About 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 isn't dominated by towering office buildings or crawling with big-time nightlife destinations, 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.

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. Casual Adventure, an outdoor clothing and shoe store, dates from the same period and has thrived in one incarnation or another for 45 years.

But while these older businesses continue to prosper, the area has also seen a lot of development in the recent past. In 1991, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or FDIC, opened a building right across from the Metro station, 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. Two newly completed apartment buildings within blocks of the Metro have also altered the landscape. Carole Sullivan, Executive Director of the Arlington Arts Center (which is undergoing renovations itself) agreed, adding "When I used to look out the window (towards the Metro station), it used to be car lots. Now it's these big beautiful buildings."

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 fields, and is a favorite destination for brown-bag lunchers in the summertime. The Arlington Central Library and two nearby churches accentuate this small-town feel. Laurie Klotz, an intern at a non-profit in Virginia Square, also praised the proximity of other outdoor activities – "I love the bike trails around here – they're all over the place."

The area is of course very convenient to other modes of transport as well. Three large pedestrian/biking corridors (Wilson Boulevard, Fairfax Drive, and Washington Boulevard) all pass through the neighborhood, as do several bus routes, making the area convenient for workers who don't live close to Metrorail.

Virginia Square is an area whose character will continue to evolve. As George Mason University continues to expand, and with a newly renovated Arts Center scheduled to re-open in the fall of 2003, Virginia Square will become more of an educational and cultural center.

Click here to view available homes in Virginia Square. Zip 22201.