One of Herndon’s most high-profile properties — the former NFL training facility site tucked between Dulles and Reston — is now poised for a complete transformation. According to the Washington Business Journal, Starwood Capital Group has proposed replacing the long-vacant facility with two large data centers, expanding the evolution of Herndon’s Renaissance Tech Park and strengthening Fairfax County’s position inside the global data center ecosystem.
This site sits immediately beside the future Western High School — one of the most important new school projects in Fairfax County. The redevelopment could reshape traffic flow, tax revenue, and the next decade of West Fairfax development.
Here’s the full breakdown.
A Unique Site With a Very Different Future
The former NFL practice facility has always stood out — a highly visible parcel with an unusual past use. Now, Starwood Capital Group, a global real estate investment firm, is seeking to redesign the property to match the momentum of the surrounding commercial tech district.
According to the Washington Business Journal, Starwood’s proposal repurposes the facility into two new data center buildings, fully integrating the property into the Renaissance Tech Park master plan already approved by Fairfax County.
Fairfax County planning & zoning info: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/planning-development
This is not just a redevelopment — it’s a repositioning of an entire corner of Herndon.
The First Building: Over 400,000 Square Feet of Digital Infrastructure
The Washington Business Journal reports that the first data center will surpass 400,000 square feet, putting it on par with many major facilities in Loudoun’s Data Center Alley.
What that size typically represents:
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A multi-tenant compute hub
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Large-scale fiber connectivity
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Advanced cooling & backup power systems
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Decades of commercial stability
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Millions in long-term tax revenue
Northern Virginia continues to house 70% of the world’s internet traffic routes, and facilities of this magnitude help maintain that leadership.
Why Herndon? Why Now?
As available land tightens in Loudoun County, major developers have turned to Herndon and Fairfax County for large, power-ready parcels. The former practice facility checks every box:
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Immediate access to Dulles fiber routes
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Close to Reston’s tech workforce
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Near the Silver Line and Toll Road
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Compatible zoning under the Renaissance Tech Park framework
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Lower daily traffic impact than warehouse or retail use
Starwood's proposal aligns neatly with county planning goals for adjacent tech/campus uses.
A Major Neighbor: The New Western High School
Just south of the site is the planned Western High School, one of Fairfax County’s largest upcoming school projects.
Official project page:
While the proximity of data centers to schools may surprise some, in Northern Virginia it’s increasingly common:
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Data centers generate minimal daily traffic
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Buildings are fully enclosed and sound-buffered
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They produce significant tax revenue that strengthens the county budget
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They contain no residential activity, meaning no conflict with school schedules
Fairfax County will still evaluate screening, noise mitigation, and compatibility as the proposal progresses.
Economic & Community Impact for Herndon
If approved, the project would:
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Eliminate an inactive, obsolete sports facility
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Deliver a long-term revenue engine for Fairfax County
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Expand Herndon’s rapidly growing tech district
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Increase demand for nearby housing and commercial services
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Support county funding for schools, parks, and public safety
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Add infrastructure upgrades around Dulles and West Fairfax
According to the Washington Business Journal, this filing is the most significant redevelopment step for the site in years — and signals Starwood’s commitment to scaling Northern Virginia digital infrastructure.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What exactly is being proposed for the old NFL training facility?
Starwood Capital Group is proposing two new data center buildings, replacing the former training facility and expanding the Renaissance Tech Park footprint, according to the Washington Business Journal.
How large will the data center facilities be?
The first building will exceed 400,000 square feet, according to the Washington Business Journal. Final dimensions for the second building have not yet been publicly detailed.
What’s the impact of building next to Western High School?
Data centers are low-traffic, quiet, screened facilities that generate significant tax revenue without affecting school operations. Fairfax County will still evaluate screening, noise, and site compatibility as part of its approval review.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What exactly is being proposed for the old NFL training facility?
Starwood Capital Group is proposing two new data center buildings, replacing the former training facility and expanding the Renaissance Tech Park footprint, according to the Washington Business Journal.
How large will the data center facilities be?
The first building will exceed 400,000 square feet, according to the Washington Business Journal. Final dimensions for the second building have not yet been publicly detailed.
What’s the impact of building next to Western High School?
Data centers are low-traffic, quiet, screened facilities that generate significant tax revenue without affecting school operations. Fairfax County will still evaluate screening, noise, and site compatibility as part of its approval review.
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