Mars Headquarters Expansion Plan In McLean Recommended For Approval

MCLEAN, VA — The Fairfax County Planning Commission voted unanimously on Oct. 11 to recommend approval of Mars Inc.'s application to expand its headquarters in McLean.

Mars’ plan includes the company’s current headquarters building at 6885 Elm Street and an adjacent property at 6867 Elm Street, purchased in 2020.

The candy company’s global headquarters in McLean currently has about 150 employees. Occupancy peaks at about 190 people when the company has board meetings, said attorney Evan Pritchard, who represented Mars at the Oct. 11 public hearing.

Mars has occupied its McLean headquarters since 1984.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors is scheduled to vote after a public hearing on Oct. 24 on Mars' application to expand its headquarters in McLean.

Mars’ proposal calls for the redevelopment and expansion of the office building at 6885 Elm Street, at the corner of Moyer Place. To accommodate the expanded building, the office building at 6867 Elm Street would be torn down.

The total square footage of the expanded office building will be up to 126,974 square feet, with a maximum height of three stories. The current Mars headquarters building is a two-story, 52,970-square-foot building.

Parking will be located in an underground garage, with at least 205 spaces provided. The site “historically has been over-parked,” Pritchard said at the hearing.

In its application, Mars proposed an 1,850-square-foot public park at the southern corner of the site along Old Dominion Drive. The site will feature landscaping, seating areas and a pergola.

The park space will align with planned public park improvements at the neighboring proposed mixed-use Astoria project, including seating areas, retail, and a mid-block connection that links Old Dominion Drive and Elm Street. The rear of the property will include private amenity space for the employees of the building and will include several walking trails.

Dranesville District Commissioner John Ulfelder said at the Oct. 11 hearing that he appreciates Mars deciding to keep its headquarters in McLean. During construction of the expanded headquarters, though, Mars is expected to set up a temporary headquarters in the Tysons area, according to the Washington Business Journal.

RELATED: These Virginia Billionaires Are Among Richest In U.S.: Forbes