NVAR Fairfax has finally moved to a new home! Our state-of-the-art, LEED-designed building will be the new central location to serve you at 8407 Pennell Street, right near our former location.

This new building was designed with an eye toward your convenience. From the large classrooms, student lounge area, laptop stations and underground parking leading directly to the first-floor member service area, all were designed with the members in mind. 

Our building has been “in the works” for at least seven years. This project represents the culmination of efforts from many volunteer leaders, past NVAR chairmen, several boards of directors and NVAR staff. Countless meetings took place with outside consultants, architects, construction companies and Fairfax County agencies.

Many people are worth mentioning, but one rises above all others:  former 2001 NVAR Chairman Jack O’Donohue. Jack was involved in different capacities right from the beginning and as head of the New Building Task Force. This task force included former chairmen Luis Lama, Jane Quill, Trish Szego, Margaret Ireland and Susan MeKenney, along with NVAR CEO Christine Todd, COO Maggie Mueller-Tyler and CFO Jim Foster.

Jack and the leadership team managed the project with great vision, leadership, sound management and fiscally conservative decisions that have afforded us a new building without the burden of debt. Yes, we have a home with no mortgage!  Kudos to Jack and all!

Despite our excitement over the building’s completion, our September ribbon-cutting ceremony will be bittersweet. Jack O’Donohue passed away on June 6, one week short of the building’s completion. [See Jack’s obituary on p. 10 of the July/August 2010 Update magazine.] Pursuing the NVAR mission through our use of this new facility will honor his memory each day.

I hope each of you take full advantage of this outstanding new home. Visit nvar.com for a complete listing of events and classes available to you in your Pennell Street headquarters. Welcome Home! And please attend our ribbon cutting on Sept. 23.