Herndon's Building Boom: Location, Location, Location

Shovels in the ground anticipated this summer for The Floris Conservatory for Arts & Music.

Hemanth K. Balasundaram, founder and managing principal of a McLean-based group of investors, Scimores Academy LLC, anticipates construction of the corporation's new project, The Floris Conservatory for Arts & Music, will begin in June of this year. Balasundaram made the announcement at the March 28, Dulles Regional Chamber of Commerce IGNITE Mixer/Speaker Series. Balasundaram said that Scimores seeks an aggressive build schedule with the completion of the 40,000 square foot, two-level building by September 2020.

"The Floris Conservatory of Arts & Music will be a great addition to the Dulles Region,” said John P. Boylan, president of the Dulles Regional Chamber. “The spark of joy and understanding brought to our youth through this conservatory will add to all of our lives. This is really an investment in our youth and makes the entire community stronger."

During his presentation, Balasundaram described a state-of-the-art-facility that would offer children 4-18 years of age a wide range of arts programs and amenities all under one roof. “It will transform education and its experience," Balasundaram said.

Located on the corner of Centreville Road and West Ox Road, near the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project and major highways, Balasundaram said that the academy, sited on an 8.07-acre parcel, would have parking for 250 cars, twenty-five studio spaces for group classes, ten private pods for lessons, a 300-seat auditorium and a 120-seat conference center. "We will have a music shop, cafe, and a professional recording studio," Balasundaram said.

The building would be centered around a courtyard and offer country views with much natural light, Balasundaram said. He said that the quality of the arts education, facility, environment and ambiance, all in one place, would attract exceptional teachers and inspire students.

According to Scimores’ business plan posted online, it would offer three products at the arts conservatory, a Scimores Corporation initiative:

  • Proprietary Course Curriculum: We will be developing a very structured, disciplined and classical curriculum.

  • Virtual/Self Learning Console: We will be developing a self-learning, self-pacing curriculum/software with a complete console where technology meets human excellence with the aim of every institution, home and student having one for training.

  • Unique School Bus Management Software: We will be developing unique software that satisfies the complex routing associated with schools, conservatory and homes. Reliability and safety of youngsters will be paramount.

“The Floris Conservatory will provide an outlet for many and give a balanced alternative to athletics and academics,” said Boylan.