About Arlington's 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

Virginia Square

Virginia Square, a high-rise condominium in North Arlington, takes its name from the area that sits just between Ballston and Clarendon: "Virginia Square." Built by The Dittmar Group in 1999, it offers three elevators, an exercise room, an exterior pool, a fiesta/meeting room, extra storage, and underground parking.

The Virginia Square market area encompasses many shops and restaurants, the Virginia Square Metro, convenience to Routes 66 and 50, the Arlington Library, and George Mason's Law and Graduate School campuses.

Located at 3625 N 10th St, Arlington, VA 22201 - The Monroe was completed in 2007. Another high-rise condo, this building features 79 units - some well over 1,500 sq ft. Amenities include a gym, library/community room, rooftop deck, ground level courtyard, and a concierge staff. The units feature hardwoods, granite, balconies, stainless steel appliances, some with extra storage all just 1/2 block from the VA Square Metro stop. Ground level units have private entrances from the street.

Some nearby shops include Starbucks, Cosi, 7-Eleven, Bank of America, Brueggers Bagel, Marvelous Market, and more.

Call me if you're interested in seeing some of the units on the market!

Do as I say not as I do.

Hindsight is 20/20 as the expression goes.

Did you just find out that you got accepted to George Mason Law School located in Arlington, VA? Or are you a current student at this fine law school?

Congratulations! You are or will be attending one of the top law schools in the country. Founded in 1972, George Mason Law School has soared in all the rankings to become a top tier place for legal education. In fact, faculty at Mason Law rank 21st for scholarly impact in the Leiter 2007 Faculty Quality Rankings and George Mason tied for first place among top law schools in a 2005 study on empirical legal scholarship.

I'm proud of my Alma Mater!

Before entering my career in real estate, I spent 3 years practicing law and received my legal training from none other than George Mason Law School. During most of the time attending classes at the campus near the Virginia Square metro, I lived in Ballston.

I rented an apartment. With my parents, I considered purchasing a condo. That was 1997. Unfortunately, I kept on renting.

Please don't make the same mistake that I did.

Here's why you should consider purchasing a condo near George Mason Law School:

• There are tons of condos within walking distance of George Mason Law School including buildings in the following areas: Clarendon, Virginia Square, Ballston.
  
  
• Additional condos are available on the Orange Line Metro in Courthouse and Rosslyn offering a convenient commute to school.
  
  
• Chances are when you graduate from George Mason Law School you will be working for a law firm in the D.C. area or some other legal job within the region.
  
  
• Case in point: Condos that I looked at back in 1997 averaged about $164,000. Today those same condos are selling for an average of $513,000! More than tripled in 11 years!
  
  
• During law school, you have a built in pool of potential roommates to rent out a room in your condo and help with the mortgage payment until you graduate and start working as an attorney.

Ready to search for condo near George Mason Law School? Click here to get started.

By the way, ask me about my special savings program for George Mason Law School students and alumni.