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Council approves 107-room Element hotel near airport after design debate
Summary
The council granted a specific-use permit for a five-story, 107-room Element hotel at 4563 Waxwing Drive, despite council concern about the west elevation's appearance; developers said the project will generate hotel-tax revenue and increase hospitality capacity in South Arlington.
The Arlington City Council voted Sept. 16 to grant a specific-use permit for a five-story Element hotel on roughly 2.33 acres at 4563 Waxwing Drive, near the airport. The project calls for 107 rooms, about 60% of them suites, a two-story glass lobby, meeting space and outdoor pool and patio amenities.
Planning staff presented the applicant's updated elevations and landscape changes. Developer representatives Gerald Alley (Conrail) and Mike Daugherty (DPG Partners) described design revisions including larger windows on the east elevation, added masonry and layered landscape buffers along East Barton Road intended to meet Planning & Zoning stipulations.
Councilmember Rebecca Boxall questioned the western façade that will be visible from the airport approach, calling it "very stark and bland" and urging additional articulation at the top of the elevation. "It just reads as very utilitarian," she said. Daugherty and Alley said the design includes additional windows, metal articulation and varied materials to break up the elevation and that the hotel will function as an upscale, eco-conscious (not LEED-certified) Element brand property. Developer statements also estimated the project would generate roughly $600,000 in hotel and tourism tax revenue for the city.
The Arlington Convention & Visitors Bureau's president and CEO, Brent DeRod, spoke in favor of the project and said additional upscale rooms would benefit South Arlington and local events. After questions and discussion, Councilmember Hunter moved and Councilmember Galante seconded the motion to approve the specific-use permit; the council voted to pass the item.
Why it matters: The approval increases Arlington's hospitality inventory in South Arlington near the airport and is expected to generate hotel-tax revenue; council discussion focused on design quality and long-term maintenance of exterior materials visible from public approaches.
Procedural note: Developers will proceed with final design and permitting steps. Staff and council members discussed landscaping and façade articulation as elements the developer said it would continue to refine in final plans.
