Institute For Defense Analyses Breaks Ground In Potomac Yard

ALEXANDRIA, VA — The Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA), a nonprofit corporation running three federally-funded research and development centers, broke ground on its new headquarters in Potomac Yard on Tuesday, Aug. 13. Alexandria officials, construction and real estate partners, community leaders and other guests were on hand for the groundbreaking ceremony.

IDA provides analysis on national security issues and related national challenges, especially those requiring scientific, technical and analytic expertise. Currently based near Alexandria's Mark Center, the headquarters will move to 730 East Glebe Road. The location is a little over a block from the future Potomac Yard Metro station, as well as near the future Virginia Tech Innovation Campus.

"This is the next step in a long journey in support of several agencies that we assist in the
United States federal government," said Dr. David S.C. Chu, president of IDA.

The new headquarters is the latest step in a nearly four-decade partnership between IDA and the city. IDA and economic development officials worked to find a location that could accommodate the company's growths over decades, said Councilmember Del Pepper in remarks at the groundbreaking.

The new 370,000-square-foot headquarters will have a designated conference center, other conference room space, on-site café, health and fitness center, and improved collaboration space and design to meet evolving security requirements. Construction could be completed by early 2022.