New Towns: 18 Miles from the Capital

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Almost 14% of the land has been reserved for light-industry plants and government-agency buildings. To attract small companies, Simon is constructing a 132,000-sq.-ft. office building that will rent out space, feature a common cafeteria, technical library and possibly a communal computer. The industrial park will restore to most residents the old-fashioned pleasure of being able to walk to work.

The Prognosis. So far, Reston's prognosis is good. Three companies, Motorola, Singer and Air Surveys, have already moved into the industrial park, and another dozen or so are negotiating for space. The 14-story apartment building, which has not even been topped off, already has a waiting list for occupancy, and 78 of the 270 town houses and detached homes nearing completion have been sold. Says Planner-Architect Victor Gruen, who has designed eight New Towns himself: "Reston is the most courageous effort toward the building of a New Town yet undertaken. It is my fervent hope, and I am sure all progressive architects and planners share this hope, that the New Town of Reston will succeed. If so, this would mark a great breakthrough in community planning in our country."