Project Background

Fairfax County is exploring a public-private partnership to continue investment in the Workhouse Arts Campus in Lorton. Over the past three years, the campus has seen significant investment and increased visitation, building on its growth as a regional arts and community destination. Bunnyman Brewery has helped activate the front of campus. The Workhouse Arts Foundation (WAF), an integral partner and steward of the campus, is expanding its arts programming. The County has also made significant infrastructure investments, including the rehabilitation of W-7A as a premier glassblowing studio.

Project Description

The County is now seeking a development partner to help advance the next phase of campus investment, with a primary focus on rehabilitating and activating the historic Quad buildings, including W-1, W-12, W-17, and W-18. A range of development approaches and complementary uses may be considered, provided they contribute to the campus vision.

A request for proposal will be released in the Spring 2027 by Fairfax County. The RFP will adhere to the Public-Private Educational Facilities and Infrastructure Act guidelines. 

Project Location

The Workhouse Arts Campus is located at 9518 Workhouse Way in Lorton, Virginia in the Mount Vernon Magisterial District.

Campus Map

Workhouse by The Numbers

Visitation

• Visitation to the campus has more than doubled in two years, growing from 90,000 in 2023 to over 215,000 in 2025, a 138% increase that reflects the campus's rapid rise as a regional destination.
• Visitors stay an average of 103 minutes on campus, a strong indicator of deep engagement with the programming, galleries, and grounds.
• Evenings and weekends are the busiest times, Saturday is by far the most popular day, with over 93,000 visits in 2025, signaling a strong opportunity for expanded evening and weekend programming as well as food and beverage offerings on campus.
• Visitors span all generations from youth under 18 (22%) to working-age adults (49%) to older adults 55 and up (30%), making Workhouse a true multigenerational community gathering place.

Timeline

• Fall 2026:
  • Outreach will be performed with the development community starting in November to generate interest and obtain feedback on future opportunities.
  • A community meeting will be held in December (see “Presentations to Community” section below for more details).
• Spring 2027:
  • Advertise the RFP 

Presentations to the Community

December 7, 2026 (6:30 to 8:00 pm): Fairfax County will host a community meeting to share the recent investments that are shaping the Workhouse campus along with updates from the Workhouse Arts Foundation and information about the upcoming Request for Proposals.  Details about the community event will be shared in November.  To be added to the notification list, please email Franklin Roberts, Project Manager.

Other Resources

• The Campus Master Plan is a guiding document for advancing development opportunities that support the campus’s arts mission, historic character, existing tenants, and long-term financial sustainability.
• The Memorandum of Agreement between the Federal Government and Fairfax County (and others) guides how the property that comprises the Workhouse campus can be used and repurposed.
• Current Capital Improvement Projects at the Workhouse:
  • Workhouse Campus Building 7A – Glassblowing Studio development
  • Workhouse Campus Site Redevelopment Phase 1:  Protection of W-1, W-12, W-17, W-18, and WB-01
• Bunnyman Brewery at the Workhouse Campus – News Article
• Workhouse Arts Center (WAC) is the County’s non-profit arts partner at the campus. The WAC manages arts programming, events and other activities.
• Adaptive Reuse Case Study: Laurel Hill Adaptive Reuse Area PPEA

Contact

For more information, please email Franklin Roberts, Project Manager or call 703-324-6888.