Board of Architectural Review approves stained finish for south building at 10721 Main Street

The Fairfax City Board of Architectural Review on Jan. 15 unanimously approved a request to stain the south building of the Fairfax Medical Building at 10721 Main Street, saying the treatment will help visitors distinguish between two medical buildings on a sloped site.

Staff presented the application and recommended approval, saying the proposal meets zoning and design guidelines for the Architectural Control Overlay District and the BAR's approval criteria. The staff report described the south building as the structure proposed for treatment, the north building remaining unchanged, and noted prior minor approvals for canopies and entryway updates.

Kevin Day, the project representative, told the board the primary driver is wayfinding: “the patients who are coming to this building ... often have difficulty knowing which of the two red boxes to go to.” He said the slope and limited ADA access on the site make misdirected visits potentially hazardous and that staining one building is intended to improve safety and reduce confusion.

Applicant materials identify the product as Kyam Restoro, a silicate pigmented mineral stain applied semi-transparently (material sample color 9477AS). The design team said the work would include pressure washing, tuckpointing where needed, and an on-site 8-by-8-foot mock-up to confirm appearance before full application. The applicant said the manufacturer markets the product as long-lasting and that the stain penetrates rather than covers brick, but warranty details were not available at the hearing.

Board members pressed on longevity, effect on mortar joints, and how to ensure the mock-up reflects final application. The applicant said mortar repairs (tuckpointing) would be performed where needed prior to staining and that the semi-transparent method would retain the reading of mortar joints similar to a traditional whitewash.

A motion to approve the request of the HGA representative for HTA Fairfax Medical Center LLC (case AR-24-00010) passed unanimously with conditions: the modification must be in general conformance with the plans and renderings received by staff in January 2025 and the applicant must secure all required zoning approvals and permits before construction.

The BAR recorded no public comments on the item and the board noted that the stained finish would be limited to the rear (south) building, not the front façade on Main Street. The board did not attach an explicit warranty requirement but required the mock-up and standard permitting and zoning clearances before work proceeds.