Virginia Square

Virginia Square is an urban village that, upon first glance, might not be as easily recognizable as some of the other neighborhoods in Arlington. It is not dominated by towering office buildings or crawling with big-time nightlife destinations that can be found in Clarendon and Ballston, but Virginia Square still has plenty to offer. Like many of the other urban villages in Arlington, Virginia Square can be defined as a residential community, a 9-to-5 working center, an educational and cultural hub, and a neighborhood with some history, all at the same time. It does in fact have a little bit of everything, and this dynamic area is continuing to grow today while still hanging on to its unique personality. As there are more apartment buildings planned to be developed behind the VA Square Condo building and others changes planned.

Virginia Square originally derived its name from the Virginia Square Shopping Center, which now houses a Giant supermarket. There are still some local business stalwarts from this era here today. Mario's Pizza has been serving slices to the community since 1957 along Wilson Blvd heading into Clarendon. Casual Adventure, an outdoor clothing and shoe store, dates from the same period and has thrived in one incarnation or another for 45 years on Washington Blvd next to Rocklands BBQ.

While these older businesses continue to prosper, the area has also seen a lot of development in the more recent past. In 1991, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or FDIC, opened a building right across from the Virginia Square-GMU Metro station (which first opened in December 1979), and now employs 500 people here. In 1996, the Arlington campus of George Mason University, only a block from the Metro station, began a large renovation and expansion project by adding the law school and more recently Founders Hall. Over the years, the neighborhood has gradually evolved from a car-centric area to true urban village.  Presently only the orange metro lines serves the area, but in 2013 the Silver line is planned to open and service VA Square as well.

Fortunately, Virginia Square still retains its eclectic identity. A few blocks away from the Metro, we find residential neighborhoods, highlighted by single-family homes with grassy front yards. Quincy Park, the largest of four parks within walking distance of the Metro station, features picnic areas, a playground, and baseball and softball fields. The presence of Arlington Central Library within walking distance of the metro help complete the neighborhood feel. Some of the information is from the Arlington Co. commuter pages website.

Recent Real Estate Activity from Jan 1, 2011 through early April 2011:

VA Square Condo: 901 Monore Street N

Active 

#1413              1BR/1BA         Listed for $395,000

Under Contract

#303                2BR/2BA         Listed for $499,000

#703                2BR/2BA         Listed for $499,000

#1415              2BR/2BA         Listed for $575,000

Sold

#1516              2BR/2BA         Sold for $560,000

#209                2BR/2BA         Sold for $510,000

#615                2BR/2BA         Sold for $581,000

Tower Villas Condo: 3800 Fairfax Dr

Active

#413                2BR/2BA         Listed for $525,000

Sold

#812                1BR/1BA         Sold for $287,000

The Monroe Condo: 3625 10^th St N

Active

#706                3BR/2BA         Listed for $749,900

#301                2BR/2BA         Listed for $625,000

Sold

#306                2BR/2BA         Sold for $860,000