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About Pentagon City
You might not expect one of Arlington's freshest and most fashionable neighborhoods to be so close to the Pentagon, but that's exactly what you'll find in the urban village of Pentagon City. Most people in the Washington/Arlington area know Pentagon City for its Fashion Centre shopping mall, and that surely is a higlight of the area, but fortunately there is a lot more. Upon leaving the Metro station, one undeniable first impression is the crisp feeling of an almost shiny newness that surrounds the area. From brand new shopping centers, high-rise apartments and office buildings, and the beautifully landscaped greenspaces that surround them, to the crowd of busy 20- and 30-somethings who live, work, and play here, Pentagon City just exudes the fresh buzz of 'new.' And indeed, this area has seen the bulk of its development in the last two decades, including the mall and the apartment buildings, many of which have completed construction only in the last few years. Even more development is taking place as well, with some apartment buildings still undergoing construction.
The community feeling extends beyond the immediate surroundings of the Metro as well. Less than two blocks from the Metro station lies the Virginia Highlands Park, an immense public space with playgrounds, basketball courts, tennis courts, baseball diamonds, footpaths, and a soccer field. Just beyond this, we can find lower-density residential neighborhoods characterized by single-family homes, soccer moms, and two-car garages. But of course, it's hard to ignore the shopping that makes Pentagon City famous. To the residents of the Arlington and Washington area, Pentagon City is first and foremost a retail destination, with what is probably the finest collection of shops, cafes, and restaurants in the beltway. The Fashion Centre at Pentagon City is the highlight, with Macy's, Nordstrom's, and Abercrombie among the favorites of the sky-lit mall's 130 shops and restaurants. But it is flanked by several other high-quality outdoor shopping centers, offering showcase stores, trendy eateries, and designer coffee shops. And in an unexpected bonus, an outdoor ice rink in the center of one of the outdoor shopping centers offers another great outdoor activity. Pentagon City has strived and succeeded in creating another dynamic city center for Arlington. One of the new kids on the block among Arlington's urban villages, Pentagon City certainly does not disappoint for those looking to have the entire urban experience, without the hassle. |
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Arlington's urban villages are walkable, mixed-use neighborhoods well served by public transportation. People who live in these neighborhoods are able to walk to shopping or to restaurants and hop on Metrorail, Metrobus or ART when they need to go anywhere else in the Washington Metro area. More about Arlington's urban villages. |
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That's not to say that the development hasn't been well-planned. Vast expanses of finely-manicured lawns and landscaping, complete with walking paths and park benches, surround most of the apartment buildings. Within walking distance from just about all of the apartment buildings, we can find great public transport and a wide array of retail services, including 24-hour grocery stores, hip bars and nice restaurants, making Pentagon City, for all intents and purposes, a self-contained community.