The United Arab Emirates’ influence in the United States stretches to the residential development sector.
The Middle East nation is planning a compound of diplomatic residences overlooking the Potomac River in McLean, Virginia, the Washington Business Journal reported. The compound will include three living spaces, as well as an 11,500-square-foot gym.
What makes the development in the D.C. suburb even more intriguing is how quietly the UAE has been moving on this.
The nation acquired the 18 acres at 1019, 1049 and 1079 Crest Land nearly three years ago for a stunning $55 million in a single, off-market deal that was never recorded with the local multiple listing service. The seller was a trust linked to Richard Adams Jr., founder of UUnet Technologies.
To put that number in context, Dan and Tanya Snyder’s $48 million acquisition of River View in 2021 represents the largest single estate sale in Greater Washington history.
The plans came to light when Land Development Consultants’ John Manganello filed paperwork with the county looking to ensure the gym and a paddle tennis court would be permitted on the site. Those two structures would flank a 24,000-square-foot home with between 13 and 17 residences.
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The residence at 1019 Crest would be the largest, while the 1079 Crest residence would be the smallest; the 24,000-square-foot 1049 Crest would be between the two poles. The compound would have a cart path and an arrival court.
No building permits have been filed for any of the structures and none exist on the land as-is, so the timeline of building the compound remains to be seen. The Middle East nation will use the compound to host family members and family friends multiple times a week.
The UAE’s diplomatic residence isn’t far from where the compound is proposed. The nation spent $11 million to buy 1005 Crest Lane in 2006.