In this week’s update:

🍸 Something big is coming to downtown Leesburg this August. After more than six decades, a new luxury destination will open its doors, offering rooftop views, world-class dining, and a members-only experience unlike anything the town has seen.

🏛️ Something big is coming to the White House. A $200M project, a major Virginia builder, and a space unlike anything in its history.

🐬 Something’s been making waves in the Potomac… and it’s not boats. For years, researchers have quietly tracked an unexpected group of visitors, and the numbers might surprise you.

Driving the news: Downtown Leesburg’s first new hotel in 64 years , Hotel Burg, officially opened its doors on Aug. 1, 2025.

The 39-room boutique property blends Loudoun County heritage with upscale amenities, offering locals and visitors a fresh luxury option in Virginia’s wine and hunt country.

Details

• Location: 208 South King Street, in Leesburg’s Old & Historic District.

• Developer: Kevin Ash of Ellisdale Construction, with $2B in past projects.

• Dining: Michelin-starred Chef Vincent Badiee leads The Huntōn, a 70-seat farm-to-table restaurant with open-fire cooking, plus a 42-seat patio.

• Bars: The Diana Lounge (two-story ceilings, tapas) and a guests-only rooftop bar with a 10-foot fire pit and panoramic views.

• Membership: The Chase private club offers coworking by day, a lounge by night, access to the rooftop bar, wine lockers, and a fitness center with infrared sauna.

• Events: The Manor 1858, a 22-acre venue with a restored barn, hosts weddings and retreats for up to 150 guests.

• Sustainability: Nearly $4M in C-PACE funding for green roofing, advanced HVAC, and water conservation.

The big picture: Tourism in Loudoun County generated $4.5B in spending last year, with the wine industry drawing over 1M visitors.

Positioned just 40 miles from DC, Hotel Burg is primed to serve both leisure travelers and weekend “staycation” guests.

Between the lines: The hotel’s first weekend saw sold-out rooms, packed dining spaces, and locals lining up for tours of The Chase.

Membership interest is high, with many applications coming from area professionals.

What’s next: Hotel Burg will host its first public rooftop wine tasting later this month, featuring Loudoun County vineyards and live acoustic music.

READ MORE→

Driving the news: McLean-based Clark Construction has been selected to build a $200 million, 90,000-square-foot ballroom for the White House, replacing the East Wing.

The project, co-funded by President Donald Trump and private donors, is set to start in September 2025 and wrap up before his term ends in January 2029.

Details:

• Design: Washington, D.C.-based McCrery Architects

• Engineering: Dallas-based AECOM

• Capacity: 650 seated guests, up from the East Room’s 200

• Architecture: Nearly identical to the White House but physically separated from the main building

Clark’s résumé includes Amazon’s HQ2 in Arlington, George Mason University’s Mason Square tech hub, and the National Museum of African American History and Culture. The firm is also managing the $800 million renovation of D.C.’s Capital One Arena.

Why it matters: The ballroom will give D.C. a new high-profile venue capable of hosting larger state dinners, cultural events, and ceremonies—potentially boosting the local economy through tourism, catering, and hospitality contracts.

Clark’s involvement keeps much of the economic impact local, supporting jobs in Virginia and the capital region.

The big picture: The White House, at roughly 55,000 square feet, will see its footprint nearly double with this addition.

It’s the largest expansion of the presidential complex in modern history and a rare example of a president personally helping fund such a project.

What’s next: Construction prep begins next fall, with a likely spike in local contracting and trade work. Once complete, the ballroom could rival the Kennedy Center for high-profile events.

READ MORE→

In this video, we bust the biggest myths people still believe about living in Northern Virginia, and reveal the truth that most outsiders and locals miss. From the so-called “government suburb” label to false assumptions about culture, traffic, and cost, we're breaking down what’s real and what’s completely overblown.

💬 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

Driving the news: Researchers with Georgetown University’s Potomac-Chesapeake Dolphin Project say at least 500–600 Tamanend’s bottlenose dolphins have been frequenting the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay over the past decade — with some even giving birth in these waters.

Details:

• The team, led by PhD candidate Verena Conkin, spends summers tracking, photographing, and cataloging dolphins.

• They use boat-based observations, drones, and photo IDs of dorsal fins to monitor populations.

• On a recent trip, the researchers spotted more than 130 dolphins in a single day.

• Data is shared with the Mid-Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin Catalog, a regional research resource.

Why it matters: For the D.C. region, the presence of dolphins is a sign that local water quality has improved.

Decades of cleanup efforts in the Potomac and Chesapeake have likely helped create a healthier habitat, boosting not just dolphin numbers, but overall biodiversity in the area.

Between the lines: Spotting male dolphins is rare, their reproductive organs are hidden, so every confirmed male sighting adds valuable data on the gender balance of the local population.

What’s next: The team will return next summer to continue data collection, with new assistants bringing fresh research questions.

Public sightings can also be reported via the Chesapeake DolphinWatch app.

The bottom line: If you’re out on the Potomac or Chesapeake this summer, keep your eyes open — you may be sharing the water with hundreds of dolphins that now call the region home.

READ MORE→

🔹 Friday - Otakon

Celebrate Asian pop culture with three days of anime, manga, cosplay, gaming, music, shopping, and more. Fans from around the world will gather for one of DC’s biggest conventions.
📍 Location: Walter E. Washington Convention Center
📅 Date & Time: August 8–10
🎟️ Tickets: Prices vary
🌐 Website: https://www.otakon.com

🔹 Saturday - BBQ & Bluegrass

Dig into smoky BBQ, tap your feet to live bluegrass, and browse local craft vendors at Breaux Vineyards’ 13th annual celebration of American food and music.
📍 Location: Breaux Vineyards, Purcellville
📅 Date & Time: August 9, 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
🎟️ Tickets: Free
🌐 Website: https://www.breauxvineyards.com/events/bbq-bluegrass-3

🔹 Sunday - Shipgarten Showdown

Kick up your boots for a night of line dancing, swing, and two-stepping, plus great music, food, and drinks at Shipgarten. No experience needed—just bring your dancing spirit.
📍 Location: Shipgarten, McLean
📅 Date & Time: August 10, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
🎟️ Tickets: Free
🌐 Website: https://shipgarten.com/event/shipgarten-showdown-3

MORE THINGS TO DO→

Washington, DC’s housing market is holding steady—but don’t get too comfy. Median sale prices slipped 1.1% to around $703K, and homes linger about 56 days—14 days longer than last year. Buyers still make roughly two offers per listing, with a 98.2% sale-to-list ratio and just 20% selling above list.

For Buyers: More time to negotiate and less competition mean better leverage—if you’re ready to move when the right home pops up.

For Sellers: Pricing strategically is key. With fewer bidding wars, standout marketing and presentation will help you attract motivated buyers fast.

• Amtrak set to launch new Acela trains this month

• Garfield Investments secures defense tech tenant at Navy Yard building

• Capital City closes on multifamily infill development lot in Fairfax's WillowWood Plaza office park

• Streets Market to open at The Wharf