Around Town

A new restaurant promising “elevated American coastal cuisine” opens next week at the Westin hotel in Crystal City.

Stillwater & Stone, a new “land and sea”-inspired restaurant and bar, will hold its soft opening starting Tuesday, June 16, on the ground floor of the recently renovated Westin hotel at 1800 Richmond Highway. It’ll be open for breakfast, lunch, dinner and cocktails, offering a variety of meat and seafood entrees.


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County Board members are approaching a vote on whether to provide a historic designation at the Melwood property, where they previously approved an affordable housing project.

A final vote on the property at 750 23rd Street S., in Aurora Highlands, is likely to come at the Board’s June 17 meeting, following a required public hearing.


News

A pickup truck became engulfed in flames at the entrance to a Crystal City parking garage early Tuesday, prompting a large fire department response.

The intense vehicle fire broke out around dawn on the 1700 block of Crystal Drive, just outside of a loading dock and the entrance to a public parking garage.


Around Town

Community leaders and neighborhood residents celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Aurora Hills branch library on Saturday.

Megan Wianecki, manager of the branch library, said the day’s events were not just a celebration of the centennial, but all those who support the library and community.


Around Town

Plans for a new beer garden in Crystal City appear doubtful as the space has gone back up for lease.

The property at 556 22nd Street S. — which includes several thousand vacant square feet of indoor and outdoor patio space — had re-entered the market as of last week, despite a local chef’s previous plans to open Scapegoat Beer Garden there.


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An information technology company is relocating its headquarters from Bethesda to Crystal City, promising 450 more jobs.

Spatial Front is moving through a $6 million investment from the company, assisted by a $500,000 grant from the Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund, Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s (D) office said a press release today. The Virginia Jobs Investment Program will provide funding and services to support employee training at the company.


Around Town

A quick service version of Pizza Paradiso has opened a new location at the National Landing Water Park.

Pizza Paradiso Pronto is currently “soft opening” its new fast-casual pizzeria at 1611 Crystal Drive in Crystal City, serving up personal pies and pizza by the slice, as well as salads, paninis and craft beer. Guests can now try a taste ahead of the shop’s official opening this Friday.


Around Town

Twins Ace Hardware is celebrating its new Crystal City location this weekend with some big-ticket item giveaways, refreshments and other activities.

Starting today (Friday), the locally owned and operated hardware shop is holding a grand opening weekend at 2051 S. Bell Street. Festivities over the next few days will include a grilling expert meet-and-greet, daily giveaways and a ribbon cutting.


Around Town

A Crystal City hotel is celebrating its completed redesign and a soon-to-come “land and sea”-themed restaurant at the property.

Local leaders and staff at the Westin Crystal City cut the ribbon on the hotel’s overhaul yesterday (Thursday) at 1800 Richmond Hwy. The project redesigned the hotel’s 223 guest rooms, refreshed common areas with new walls, floors and furnishings, and will soon introduce Stillwater & Stone, a new restaurant and bar.


Around Town

The owner of a longtime gay bar and iconic local business in Crystal City says he’s remaining an “eternal optimist” following one of the restaurant’s toughest financial years yet.

Freddie Lutz, owner and founder of Freddie’s Beach Bar, says the restaurant is still grappling with economic difficulties that drove business down throughout 2025. However, Lutz says he is hopeful as ever as the bar — a hallmark of Arlington’s culinary and cultural fabric — recently celebrated 25 years in business on Restaurant Row at 555 23rd Street S.


News

An office building in Crystal City has begun the process of transforming into a 195-unit multifamily building.

JBG Smith announced that construction has begun at 2200 Crystal Drive, an 11-story building that the Arlington County Board approved for conversion from offices to apartments in July 2025.


News

The National Landing BID is refreshing its brand, rolling out a new look aimed at spotlighting the area’s amenities, events and connectivity.

The organization is debuting a new logo and a hummingbird mascot intended to reflect the area’s commercial transformation, plus a new tagline: “The everyday unexpected.”


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