Viva White Oak: A Revitalization of Housing and Commerce to the Area

The 280-acre site next to the FDA and the White Oak Medical Center has been in the works for years. Finally last week the Montgomery County Council approved the Viva White Oak Development District TIF (Tax Increment Financing) resolution, clearing the way for a $2.8 billion transformation that will bring new life, jobs, and homes to the community.

The Big News: Costco is Official

The update everyone is talking about is the arrival of Costco. MCB Real Estate recently signed a 162,000-square-foot lease to bring the retailer to White Oak as the project’s first major anchor.

But Costco is just the beginning. The developers are planning for 3 million square feet of retail and office space, aiming to turn this area into a premier destination. As MCB principal Drew Gorman puts it, Costco is a "market-mover" that proves the value of this location to other high-end shops and restaurants.

Leasing Options for Local Businesses

While the big-box news is exciting, it’s natural to wonder if local businesses will get squeezed out. The good news? It’s literally written into the contract. Under the legally binding Sketch Plan (No. 320240080) approved by the Planning Board, the developer agreed to specific "Small Business Opportunities" requirements. To get the green light to build at this scale, MCB committed to reserving space specifically for independent, non-franchise businesses. This means the 1-acre "Town Square" won't just be a wall of national chains; it’s designed to have "right-sized" spaces for local entrepreneurs to set up shop right in the heart of the community. That means if you run a business and want to have a presence in this development, MoCo has your back.

A Hub for Innovation and 9,000 Jobs

Viva White Oak isn’t just a shopping center—it’s an investment in the future of our workforce. The goal is to turn White Oak into a leading hub for biohealth and life sciences. By adding millions of square feet of lab space and medical offices next to the FDA, the project is expected to create 9,000 permanent jobs. This is a huge win for East County, attracting top talent and new opportunities to our side of the county.

Quality Housing Near Work

To support all those new jobs, the plan includes up to 5,000 new residences. Whether it’s apartments or for-sale homes, the focus is on creating a vibrant, walkable community. The idea is simple: if people can live near where they work, they spend less time sitting in traffic on US-29 and more time enjoying the local parks and trails that are also part of the plan.

A Long-Overdue Transformation

Viva White Oak represents one of the biggest opportunities in Montgomery County’s recent history. Construction is expected to happen in 2 phases through 2043. The first phase is already underway.

By mixing world-class retail, high-tech offices, and quality housing, this project is set to breathe new life into our community.

While Viva White Oak is a few years away from being open, it doesn’t hurt to explore possibilities of leasing in the future. If you’d like to discuss further, let’s talk to see what that might look like. Contact me

Source:

Maryland Economic Development Corporation

Viva White Oak

MCB Announces New Vision for VIVA White Oak [Press Release]