Virginia Square, Arlington, Virginia

Virginia Square is a neighborhood in Arlington County, Virginia. It is centered at the Virginia Square station on the Orange Line of the Washington Metro subway system, between Clarendon and Ballston. The neighborhood consists of a mix of high-rise apartments, garden apartments, and single-family homes generally dating to the 1940s.

The Virginia Square neighborhood is home to the Arlington campus of George Mason University including its Law School, the Arlington Arts Center, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, and the main branch of the Arlington Public Library. The area’s name is derived from the former Virginia Square Shopping Center (now the site of a Giant supermarket). Among local restaurants, Mario’s Pizza has been a landmark since 1957 and El Pollo Rico since 1982.

Virginia Square Shopping Center

The Virginia Square Shopping Center opened in early 1952, to complement the adjoining Kann's-Virginia store. ["Kann's Virginia Set for Friday Opening," "The Washington Post", Nov 14, 1951, p. 15.] At opening, the 15 store center included a Giant supermarket, People's Drug, Fanny Farmer candy, L. Frank Co. women's apparel, Jonas men's apparel, the Bo Peep Shop, and Mary Baynes Gift Shop. [Display Ad, "The Washington Post", Oct 24, 1952, p. 23.] An F.W. Woolworth variety store also operated at the center. Following the 1975, closure of the Kann's-Virginia and Kimel's Furniture Store, the center entered into a period of decline. ["Kann's Customers Try to Get in Locked Doors," "The Washington Post", May 24, 1975, p. C1.] In March 1986, the Virginia Square retail landmark Mary Baynes Gift Shop closed its doors. ["Wrapping it Up After 34 Years," "The Washington Post", Mar 6, 1986, p. VAE1.] Redevelopment of the Center, talked about for almost a decade, finally commenced in Summer 1988, when the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation demolished the old center and erected its new headquarters and other buildings on the site. ["Residential Plan Favored for Virginia Square," "The Washington Post", Jul 28, 1982, p. VA9.] ["Future Grim for Stores in Arlington," "The Washington Post", Apr 19, 1984, p. VAA1.] ["Change at Virginia Square," "The Washington Post", Feb 22, 1988, p. D3.]

References

External links

* [http://www.arlingtonva.us/Departments/CPHD/Planning/data_maps/metro/virginia_sq/index.htm Virginia Square Metro Station Area Data, Statistics and Development]
* [http://www.commuterpage.com/art/villages/VirginiaSq.htm Arlington's Urban Villages - Virginia Square]
* [http://www.arlingtonartscenter.org Arlington Arts Center]