About Potomac Yard
Potomac Yard is one of Arlington’s newest neighborhoods, built on land that once served as a major freight rail yard connecting the Washington region to national rail networks. For much of the 20th century, the site functioned as a rail switching yard supporting industrial transportation across the region.
As rail activity declined in the late 20th century, local leaders, planners, and residents began working toward a new vision for the site — one that would transform the former industrial landscape into a connected, livable neighborhood.
In 2000, Arlington County approved the Potomac Yard Phased Development Site Plan (PDSP), establishing a long-term framework for redevelopment. The plan authorized millions of square feet of residential, office, retail, and hotel development, along with parks, transportation improvements, pedestrian connections, and new public streets designed to integrate the area with Crystal City, Alexandria, and surrounding communities.
From the beginning, Potomac Yard was designed as a walkable, transit-oriented neighborhood. The redevelopment framework emphasized public open space, multimodal transportation, and a balanced mix of uses to support both residents and local businesses. Parks, trails, and connections to Four Mile Run were incorporated alongside new housing and commercial spaces to create a neighborhood that feels integrated with the broader Arlington community.
Over the past two decades, Potomac Yard has steadily evolved from planning vision to reality. Residential buildings, streets, parks, and neighborhood amenities have been constructed in phases, guided by the original development framework and subsequent updates.
The opening of the Potomac Yard Metro station represents a major milestone in fulfilling the neighborhood’s transit-oriented vision, strengthening connections to the rest of the region and supporting continued growth.
Today, Potomac Yard is a growing residential community shaped not only by long-term planning, but by the people who live here and contribute to neighborhood life.
