EYA and Bernstein Management Corporation (BMC) are under contract to redevelop the former GEICO headquarters site in Friendship Heights, marking a major step toward transforming the long-vacant corporate campus into a new mixed-use residential community.
The 26-acre property, which housed GEICO’s 514,000SF headquarters, is set to become a walkable neighborhood with a mix of housing types and open space. The development team was selected through a competitive process that highlighted their experience delivering complex, large-scale projects across the D.C. region.
GEICO recently relocated its headquarters to downtown Bethesda, creating an opportunity to reimagine the Friendship Heights site. JM Zell Partners is representing GEICO in the transaction and will oversee development approvals, demolition, and site preparation before the property is transferred to EYA.
Plans for the first phase of redevelopment call for more than 500 residential units, including 96 condominiums, approximately 175-185 townhomes, and up to 235-250 apartments across three buildings. The design also emphasizes green space, with plans to preserve mature trees and incorporate new outdoor amenities for both residents and the surrounding community.
A second phase could bring additional residential density, including mid-rise and high-rise buildings, along with retail components, pending approval of the Friendship Heights Sector Plan.
EYA President and CEO McLean Quinn described the project as one of the most significant redevelopment opportunities in the region, noting the potential to transform the long-standing corporate campus into a neighborhood that better integrates with the surrounding community.
The site sits in a highly connected area, within walking distance of the Friendship Heights Metro station and multiple bus routes, and is bordered by Willard Avenue, Friendship Boulevard, Western Avenue, and Brookdale Neighborhood Park. Developers say the project will help drive continued reinvestment along the corridor linking Montgomery County and Washington, D.C.
Founded more than 30 years ago, EYA has developed over 50 residential communities across the region, totaling more than 10,000 homes, with a focus on urban infill and mixed-use projects. EYA shares that additional information can be found in the Washington Business Journal.
