Forget Crystal City. Have you heard of National Landing? It is more than just a name. It is a vision.
National Landing is an interconnected urban center. It comprises Crystal City, Pentagon City, and Potomac Yard. These are three thriving neighborhoods in Northern Virginia. They are just outside Washington D.C.
But why “National Landing”? The name connects the area to the nation’s capital. It also nods to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. This location is very close by.
Imagine a place designed for walkability. National Landing offers this. Public outdoor spaces are all around. Crystal City Water Park provides an escape. You can find water fountains and picnic areas there. Live music entertains regularly. Longbridge Park offers 30 acres of recreation. Potomac Yard Park features an interactive water fountain. Walking trails and sports courts add to the appeal.
Amazon’s HQ2 is located in National Landing. This has transformed the area. It is now a hub for innovation. Many innovative companies call National Landing home.
But National Landing has a history predating Amazon. In the 1960s and 70s, Crystal City was quiet. Government agencies and military contractors were its main occupants. The name “Crystal City” came from Crystal House. This was one of the first apartment buildings. It had a crystal chandelier in the lobby. Subsequent buildings adopted the “crystal” theme. Underground corridors connected buildings. People could travel between stores and offices without going outside.
Potomac Yard’s name comes from its past. It was once a very busy rail yard. Railroad development began in the 1850s. Alexandria Union Station opened in 1905. Potomac Yard opened a year later. It attracted thousands of workers. They settled in the area now known as Del Ray.
National Landing provides access to public transportation. There are three Metro stations on the Blue and Yellow Lines. The Virginia Railway Express also stops in Crystal City. The Metroway bus service runs between Pentagon City and Braddock Road. A walkway to Reagan National Airport is under evaluation.
The Fashion Centre at Pentagon City offers shopping. It features many retailers and restaurants. Potomac Yard Center includes big-box stores. Target, Best Buy, and PetsSmart are there. Crystal City has a variety of restaurants on 23rd Street S and Crystal Drive.
National Landing is more than just a location. It is a community. Over 34000 people from around the globe call National Landing home. They reside in a mix of condos, apartments, and single-family homes. It is a place to live, work, learn, and play. National Landing is city life reimagined.