Crystal City | ARLnow.com

Published May 29, 2026 at 9:15AM

Freddie's Beach Bar with "drag brunch" signs in Crystal City in 2024 (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

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

Construction begins on Crystal City project to convert office building into apartments

By Dan Egitto

Published May 28, 2026 at 3:45PM

A rendering JBG Smith's plan to turn 2200 Crystal Drive into a residential building (courtesy of JBG Smith)

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

National Landing BID unveils new logo and hummingbird mascot at anniversary celebration

By Katie Taranto

Published May 28, 2026 at 11:45AM

The National Landing BID's 2026 annual meeting, featuring the BID's new logo, mascot and tagline (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

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.”

News

ACPD: Juvenile pepper-sprayed bystander during dispute at local high school

By ARLnow.com

Published May 27, 2026 at 9:15AM

Police at Yorktown High School (file photo)

Police arrested a teen after he allegedly pepper-sprayed a bystander during a dispute at Yorktown High School last Thursday (May 21).

Officers were dispatched to the school at 5200 Yorktown Blvd shortly after 3:30 p.m. A teen boy and a girl became involved in a verbal dispute on school property, during which the boy discharged pepper spray and struck another girl, a bystander, according to Arlington County police.

Events

Plant boutique hosting pop-up art market, wine tasting to mark one year in Crystal City

By Katie Taranto

Published May 21, 2026 at 11:45AM

A look inside PLNTR's Crystal City store in June 2025 (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

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

Constellation cafe opens in Crystal City with ‘slow bar’ and grab-and-go items

By Katie Taranto

Published May 20, 2026 at 11:45AM

Seating at Constellation (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

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

Arlington Pride block party is canceled, replaced with LGBTQ+ movie screening

By Katie Taranto

Published May 19, 2026 at 11:45AM

An LGBTQ+-inspired art installation at 23rd Street S. and S. Fern Road (courtesy of Tracy Sayegh Gabriel)

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

Two more office buildings approved to become housing in Crystal City

By Scott McCaffrey

Published May 18, 2026 at 10:00AM

1901 S. Bell Street (via Arlington County)

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

Duke’s Grocery bringing fast-casual burgers and pub food to Crystal City

By Katie Taranto

Published April 30, 2026 at 2:45PM

Duke's Grocery burger and white truffle mac and cheese (courtesy of Taylor Mickal)

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

Spot of Tea offering discounts and giveaways at Crystal City grand opening

By Katie Taranto

Published April 23, 2026 at 12:45PM

Spot of Tea in Crystal City (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

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

Decision on Melwood property’s historic status may come in June

By Scott McCaffrey

Published April 21, 2026 at 8:30AM

The Nelly Custis School (via Arlington County)

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

Two Langston Blvd development projects highlight County Board’s weekend agenda

By Scott McCaffrey

Published April 14, 2026 at 3:45PM

The proposed redevelopment project at 3130 Langston Blvd (via Arlington County)

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.