Arlington County Board made a series of unanimous decisions in late January that will shape the landscape of Rosslyn, Clarendon, and the Langston Boulevard corridor.
From Motel to Multifamily: Goodbye Inn of Rosslyn
The Board gave the green light to demolish the long-standing Inn of Rosslyn at 1601 Fairfax Drive. In its place: an 8-story apartment building with 141 units and underground parking.
The project includes:
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13 committed affordable units locked in for 30 years, priced for residents earning up to 60% of Area Median Income.
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Sustainability features like LEED Gold and ENERGY STAR certification.
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A nod to the past: either preserving or replicating the iconic “50” architectural element from the old motel and installing a historic marker.
This change required a rezoning and approval of a new site plan, along with vacating part of an existing easement.
Clarendon’s Entertainment Scene Gets More Time (and Scrutiny)
The Board also reviewed live entertainment permits for several Clarendon hot spots under the Clarendon Live Entertainment Group (CLEG). Four permits were renewed:
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Bar Bao and two others were renewed with four-month administrative reviews and full Board reviews in 2027.
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Buena Vida, which was recommended for discontinuation, got a conditional extension with the same review schedule.
The Board also instructed staff to come up with clearer rules about when problem venues might be brought back for hearings outside of normal review timelines.
More Beer Garden Seats, Langston Blvd Developments Move Forward
The Scapegoat Beer Garden, tucked near Crystal City, will keep its outdoor-heavy seating setup—208 seats outside, compared to 79 inside—for at least another year.
And up on Langston Boulevard, the Board gave the go-ahead to advertise future hearings for a big new project at the Walgreens site (3130 Langston Blvd). That proposal? A 12-story building with 296 residential units and ground-floor retail.
Wilson Boulevard Study Concludes
Finally, the Board wrapped up the long-running 2847 Wilson Boulevard Special GLUP Study, paving the way for formal applications that would fold the site into the Clarendon Revitalization District. A new public hearing will be held to consider a full “Service Commercial” designation for the property.