NSF
NSF
It's a bit of musical chairs and alphabet soup, but Alexandria came out on top after the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) announced last week that the National Science Foundation (NSF) will remain in Alexandria, moving to 401 Dulany St. in the Carlyle neighborhood, onto the same campus as the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
The move comes on the heels of the USPTO downsizing, laying off 126 employees and HUD taking over, in stages, NSF's old headquarters at 2415 Eisenhower Ave. in Alexandria.
Image courtesy of the USPTO
The National Science Foundation will be located in the Randolph Building, top left.
In June 2025, GSA announced that the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) would move into the existing NSF headquarters building at 2415 Eisenhower Avenue, bringing 2,700 jobs and the first cabinet-level federal agency to Alexandria.
While Alexandria was excited to welcome HUD, the Mayor and City Council and the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership (AEDP) were clear that HUD’s relocation should not come at the expense of the NSF. This new announcement and move provide a clear path forward for both agencies by securing a new home for the dedicated NSF workforce. Their vital mission to further science will continue, alongside like-minded federal and private-sector employees in the Carlyle district in Alexandria.
“We are thrilled to say that NSF will stay in the City of Alexandria and that it will continue its role growing the innovation hub in Carlyle, collaborating directly with USPTO,” said Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins.
In 2017, the City celebrated the relocation of NSF and its workforce to Alexandria. Similarly, the City welcomes the latest announcement, as it will keep approximately 1,600 NSF headquarters jobs, made up of a mix of federal employees as well as scientists from research institutions working at NSF on a temporary basis.
“Alexandria’s economy is supported by a number of anchors we have recruited to the City — employers who themselves contribute to our economy, but importantly also catalyze spin-off activity like hotel stays, restaurant visits, and contractor businesses who locate nearby,” said AEDP President and CEO Stephanie Landrum. “For that reason, the City aggressively pursued the NSF headquarters in 2017 and was vigilant in efforts to retain them in 2025.”
The City will work with GSA and the property owner over the coming months to ensure a smooth transition for the NSF workforce into their new headquarters.
Elizabeth Townhouse
GSA responds to move
“This relocation reflects President Trump’s commitment to delivering results for the American people through smart government and responsible stewardship of taxpayer resources,” said Acting Administrator Mike Rigas. “GSA reached a major milestone in consolidating our federal real estate portfolio to deliver an efficient workplace that enables both the NSF and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to better achieve their missions.”
“Virginia is a great place to be headquartered, and we are excited that the NSF will remain in Alexandria,” said Gov. Glenn Youngkin. “Virginia is the proud home to many public and private-sector headquarters, and we thank GSA and NSF leadership for trusting us by keeping their national mission and the approximately 1,600 employees who work at the facility, in Virginia.”
“This relocation enables the U.S. National Science Foundation to remain in Alexandria while making responsible use of federal facilities and supporting the needs of our workforce and the research community. Co-location with the U.S. Patent and Trademark office will also strengthen both of our abilities to translate discoveries to innovation. NSF appreciates the work of the GSA, Gov. Youngkin, and everyone who has worked to ensure the agency has the infrastructure needed to meet its critical mission that supports our economic and national security,” said Brian Stone, performing the duties of NSF director.
