Events

A locally owned plant shop in Crystal City is celebrating its one-year anniversary this month with giveaways, a market and other activities.

PLNTR, the D.C.-based boutique and nursery known for making an appearance on Season 7 of “Love is Blind,” will host a celebration on Sunday, May 31 at 269 19th Court S. Attractions will include a pop-up market with art and vinyl records and a “flash” tattoo session with Hummingbird Tattoo.


Around Town

A new cafe opened this week in Crystal City, offering espresso, tea and a selection of meals at an office undergoing a multimillion-dollar renovation project.

Constellation is now in business at 2011 Crystal Drive, serving coffee, loose-leaf tea, entrees and house-made pastries along with grab-and-go items. The space can seat about 60 guests and is equipped with a “slow bar,” where customers can purchase beverages prepared in a more deliberate, intentional fashion than a typical fast-paced cafe.


Around Town

A Pride-themed block party, planned as the “signature event” in Arlington during Pride Month, has been canceled less than three weeks before it was scheduled to happen.

Logistical challenges proved insurmountable for the Arlington Pride Block Party, which was originally expected to draw hundreds of attendees to Crystal City’s Restaurant Row area on Saturday, June 6, organizers announced yesterday (Monday).


News

The County Board has approved two more projects seeking to convert aging office buildings in Crystal City into residential buildings.

JBG Smith won approval to adapt a pair of empty, 11-story buildings constructed in the 1960s for housing — despite some residents’ objections about the limited community benefits that come with such projects. Under the plan, which County Board members unanimously supported at a Saturday meeting:


Around Town

A popular D.C. gastropub is bringing its acclaimed burgers to Arlington through a new fast-casual kiosk at Water Park.

Known for its East London-inspired pub fare, Duke’s Grocery is preparing a new spinoff, Duke’s Burgers, at the outdoor Crystal City venue. There, the restaurant — voted “Best Burger in DC” for 10 consecutive years in Washington City Paper’s ‘Best of DC’ — plans to serve up its signature burgers and bites in a fast-casual setting.


Around Town

A new bubble tea shop in Crystal City is celebrating its grand opening this weekend with discounts and an online sweepstakes.

Spot of Tea — which offers matcha and a variety of colorful fruit and milk teas at Water Park — will celebrate its new location starting tomorrow (Friday) with a 50% discount on all drinks and a limited-edition magnet giveaway.


News

County Board members are closing in on a decision about whether parts of the Nelly Custis School should receive historic designations.

Board members are slated to take their first procedural step toward a future decision on the 1.7-acre property tomorrow (Wednesday). They are likely to adopt an initiating resolution for consideration of the historic district proposed by a local resident and recommended by the Historical Affairs and Landmark Review Board (HALRB).


News

Action on two major development proposals in the Langston Boulevard corridor will highlight this weekend’s County Board meeting.

One of the projects is a 300-unit residential building at 3130 Langston Blvd, while the other is a 47-unit townhouse project at 2134 N. Taylor Street. Both have received the Planning Commission’s support, although county staff have recommended against the townhouses.


Around Town

A butcher and deli chain with a popular Philadelphia-style cheesesteak is planning to open a new spot in Crystal City.

Soko Butcher is coming to a 1,600-square-foot retail bay at 269 19th Court S., Suite 95, on the ground floor of the Grace and Reva apartments, owner Brad Feickert told ARLnow.


News

An advisory panel says the proposed pedestrian/bicycle bridge connecting Crystal City to Reagan National Airport falls short of optimal accessibility standards.

The current plan for an elevator and staircase at the Crystal City side of the crossing “is absolutely not sufficient,” said Pamela Van Hine, recording secretary of the Pedestrian Advisory Committee (PAC).


News

Construction on a row of new townhomes is getting underway at Crystal House Apartments, with completion expected in about a year.

The Highlands Row development of 42 townhouses along S. Fern Street — each with three bedrooms, two and a half baths and a price tag of about $1.2 million — is currently expected to begin foundation work next month and finish in May 2027, ARLnow is told.


News

Free weekend and evening parking is ending this week at several popular parking garages in Crystal City and Pentagon City.

JBG Smith — the prolific owner, operator and developer of numerous properties throughout National Landing and the D.C. area — will begin charging motorists a modest fee to park after-hours beginning on April 1.


View More Stories