HISTORY OF MCLEAN, VIRGINIA

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McLean, Virginia, began as a farming community in 1719 and remained largely rural until the early 20th century when transportation advancements spurred its growth. The construction of Chain Bridge in 1797 (shown in the existing plan of McLean above) improved access to Washington, D.C., and in 1906, the Great Falls & Old Dominion Railroad established a trolley stop at Chain Bridge Road, which soon became known as McLean in honor of Washington Post publisher John R. McLean. The trolley facilitated commerce and suburban expansion, leading to the opening of Franklin Sherman School in 1914 and the formation of the McLean Citizens Association in 1915. As automobiles replaced trolleys, the line was abandoned in 1934, and McLean continued evolving into a suburban community. Post-World War II growth, particularly with the establishment of the CIA headquarters in nearby Langley in 1961, solidified McLean as a key residential and economic center in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.

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A VIBRANT VISION: Heart & Soul

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Central McLean Reimagined is a proposed master plan from The Vision Works Design Lab at STUDIO FINDLEY DESIGN.  The design breathes new life into the heart of McLean. It envisions a vibrant hub of retail, commercial, cultural, social, and community gathering spaces, creating a true center—heart and soul—for the community.

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Just as Italian towns have their piazzas, the English have their squares and parks, the French have their places (think Place de la Concorde in Paris), and Arab communities have their midan or saha (both meaning “square” or “plaza”), many American towns have long thrived around central gathering places like New England’s Village Greens and the town squares found across America. These spaces foster a sense of community. However, since its founding at the intersection of Chain Bridge Road and the Great Falls and Old Dominion Railroad, McLean has lacked such a place by any name.

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Central McLean Reimagined fulfills the community’s aspirations outlined in the 1997 document, “McLean, A Vision for the Future, NOW!” This 77-page community-wide initiative brought together residents, community leaders, the Fairfax County Department of Housing and Community Development, and PlaceMakers Design Group to articulate collective aspirations for the central business district and unique community and cultural gathering spaces. This long-held vision by many McLean residents has largely remained unfulfilled—until now.

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Check back for more information as this exciting reimagination develops in 2025.