The Deleted Scenes - Christmas Time In the Fake City
If I didn’t tell you, you might not be able to guess that these photos are from a modern, top-down, tightly managed “town center” development: This is the Reston Town Center, a later 1980s addition to the 1960s planned community of Reston, Virginia (where I live.) Reston’s original “village” concept—housing of mixed densities adjacent to community buildings and neighborhood shopping centers—still survives, but most of Reston looks and feels pretty typically suburban. Which is not surprising, because it’s a 30-40 minute drive west from D.C., and was considered remote when it was first built in the mid-1960s. However, despite some protests that Reston is supposed to be leafy and quiet and low-intensity, or that recent development would have its founder spinning in his grave, this sort of thing was there from the very beginning. This is the first “village center” constructed, back in rural Fairfax County, beginning in 1963. With that out of the way, more on the Town Center. I’ve seen a number of these types of developments. And the Reston Town Center is one of the best, in my opinion. Rockville, Maryland has one, as does nearby North Bethesda; Leesburg, in Virginia, has something similar. Even the outer suburbs have these kinds of developments today (though often without the high-rises.) They’re an interesting combination of real downtowns and outdoor shopping malls. Some have more of that outdoor-mall or movie-set feel than others. Most are full of parking garages, and don’t exactly feel like real cities. They’re not connected to much of anything, so within a few blocks you simply reach an edge, which more often than not is a highway not hospitable to pedestrians. The commercial spaces are large, favoring chain establishments. Here, a considerable number sit empty. Some people claim the paid parking’s to blame. I’m not sure if an unwillingness to pay a couple of bucks is a cause of reduced commercial life, or an effect. But with those shortcomings acknowledged, it is very cool to see suburban places that also have the option of something like urban living. Here’s a picture from a strip mall a couple of miles away. The Reston Town Center creates a skyline out in the middle of suburbia! The Reston Town Center isn’t just stores, restaurants, and offices; it has apartments and condos, as well as very nearby townhouses. They are some of the most expensive homes in Reston. That isn’t because urban living is inherently an “unaffordable,” “elitist” luxury. It is because the market will bear those prices. Which in turn means there is demand for even more of these sorts of homes. Arguing that the most expensive real estate is elitist or unaffordable and should thus not be developed is like arguing that the candidate with the most votes should not win the election. At Christmastime, the Town Center is lovely. There’s a square with a fountain (currently undergoing a major rebuilding), there are decorations, window displays, ice skating, a huge Christmas tree. While much of the development’s footprint is taken up with large parking garages, the sidewalks are wide, and the streets are relatively narrow. Drivers generally go slowly, and it’s pleasant to walk around. (One day, those parking garages could be replaced with buildings, or perhaps get buildings capping them, depending on real estate trends and the development’s fortunes.) Here, at a little square flanked by tall residential and office buildings, is a splash park, a performance space, and, on most days, just a little park to wander and sit down. A couple more shots: The area’s newest Metro rail station is walkable from here, and will connect this all to public transit as well as some newer adjacent development. Here’s the satellite view of Reston Town Center and the immediate area: This is far from ideal land use. But what I see is a lot of opportunity. Little by little, this whole area that was once rural, and then suburban, is becoming something else. Something more. I felt like I could have been in “Silver Bells” the other day, walking along these streets. Maybe if you can pull that off, you’re on your way to building a city. Related Reading: A Little More on Rockville Pike Thank you for reading! Please consider upgrading to a paid subscription to help support this newsletter. You’ll get a weekly subscribers-only post, plus full access to the archive: over 500 posts and growing. And you’ll help ensure more material like this! You're currently a free subscriber to The Deleted Scenes. For the full experience, upgrade your subscription. |
Key phrases
Older messages
Year Three
Saturday, December 31, 2022
Ideas to develop
The Deleted Scenes Top 10 of 2022
Friday, December 30, 2022
Favorite and most-read pieces of the year
New and Old #90
Thursday, December 29, 2022
Friday roundup and commentary
Christmas Song Urbanism
Wednesday, December 28, 2022
Nostalgia for America's older ways
Can You Find My House?
Tuesday, December 27, 2022
What Do You Think You're Looking At? #90
You Might Also Like
Halfway to our goal
Thursday, April 25, 2024
help us unlock a match for poetry! Dear Friend, We're halfway to our goal! An Academy board member has pledged to match any gifts made TODAY, up to $20000. Your special gift in support of all the
How Magnets Actually Affect Your Credit Cards
Thursday, April 25, 2024
Donald Trump Trial Myths, Debunked. And while we're at it, why you shouldn't keep your hotel key card next to your phone. Not displaying correctly? View this newsletter online. TODAY'S
Your Zodiac Sign Matches This Popular Fandom
Thursday, April 25, 2024
Plus, Rihanna's embellished nipple dress, Kim Kardashian responds to Taylor's diss track, & more.
Finally, a Weight Loss Plan for 40+
Thursday, April 25, 2024
Special Offer From Our Friends At Men's Health Unlock the Secret to Getting Lean After 40! View in Browser This is a weight loss plan you can stick with Designed for guys over 40 who don't want
When You’re Laid Off But Still Have to Go to Work
Thursday, April 25, 2024
What's new today on the Cut — covering style, self, culture, and power, plus interviews, profiles, columns, and commentary from our editors. Brand Logo THURSDAY, APRIL 25 PERSONAL FINANCE When You
The best oatmeal raisin cookie recipe comes from a familiar guy
Thursday, April 25, 2024
An interview with Jerry Seinfeld about “Unfrosted”
Behind the billionaire climate tax
Thursday, April 25, 2024
One economist explains why taxing the rich and paying the poor isn't as far-fetched as you'd think. actually has a chance of becoming a reality ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
Your gift to poetry matched!
Thursday, April 25, 2024
Today only. Dear Friend, I have some exciting news: an Academy board member has pledged to match any gifts made TODAY only, up to $20000. Your special gift in support of all the Academy's programs
Preserving Process
Thursday, April 25, 2024
Sometimes someone else says it best ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
India's Sign-Wallas: On the Brush on the Subcontinent
Thursday, April 25, 2024
Meena Kadri takes us to India to appreciate the flamboyant work of the country's 'sign-wallas'. BLAG Magazine: Adventures in Sign Painting Craft, Community & Culture bl.ag online weekly