A redevelopment project at the site of two former hotels in Green Valley has broken ground, promising new apartments and townhouses in early 2028.
NOVEL Arlington, located at the former site of the Hotel Pentagon and Comfort Inn Pentagon City, is getting underway at 2480 S. Glebe Road — promising a mix of 493 apartments, 37 for-rent townhomes and 549 parking spaces.
The project received County Board approval in April 2025 despite some community leaders’ concerns that a benefits package, including a required $2 million affordable housing fund contribution and nine affordable on-site units, would be insufficient to counteract its contribution to further gentrifying the historically Black neighborhood.
Other community benefits include the addition of new open space and a new bus shelter, plus a sponsorship of the annual Green Valley Day celebration.
A pair of developers, Charlotte-based Crescent Communities and New York City-based Rockefeller Group, closed on the project in January. It broke ground on March 31 and construction activity was well underway as of this week.
“NOVEL Arlington is designed to reflect how this community lives — active, connected and deeply rooted in place and local culture,” Brandon Wright, D.C. managing director at Crescent Communities, said in a press release. “This is a project that not only responds to the character of Arlington but also contributes meaningfully to its continued growth and vibrancy.”
NOVEL Arlington is located in the midst of community hotspots including Lomax AME Zion Church, Dr. Charles R. Drew Elementary School, John Robinson Jr. Town Square and The Shelton, an affordable housing building.
The project’s website is still fairly bare bones, so it’s unclear how much the new apartments and townhomes will cost to rent, but planned amenities include a rooftop pool, a courtyard, a golf simulator lounge, coworking spaces and “a full suite of fitness and recovery offerings.”
“We look forward to delivering next-level living and lifestyle experiences here,” said Josh Etter, D.C. managing director of development for Rockefeller Group. “We truly have the opportunity to enhance day-to-day lives in big and small ways, and this project responds to that.”
