Discount Grocer Lidl to establish corporate offices in Arlington

The real estate arm of Germany-based discount grocer Lidl plans to establish a major corporate presence in Arlington that will give it a foothold in the D.C. region as it rolls out a significant expansion in the U.S., according to sources familiar with the deal.

MGP Retail Consulting LLC, Lidl's real estate affiliate, acquired a condominium interest in National Gateway I at 3500 S. Clark St. for $56.6 million and will occupy a majority of the roughly 217,500-square-foot building, which has has had no office tenants since it delivered in 2010. It acquired its interest from an affiliate of The Meridian Group.

Lidl has been planning an ambitious expansion into the U.S. and has already taken steps to secure retail stores and distribution sites in other parts of the country. But the company appears to be establishing the D.C. region as a corporate center. In addition to its plans for National Gateway, it has also registered MGP Retail as having a corporate address on Wilson Boulevard in Arlington.

Company officials declined to comment on their plans for National Gateway but acknowledged Lidl is gearing up for its entry into U.S. markets.