Ever wonder about the man behind Reston? It is Robert E. Simon. We’re standing here to delve into the story of a visionary. Robert E. Simon revolutionized suburban development.
Robert E. Simon was born in New York City in 1914. He inherited a fortune. It came from the sale of Carnegie Hall. His father, Robert Sr., had purchased it. With these funds, Simon bought 6,750 acres in Fairfax County, Virginia, in 1961. He wanted to create something unique.
Simon envisioned Reston. The name came from his initials. It was to be a self-contained community. Residents could live, work, and play there. He wanted to cut down on long commutes. Families could spend more time together.
Simon’s ideas were ahead of his time. Midcentury suburbs were auto-oriented. They were bedroom communities with cookie-cutter homes. Simon wanted a mixed-use, walkable community. He welcomed renters and owners alike. Reston was also intended to be racially integrated. This was a provocative idea then. Many communities were segregated.
Chuck Veatch worked for Simon in 1964. He said Reston was an open community from the start. This was before fair housing laws. Simon was an incredible leader in a segregated area.
Simon wanted a community about people. It was not just about structures. He wanted to weave a social fabric. He created gathering places like shops, parks, and plazas. People could engage with one another.
James W. Todd met Simon. He called Reston a brilliant idea. But it was premature. Downtown D.C. was the major job center. Reston struggled to attract major employers. Metro was still a decade away. Access to Reston was a two-lane road.
By the late 1960s, sales were slow. Simon was forced out of the company. Gulf Reston, a corporate partner, took over. Eventually, Simon was proven right. Reston became successful. The U.S. Geological Survey and other employers relocated there. Fairfax County became a high-tech corridor. Reston Town Center became a thriving district.
After leaving in 1967, Simon continued in real estate. He returned to Reston in 1993. He showed no bitterness. Simon participated in planning meetings. He wanted to make Reston better.
Robert E. Simon never really retired. He formed the Reston Association. This residents’ group managed the town. He advised Reston’s leaders. He helped prepare for the arrival of Metro’s Silver Line.
Simon drew inspiration from various places. He saw a fountain at Lake Geneva. This inspired the fountain in Lake Anne. High-rise construction came from Tapiola, Finland. Plazas came from Italian hill towns.
Robert E. Simon passed away in 2015 at 101. He remained active until the end. He credited his longevity to a daily martini. Ellen Graves said Simon was a man ahead of his time. His wisdom still guides Reston today.
Robert E. Simon left an indelible mark. He showed that a community could be more. It could be inclusive and forward-thinking. Reston stands as a testament to his vision. His legacy lives on in the vibrant community. It thrives around us even today.