Brightview Northfax Opens In Fairfax City, Welcomes First Residents

FAIRFAX CITY, VA — A long-awaited senior living community officially opened its doors Tuesday as Brightview Northfax celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, welcoming its first residents to Fairfax City.

City leaders, business representatives, Brightview staff and dozens of guests gathered at the new community on Chain Bridge Road to celebrate the opening of Brightview Northfax, the company's 50th senior living community. The development includes 200 apartments offering independent living, assisted living and memory care.

The ceremony culminated with Gail and Chuck Mckeon, the first couple to reserve an apartment at Brightview Northfax, cutting the ceremonial ribbon.

The Mckeons signed a lease in April 2025 — more than a year before the building opened — after touring another Brightview community and committing before they had ever seen the finished property.

"We signed up a year ago in April," Chuck Mckeon said.

At the time, prospective residents relied largely on renderings and photos because construction was still underway.

"It was all pictures because the construction was going on," he said.

First Residents Move In

Tuesday wasn't just ribbon-cutting day. It also marked the Mckeons' first night in their new home.

"Tonight is our first sleepover," Gail Mckeon said with a smile.

The couple had lived in Fairfax County for 49 years and said the community's location was the deciding factor.

"It's about five miles from where we were, so all the facilities we're used to are still where they were — the doctors, the shops," Chuck Mckeon said.spous

Executive Director Juli Swanson said demand for the community has been strong even before opening day.

The community has received 75 deposits for its 200 apartments, with many reservations made before prospective residents could tour the building.

Swanson said about 25 residents planned to spend their first night at Brightview Northfax on Tuesday, with the remaining residents expected to move in over the next two months. Assisted living and memory care neighborhoods are expected to open in about six weeks after state licensing is completed.

Keeping Seniors Connected To Fairfax

Mayor Catherine Read said the project fills a need she has discussed for years by allowing longtime residents to remain in Fairfax City as they downsize.

"I have lived inside the city for 26 years, and I have talked for many, many years about needing a place for our residents to downsize so they can stay in this beautiful community," Read said.

She encouraged new residents to take advantage of city amenities, including the free CUE bus, which provides access to George Mason University, the Vienna Metro station and destinations throughout Fairfax.

In an interview following the ceremony, Read said the location gives residents opportunities that extend well beyond the building itself.

"What this brings to the city is residents who are looking for amenities," she said, pointing to transportation, lifelong learning opportunities at George Mason University, Nova Labs and city-sponsored events as benefits available to residents.

Swanson said the community's location has consistently been its biggest selling point.

"A lot of residents ... want to stay in the City of Fairfax. They don't want to move," she said. "We knew that going in that there was a large population of folks that would need this service."

Brightview Northfax includes 110 independent living apartments and 90 assisted living and memory care residences. The community also offers daily activities, dining, transportation and wellness programming designed around residents' interests.