Treasurer Carla de la Pava, right, with Chief Deputy Treasurer Kim Rucker prior to de la Pava's retirement (courtesy Carla de la Pava)
Arlington Democrats appear to have their nominee for the upcoming special election for treasurer, while Republicans are seeking to recruit a challenger.
Kim Rucker, who became treasurer upon incumbent Carla de la Pava’s retirement earlier this month, was the only candidate to file for the Democratic endorsement, Democratic officials told ARLnow.
Diana Casillas, an Arlington motherhood influencer on Instagram (courtesy of Diana Casillas)
To build a social media following in Arlington, focus on community.
That’s one lesson that local influencers shared with ARLnow, discussing how they and other Arlington residents have cultivated Instagram and TikTok accounts with well over 50,000 followers.
Welcome to Kami’s Korner where we’ll take a deep dive into Arlington’s condominium market by focusing on what’s coming next. From emerging developments to shifting trends, this space will spotlight the opportunities and insights shaping the future of condo living in Arlington.
If you are in the market for a new Arlington condominium today, bring a flashlight. There is absolutely nothing to see and it’s a total ghost town. This isn’t a lack of buyer interest. I start by blaming the lingering, multi-year COVID hangover where no projects got designed, financed, or approved for several years since we didn’t know if the world would continue. Construction costs then further paralyzed commercial real estate and rising interest rates also crashed the party. No model units exist, no fancy preview sales offices or even a basic website landing page.
Want a place under 1,500 square feet? Pack your bags for Alexandria. Want a completely different suburban vibe? Enjoy the commute from McLean or Reston. The big local guessing game is simple. Who actually crosses the finish line first? Will it be 1501 Langston Boulevard? The upcoming tower at One Rosslyn? Or the old Key Bridge Marriott site known as Potomac Overlook?
Place your bets now. None will begin before roughly 2029 if all goes well.
If you are in the market and don’t want to wait until 2029 for these new communities to make a buying decision, you might consider the latest luxury condominium in Arlington in Rosslyn, Pierce. This stunning community sold out in 2024 and there hasn’t been another new condominium community since. Let’s look at some of what the community offers.
A Real Option: Pierce
With 104 residences spanning 27 floors, Pierce offers expansive floor plans with premier interior finishes. At the height of sophisticated condominium living in Rosslyn, it boasts showstopping Potomac River and DC skyline views through dramatic, floor-to-ceiling windows, generous private balconies, high-end finishes, and excellent floor plans. It has some of the best views in town and has aged well. Full disclosure on the building management: My friend is the board president and my company hired the resident manager so the building is run flawlessly. The finances are actually in order.
The Bragging Rights (By The Numbers)
Buying here requires serious financial muscle. Of the 104 residences, 38 were under $1.5M, 51 were from $1.5M–$2.5M, and 15 were over $2.5M. Pierce’s average size is 1,894 sq ft, making the average price $1,910,000. With an average price per square foot of $1,033/sq ft, it is one of the top five residential buildings in Northern Virginia.
Who Lives There
The typical buyer isn’t a single 20-something. 65% of the buyers were couples and the average age among the buyers was 53. 35% were from Northern Virginia and another 33% were from out of the area, which was driven by the volatile job market during COVID. 65% of those buyers in Virginia were already in Arlington and 20% were retired. Just 13% actually commute into DC so Northern Virginia’s economy is doing just fine. About 60% used a trusted agent to make their purchase and that is typical across all similar new communities.
An apartment building in Shirlington (staff photo by Dan Egitto)
The median cost of renting an apartment in Arlington has likely hit its high point for 2026 after increasing 3.5% since the start of the year.
The county’s $2,611 median rent in July — $2,459 for one-bedroom units, $2,975 for two-bedroom units — was down 1.1% year-over-year but remains among the priciest in the nation.
El Rey at 4201 Wilson Blvd in Ballston, where Solace Outpost just filed for a liquor license (staff photo by Ryan Cole)
A brewpub concept from a Sterling brewing company is pursuing a partnership with a Mexican restaurant in Ballston.
Solace Outpost has applied for a license to sell alcohol at 4201 Wilson Blvd, at the site of El Rey taqueria and margarita bar. Solace Brewing Company co-founder Jon Humerick told ARLnow that Solace is “finalizing terms” on an agreement with El Rey’s current owners, potentially involving co-ownership.
Join the Rosslyn BID and Arlington Arts at the 34th Rosslyn Jazz Fest 2026 featuring live jazz, food trucks, local vendors, and family-friendly activities in the heart of Rosslyn! This year’s lineup is bringing a diverse mix of performers and bands redefining the jazz music genre including Plena Libre, Sally Baby’s Silver Dollars, Parlor Greens, and Dogo du Togo & the Alagaa Beat Band.
Job seekers at a Crystal City career fair (file photo by Jay Westcott)
Unemployment in Arlington is stabilizing but remains greatly elevated compared to the end of 2024, according to new data.
With 146,571 county residents employed in the civilian workforce and 4,622 looking for jobs, June’s unemployment rate was 3.1%, according to data reported July 29 by the Virginia Department of Workforce Development and Advancement.
Service dog in training (via Donald Teel/Unsplash)
The Arlington School Board is considering a formal ban on petting dogs that are working as service animals.
As part of a July 22 Policy Committee meeting, School Board members reviewed a proposal to officially require that students and staff refrain from extraneous interactions with service animals, including petting them.
The Shirlington Transit Center (staff photo by Dan Egitto)
Hand-Pulled Noodles Hit Clarendon — Xi’an Famous Foods will open its first D.C.-area storefront (2800 Clarendon Blvd) on Friday, Aug. 7. The New York chain’s 66-seat, quick-service location is one of its largest yet, with a no-tipping policy and opening discounts putting many dishes around $10. [Washingtonian]
Ballston Construction Site Break-In — Officers responding to a burglary alarm in the 600 block of N. Glebe Road around 9:32 p.m. Tuesday “observed the male suspect inside the secured construction site,” according to ACPD. The suspect ran deeper into the site and a search turned up nothing. [ACPD]
Fairlington Shed Fire — “The fire was contained to a shed, and there was no fire or smoke damage to the occupied residential structures,” Taylor King of the Alexandria Fire Department told ALXnow. No one was injured in the Tuesday night fire in the 4100 block of 36th Street S. Arlington’s fire marshal is investigating. [ALXnow]
‘Burst of Joy’ POW Laid to Rest — Retired Air Force Col. Robert Stirm, the returning prisoner of war embraced by his daughter in the Pulitzer Prize-winning 1973 photo “Burst of Joy,” was buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery yesterday (Wednesday). Stirm spent 1,966 days in captivity and died at 92. [Arlington National Cemetery]
Summer School All Stars — “This month, we are proud to recognize five employees whose dedication, leadership and care helped make the 2026 Summer School program a success.” The honorees work at the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Program, Glebe Elementary, Wakefield High School and the Syphax Education Center. [APS]
Dulles Overhaul Unveiled — President Donald Trump unveiled a roughly $22 billion plan to remake Dulles International Airport, scrapping its mobile lounges for a U-shaped passenger train, a central walking tunnel, new concourses and a 32,000-space parking garage. Airlines and the airports authority say they will fund it without federal dollars. [FFXnow]
Falls Church Project Scrapped — Stewart Investment Partners has abandoned plans for a seven-story, roughly 200-unit residential building at 419 W. Annandale Road in Falls Church and listed the just-under-an-acre lot for sale through JLL. The Bethesda firm paid $4.6 million for the site in 2022. [WBJ]
It’s Thursday — Mostly sunny today with a high near 87 and northwest winds around 12 mph, gusting as high as 21 mph. Rain chances are near zero. Tonight will be partly cloudy with a low around 69. [NWS]
There’s more local news to explore. Check out WSHnow, with stories from around the region.
Expect mostly sunny skies with a high near 86°F and a northwest wind at 11 mph, gusting up to 21 mph. Thursday night will be partly cloudy with a low around 69°F and a lighter northwest wind between 3 and 7 mph. See more from Weather.gov.
💡 Quote of the Day
“In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.” – Abraham Lincoln
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