront, pairing new public spaces with a new plan to reduce chronic flooding near King and Prince streets.

🏈 Shenandoah University has broken ground on a major expansion of its Wilkins Athletics and Events Center, giving several of its athletic programs new locker room space and a more permanent home on campus.

Scroll down and enjoy!

—Chris Colgan

A scenic fall wine-tasting festival with unlimited samples from Virginia wineries, live music, and food, set on the east lawn of George Washington’s Mount Vernon overlooking the Potomac River.
📍 Location: George Washington’s Mount Vernon, Fairfax County
📅 Date: Oct 9–11 | 6–9 PM
🎟️ Tickets: Ticketed
MORE INFO→

Alexandria’s big fall dog-day festival with pet-focused activities, vendors, and family fun.
📍 Location: Oronoco Bay Park, Alexandria
📅 Date: Oct 11 | 11 AM – 4 PM
🎟️ Tickets: Free
MORE INFO→

A free outdoor live-music series by the lake in Reston’s South Lakes Village, ideal for a relaxed weekend afternoon with food and shopping nearby.
📍 Location: South Lakes Village Shopping Center, Reston
📅 Date: Oct 10 | 12 PM
🎟️ Tickets: Free
MORE INFO→

NOT ENOUGH? SEE THE BEST THINGS TO DO THIS MONTH→

Driving the news
The Tysons-based fitness chain confirmed it will open the two-story flagship location in late 2027, replacing its existing gym near The Boro once construction is complete.

Details
The new club at 2201 International Drive will include:

Why it matters
The project gives Tysons another major amenity while filling a large former department store space at the Galleria. It also brings new fitness, recreation and recovery options under one roof for Northern Virginia residents, and Onelife says each of its clubs adds about 100 local jobs.

The big picture
The move is part of a broader Onelife expansion across Northern Virginia and the East Coast. The company has more than 76 locations open or under construction nationwide, with much of its footprint concentrated in the Mid-Atlantic and South.

Between the lines
Onelife’s relocation also clears the way for another potential change in Tysons. Its current 85,300-square-foot building at 8250 Greensboro Drive is targeted for redevelopment into two residential high-rises. Fairfax County is reviewing the rezoning proposal, with a Planning Commission hearing scheduled for Oct. 21.

What’s next
Onelife is also building a 53,000-square-foot club at Mosaic District in Merrifield, expected to open in early 2027. That location will include strength and turf areas, group fitness, boxing, a cold plunge and recovery services.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE→

Driving the news
The city will ask the Board of Architectural Review on Oct. 7 to approve major changes along the waterfront and lower King Street, including brick streets, wider walkways, new promenades and upgraded flood-control infrastructure. The proposal includes:

Why it matters
Flooding has become a costly and frequent problem for Old Town businesses, residents and visitors. The project could help protect one of Alexandria’s busiest commercial and tourism areas while also making the waterfront easier and more attractive to walk.

For the city, the plan offers a chance to address flood risks without placing a large pump station inside Waterfront Park.

The big picture
City Council approved the current approach in June after the National Park Service rejected Alexandria’s earlier proposal for a pump station at Waterfront Park.

The replacement plan relies on an enhanced gravity storm sewer system. Instead of pumping water back into the Potomac, the city plans to use larger drainage infrastructure, valve vaults and outfalls while limiting visible structures above ground.

Between the lines
he new plan represents a major shift from the city’s earlier flood-control strategy.

The previous proposal would have closed Waterfront Park and Point Lumley Park from fall 2026 through fall 2028 while crews rebuilt sections of the seawall and installed the pump station.

Now, Alexandria is trying to solve the same flooding problem with less visible infrastructure while still reshaping much of the public waterfront.

What’s next
The Board of Architectural Review will consider the proposal at 7 p.m. Oct. 7 at the Charles Houston Recreation Center, 901 Wythe Street.

Approval would move Alexandria another step closer to turning the revised flood-control concept into a detailed waterfront construction plan.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE→

Driving the news
The university kicked off construction on Oct. 2 during its 2026 Homecoming and Family Weekend. The expansion is expected to be completed in fall 2027. The project will add:

The expansion is being funded through gifts from Jimmy and Roni Wilkins, Richie and Cara Wilkins, and the James R. Wilkins Charitable Trust.

Why it matters
The project gives Shenandoah student-athletes better facilities while strengthening the university’s athletics hub in Winchester. It also brings the football program closer to Shentel Stadium, making practices and game days more convenient for players and staff.

The big picture
The 77,000-square-foot Wilkins Athletics and Events Center already serves as the home for basketball, volleyball, indoor track and field, and wrestling, while supporting all 23 of Shenandoah’s intercollegiate sports.

Between the lines
One of the biggest changes will be for Shenandoah football. The team’s current locker room is in Aikens Athletic Center, requiring players to walk about a quarter mile to and from Shentel Stadium for practices and games. The expansion will give the program a permanent home next to the stadium.

What’s next
Shenandoah plans to pursue additional improvements as more funding is raised, including a new weight room and other upgrades to the athletics center. The university is also offering commemorative bricks, seats and lockers as part of its fundraising efforts.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE→

Rates at a 3-year high + 18.5% more inventory + sales down 8% = buyers finally have room, sellers finally have to price right.

But it splits by product type and by market: Reston and Gainesville still see 32–42% of homes going over list, while Winchester sits at 58 days and 98.3% of ask. One market, two realities.

Thinking about buying or selling in the next 6 months? Get a Game Plan →

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