CRYSTAL CITY ARLINGTON
Neighborhood
Crystal City is an urban village located in the southeastern portion of Arlington County. It is one of the key locations related to Amazon HQ’s National Landing plan.
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About Crystal City
Amazon: Agent Of Change
Phase One of Amazon HQ completed in 2023, but Phase II is on hold indefinitely. Amazon cites remote work, economic uncertainties, and large-scale layoffs as the reasons for their pause. But now that Amazon is mandating a return to the office for workers, a restart may be forthcoming.
Over a thousand new residential units have delivered within blocks of HQ2 in the past couple of years. The latest is The Zoe, a 19-story, 420 unit apartment building on S. Bell Street, which started leasing in December 2024.
Area megalandlord JBG Smith is comverting two aged office buildings into hospitality and residential spaces. The developer will convert 2100 Crystal Drive from Amazon’s former temporary offices to a 330 key hotel. 2200 Crystal Drive will become a condo or apartment building with 200 units.
The famed Crystal City Underground is being phased out, due to the ‘shifting retail landscape and National Landing evolution.’
One of the main amenities in the neighborhood is the Crystal City Water Park, which reopened to the public in late 2023, following extensive renovations. The revamped 1.6-acre park features a diverse range of culinary experiences, including two full-service restaurants, Water Bar, and a collection of grab-and-go food stalls. The park also hosts community events, arts and entertainment, and wellness programs throughout the year.
Crystal City is home to the US Department of Labor, the United States Marshals Service and Pentagon satellite offices. Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport runs along the eastern portion of the neighborhood.
Homes in Crystal City are typically apartments and condos in highrise buildings, or townhouses. Most residents are renters. There are few single-family homes in the neighborhood, primarily around its borders and particularly on the western edge where it meets the Aurora Highlands and Arlington Ridge neighborhoods.
Cirystal City offers a variety of dining and retail venues, an eclectic mix of shops and boutiques, and grocery options include Whole Foods, Lidi Express, Giant Food and Costco. The area is designed to be pedestrian-forward.
Crystal City Transportation
Mass Transit
Crystal City Metro Station East Entrance construction finally began in mid-2024. The project includes a pavilion at the intersection of Crystal Drive and 18th Street South, featuring fare gates, vending machines, and a staff kiosk. The addition aims to improve accessibility and reduce crowding during peak travel times.
Plans are also underway to rebuild the Virginia Railway Express (VRE) station in Crystal City. The project involves constructing a full-length center platform to accommodate longer trains and increased service, hopefully addressing current operational bottlenecks.
Walking And Biking Trails
For a neighborhood as densly-built as Crystal City, there are a surprising number of outdoor travel and leisure options available.
Mount Vernon Trail
One of the most prominent trails accessible from Crystal City, the 18-mile paved multi-use Mount Vernon Trail runs parallel to the Potomac River from George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate to Theodore Roosevelt Island. It connects to various parks and historic sites along the way, and is extremely popular with cyclists, runners, and walkers.
Four Mile Run Trail
This 6-mile paved path follows Four Mile Run stream between Arlington County and Falls Church. It begins near Reagan National Airport, connects with the Mount Vernon Trail, and extends westward through Shirlington, eventually linking with the Washington & Old Dominion (W&OD) Trail in Bon Air Park. Runners, cyclists, and dog walkers enjoy its mix of wooded areas and urban scenery.
Potomac Yard Trail
Connecting the Braddock Road Metro Station and Del Ray Alexandria neighorhood to Crystal City, The Potomac Yard Trail provides a paved pathway utilized by cyclists, scooters, runners, and walkers. Accessible are a Target store, Long Bridge Park, and the Mount Vernon Trail, which leads to crossings into Washington D.C., such as the 14th Street Bridge. Plans are in the works to extend the Potomac Yard trail, enhancing connectivity to the District. They have not yet been executed as of 2025, but in October 2024, a 4.5-acre extension of Potomac Yard Park was inaugurated, which included an extension of the Potomac Yard Trail. This development aims to create a continuous off-street trail from Braddock Road to Four Mile Run, improving regional trail connectivity.
Future plans, including the Long Bridge Project, propose additional connections between Virginia and Washington, D.C., which may further enhance trail accessibility in coming years.
Crystal City Bike Network
Arlington County developed the Crystal City Bike Network, southbound protected or buffered bike lane on Crystal Drive, and a two-way cycle track or northbound protected bike lane along South Clark and Bell Streets. Additional protected bike lanes connect this network via 15th, 18th, 23rd, and 26th Streets South, facilitating safe and efficient cycling within the area.
Long Bridge Park
For those interested in walking or running, Long Bridge Park, located at the intersection of Crystal Drive and 12th Street, offers wide trails suitable for various activities. The park features informative displays about the area’s history and ecosystem.
Crystal City-Aurora Hills Homes For Sale
If you’re not seeing Crystal City and Aurora Hills homes for sale due to seasonal inventory shortages or a fast-selling market, contact me for a Collection of off-market, Private Exclusive listings.