neighborhood
Living in National Landing, Arlington, VA
National Landing sits at an unusual intersection: it is simultaneously one of the region's most practical addresses and one of its most rapidly transforming neighborhoods. Positioned between the Pentagon and the Potomac River in Arlington, Virginia, just minutes from Washington, DC, this corner of National Landing has long offered unmatched transit access and proximity to major federal, defense, and technology employers. The arrival of Amazon HQ2 has accelerated what was already a significant transformation, adding new restaurants, green spaces, and urban infrastructure to a neighborhood that was already among the most connected in the metro area.
For residents who want to live inside that transformation rather than watch it from a distance, The Bartlett rises 26 stories above National Landing, with the Pentagon City Metro station a short walk from the front door and Reagan National Airport two miles away by Metro. National Landing is still being written, and The Bartlett places residents at the center of that story.
How to Get Around National Landing
The Bartlett's address at 520 12th Street South places residents within a 0.2-mile walk of the Pentagon City Metro Station on the Blue and Yellow Lines, providing direct service to downtown Washington, DC, Crystal City, L'Enfant Plaza, and beyond. Reagan National Airport is two miles away, accessible by Metro without leaving the platform, making The Bartlett one of the most airport-convenient addresses in the entire DC metro area.
The Crystal City Metro Station is a short walk north, offering additional Blue and Yellow Line access and connections to the Virginia Railway Express for commuters heading toward Fredericksburg or Manassas. Capital Bikeshare stations are positioned throughout the neighborhood, with the Mount Vernon Trail providing a dedicated cycling route along the Potomac River north to Georgetown and the National Mall.
The National Landing Neighborhood, Then and Now
National Landing's story begins in 1946, when developers acquired a 190-acre site of empty fields and commercial warehouses along what would become one of Northern Virginia's most strategically positioned urban corridors. The neighborhood's trajectory changed permanently in 1977, when the Pentagon City Metro station opened on the Blue Line, catalyzing decades of high-density residential and commercial development. The 1989 opening of the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City established the area as a regional retail destination, a status it has maintained ever since.
The rebranding of the broader area as National Landing in 2018, coinciding with Amazon's selection of the neighborhood for its East Coast headquarters, marked the beginning of a new chapter. Today, National Landing apartments like The Bartlett sit within a neighborhood that combines decades of established urban infrastructure with significant ongoing investment in new parks, dining destinations, and public spaces. The result is a neighborhood that functions well today and is becoming even more interesting each year.
- 1946Developers acquire a 190-acre site along the corridor that would become National Landing.
- 1977The Pentagon City Metro station opens on the Blue Line.
- 1989The Fashion Centre at Pentagon City opens as a regional retail destination.
- 2018The area is rebranded National Landing as Amazon selects it for HQ2.
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Dining, Shopping & Everyday Essentials
National Landing's retail and dining offering is anchored by major national and regional institutions rather than independent boutiques, which suits residents who value reliability and breadth over novelty. The neighborhood's concentration of shopping options within walking distance is among the highest in Northern Virginia:
- Whole Foods MarketA full-service grocery anchor with a wide selection of natural and organic products, prepared foods, and everyday essentials.
- Fashion Centre at Pentagon CityA multi-level indoor shopping mall with Macy's, Nordstrom, and over 160 specialty retailers, within walking distance.
- WestpostAn open-air shopping and dining district adjacent to the Fashion Centre, with grocery, fitness, and restaurant options.
- Water ParkNational Landing's outdoor dining destination with 11 restaurant concepts anchoring Crystal Drive, a short walk or bike ride away.
Parks, Trails & Open Space
National Landing offers a genuine range of outdoor options, from neighborhood green spaces to regional trails along the Potomac River. For residents with dogs, The Bartlett's on-site Paw Patch Dog Park and proximity to neighborhood parks make it one of the more practical choices among pet-friendly apartments in Arlington:
- Metropolitan ParkThe central public green space at Amazon's HQ2 campus, with open lawns, seating, and community programming, a short walk from The Bartlett.
- Prospect Hill ParkA historic green space within National Landing with mature trees and quiet residential character.
- Mount Vernon TrailA paved multi-use trail running along the Potomac River, connecting National Landing north to Georgetown and south toward Alexandria and Mount Vernon.
Amazon HQ2 & the National Landing Employment Corridor
National Landing has emerged as one of the most significant employment corridors in the mid-Atlantic, anchored by Amazon's HQ2 campus and the long-established presence of federal defense and security agencies. The concentration of employers within walking distance or a short Metro ride from The Bartlett is difficult to match anywhere in the region.
The Pentagon, the world's largest office building by floor area, is adjacent to National Landing and employs roughly 26,000 military and civilian personnel. Defense contractors, cybersecurity firms, and federal agencies including the DEA and TSA maintain significant presences in the surrounding office corridors. Virginia Tech's Innovation Campus, located in the Potomac Yard section of National Landing, further anchors the neighborhood as a destination for technology research and development. For residents commuting into DC, the Blue and Yellow Lines reach downtown in under 15 minutes.
Healthcare, Work & Getting to Both
Military healthcare facilities, including the Pentagon's health clinic and DiLorenzo TRICARE Health Clinic, serve the significant uniformed and civilian military population in the area. Inova Health System operates hospitals and urgent care facilities across Northern Virginia accessible by car or transit. For residents commuting to DC-area medical campuses at MedStar Washington Hospital Center, the Metro's Blue and Yellow Lines provide direct routing without a car.
National Landing's highway access is equally strong. Interstate 395 runs adjacent to the neighborhood, providing direct driving routes to downtown DC, Alexandria, and points south. The George Washington Parkway connects north along the Potomac to Georgetown and Maryland. For residents whose work takes them to multiple locations across the region, National Landing's combination of Metro access and highway connectivity is a significant practical advantage.
Transit Options & Regional Access
The Bartlett's transit access is among the strongest of any residential address in the DC metro area:
- Pentagon City Metro (Blue & Yellow Lines)0.2 miles on foot; direct service to L'Enfant Plaza, Gallery Place, Union Station, and Reagan National Airport.
- Crystal City Metro Station (Blue & Yellow Lines)A short walk north; additional Blue and Yellow Line access and Virginia Railway Express connections.
- MetrobusMultiple routes serve National Landing and Crystal Drive, connecting to Columbia Pike, Alexandria, and DC neighborhoods.
- Capital BikeshareStations throughout the neighborhood, with direct access to the Mount Vernon Trail for car-free river commutes to Georgetown and DC.
- I-395 direct accessOn-ramps within minutes of The Bartlett for driving commutes to downtown DC, Fort Belvoir, and points south.
Come See National Landing for Yourself
The best way to understand National Landing is to walk it. Schedule a tour of The Bartlett and see the neighborhood from the front door.
Property Address
The Bartlett
520 12th St S
Arlington, VA 22202
Phone
Call or text the leasing team at (833) 291-2695 for current availability and specials.