In 1935, students carried their books, pencils and bags into the new Fairfax High School on Lee Highway, the part of the road now known as Fairfax Boulevard. Decades later, George Mason University transformed the brick building into its North Campus. In 1983, it became Paul VI Catholic High School.

When the now-St. Paul VI Catholic High School moves to a 68-acre campus in Loudoun County in fall 2020, the historic part of the building will find yet another use, as the centerpiece of a new mixed-use development.

“We understand the significance this land has long had for the community, and we know we’re privileged to be the ones to bring out its next iteration of vibrance and importance,” said Enrico Cecchi, managing director of The IDI Group Companies, which is redeveloping the property.

The Fairfax City Council approved the developer’s request for a zoning map amendment by a 3-2 vote in September, completing a three-year process and allowing the project to move forward. The still-unnamed project will include seven single-family homes, 115 townhomes, 144 condos and 44,000 square feet of commercial and community space.

Residential offerings will vary in size. Four condo buildings ranging in size from one to three bedrooms will be built. The townhomes will be between three and four stories high.

IDI said that two 10,000 square foot retail buildings will be built perpendicular to the former school space, creating a horseshoe-like formation around green space. The new use will preserve the façade of the historic school building.