George Mason University Arlington's new innovation center, Fuse at Mason Square, is officially open.
However, students will have to wait a while before they can use it.
The university held a commercial opening today (Friday) for the nine-story building, which includes specialist laboratories for robotics, virtual reality and data visualization, as well as office space, retail, co-working areas and classrooms.
“This is a place where learning and discovery meet, where scientists, students, researchers, policymakers, businesses and entrepreneurs come together and work together to accelerate the pace of change and economic growth in this region,” said GMU- President Gregory Washington to the participants.
Ground broke on the 345,000-square-foot building at 3351 Fairfax Drive in January 2022, replacing the old Kann's Department Store, which was demolished in March 2021. Last fall, the university celebrated the building’s “topping-out ceremony” with tours of the facility.
Despite the grand opening, construction work is still underway. According to a press release, full expansion is expected by June 1, 2025. Approximately 60% of the building is used for university programs, with the remainder leased to retail and private offices.
A university spokesperson said 75% of the available space is leased to commercial tenants, but classrooms and laboratories are still under construction. The university declined to name the tenants who signed the contracts, citing confidentiality agreements.
The roughly $254 million building will house GMU's Institute for Digital Innovation and its new School of Computing, which offers courses in artificial intelligence, data analytics and cybersecurity.
The project supports Virginia's Tech Talent Investment Program, a 20-year initiative aimed at producing 25,000 additional tech graduates. GMU is committed to graduating 2,277 bachelor's and 5,328 master's graduates through the program.
“Arlington, you better get ready,” Washington said. “They are not prepared for the results that will come from this facility and this location.”
Several thousand students are expected to use the building in the fall.
There are already several schools on the Virginia Square GMU campus, including those focused on politics, law, conflict resolution and economics. One of the university's most notable students is U.S. Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.), who, at 73, is pursuing a master's degree in machine learning to deepen his understanding of artificial intelligence and its policy implications.
Beyer emphasized the Fuse Building's potential to inspire innovation, attract business and create economic opportunity, particularly in Northern Virginia and Arlington County.
“But what I think is so cool is the whole idea of Fuse – bringing together different disciplines and ideas and bringing them together [the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency] … and Boeing and all the other amazing resources we have here,” he told attendees.
Ryan Touhill, director of Arlington Economic Development, said the Fuse's opening comes at an important time, as Arlington County adopted a new economic development strategy this year that emphasizes the importance of technology.
“This innovation campus will inspire entrepreneurs, attract businesses and create economic opportunities for everyone who calls Northern Virginia home,” he said.
