Exactly, I see this as the same situation as shopping centers and big box retailers. The cost of renovation etc, is not low enough compared to the cost of building a new building in a better location for the current times.
On top of that, the DC metro area is becoming very public transit oriented. Most employers consider good access via public transit an important feature when looking for office space.
Being in an outside suburb based upon the current design of the metro transit system means that someone from northern VA will have to travel all the way into DC then transfer back out the Maryland which makes for a significantly longer commute as opposed to an office more centrally located along the metro lines.
Exactly, DC is quickly becoming a public transit city.
In this case the building was more than a mile from the closest metro station. Doesn't sound like a lot, but try walking it every day in DC summer heat. Not fun.
> On top of that, the DC metro area is becoming very public transit oriented. Most employers consider good access via public transit an important feature when looking for office space.
While at the same time the Metro is going to hell.
I disagree. With the new funds coming in, improvements are being done on the metro constantly, they seem to be rebuilding tracks every weekend. On top of that, the new 7000 series train cars are a BIG step up from the old ones. I had a chance to ride in one the other day, and it addressed many of he problems of the older cars. Once the roll out of the 7000-series cars is complete and they take the old cars offline, there should be a big reduction in the amount of delays (which are mostly due to cars having issues).
WMATA is improving in some spots but there are still A LOT of problems with the metro as it stands. There are regularly major delays, they still haven't fixed the automated control since the fatal accident in 2009, there have been more reports of smoke in the tunnels since the fatal incident this year, and they're having to deal with a a bunch of financial irregularities.
I hope things improve but as of right now it doesn't look like they've turned the corner.
Got kicked off two trains yesterday for doors that would not close and just bout missed my MARC train. I rather walk the 2 miles to Union Station than ride the METRO.
On top of that, the DC metro area is becoming very public transit oriented. Most employers consider good access via public transit an important feature when looking for office space.
Being in an outside suburb based upon the current design of the metro transit system means that someone from northern VA will have to travel all the way into DC then transfer back out the Maryland which makes for a significantly longer commute as opposed to an office more centrally located along the metro lines.