Verity Announces Full Pre-Lease of Retail/Mixed-Use Commercial Project in South Riding, VA Ahead of Q2 2026 Delivery

Verity Commercial announced that its newest retail/mixed‑use commercial development 43341 Defender Drive in South Riding, VA, has been fully pre‑leased, marking a significant milestone for the rapidly growing Route 50 corridor. The project, which offers 11,655 square feet of space, achieved full occupancy prior to construction completion.

 

Mara Conners, Verity Commercial Real Estate Professional, led the leasing effort, securing a diverse mix of tenants that will bring a strong combination of multi-tenant retail and food service tenants. Their long‑standing involvement, spanning concept, pre‑development, and active marketing through construction, culminated in the building being fully pre‑leased ahead of its anticipated second quarter 2026 delivery.

 

A Strong Tenant Lineup Featuring National and Local Brands

The fully committed tenant roster brings together an impressive mix of well‑known national and regional retailers alongside popular local operators. Tenants now secured for the building include Cold Stone Creamery, Smoothie King, Bayani Grill, Apna Pizza, and Haraz Coffee, a specialty coffee brand with a strong regional following.

 

“The response from tenants was immediate and enthusiastic,” said Mara Conners, Sales and Leasing Professional at Verity Commercial. “Tenants recognized the rare combination of strong demographics, exceptional visibility, and limited new supply in this corridor. We’re thrilled to welcome a dynamic mix of national and local businesses who will serve the South Riding community for years to come.”

 

The early lease up reflects demand in one of Northern Virginia’s fast-growing submarkets. The South Riding submarket continues to demonstrate powerful fundamentals that attract high quality tenants.

 

“Achieving full pre-lease prior to delivery is a testament to the strength of the South Riding market and the quality of this development,” added Ken Traenkle, Co‑Founder of Verity Commercial. “The Route 50 corridor continues to attract high performing businesses, and this project fills a critical need for modern, flexible commercial space.”

 

Landlord Perspective:

“Mara was responsive at every step. Her consistent attention to detail and follow up over the marketing and lease execution process made a clear difference,” said Chandra Gujjula. “We are very pleased with the strong, well qualified tenant mix that Mara secured, and with how smoothly the entire process was managed.”

 

Verity recognizes Mara’s exceptional commitment for seeing this through from vision to 100% pre‑lease.

 

ABOUT MARA CONNERS  

Mara Conners is a Sales and Leasing Professional at Verity Commercial specializing in tenant and landlord representation. She brings an array of local contacts through her long tenure in the area and involvement in professional industry and community organizations. She has successfully provided representation for Northern Virginia business owners in sales and leasing of office, medical, warehouse, and retail deals.

 

ABOUT VERITY

Founded in 2010, Verity Commercial is a national multidisciplinary firm that approaches the commercial real estate industry in three ways: development and construction services, brokerage and real estate investments. Our breadth of expertise gives clients more options and the perspective to make better decisions. Our fast-growing construction management practice focuses on three core industries: data center/ mission critical, life science and mixed-use projects. Our brokerage practice is geared toward clients that require strategic thinking along with transactional results. And our investment practice combines our market knowledge, strategic thinking and technical expertise to help real estate investors build a successful portfolio.

 

Verity is a 5-time Inc. 5000 firm, one of the fastest growing firms in Virginia and in the DC Metro area, and Great Place to Work-Certified™. Verity is recognized as Northern Virginia Technology Council (NVTC) Data Center Vendor Champion, Reston Cornerstones Philanthropist of the Year Finalist, Greater Reston Business of the Year, and Dulles COVID Business Champion Nominee.

 

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