Historic properties in Arlington come in all sizes, shapes and materials. This week we are featuring a collection of townhouse-style properties. While one is structured in a fee-simple community, the others are in established condominium communities but still retain the design characteristics of a townhouse — owning everything above and below you. These projects represent a period in time in Arlington where a great deal of housing was being built to accommodate the growing community. All of these projects began as rental properties and were eventually converted to ownership as the laws and market allowed that to occur.

4767 21st Road North, located in the Glebewood Village Historic District, is a 2 BR & 1 BA townhouse that has been recently updated on the inside while retaining the English Cottage exterior in this very quaint but well-located neighborhood. Tucked away just off Glebe Road and Lee Highway, it is within walking distance of shops, dining and METRO Bus service. The Glebewood Village Historic District is a national historic district and contains 105 contributing buildings in seven individual blocks. Built between 1937 and 1938, the Colonial Revival-style rowhouses are two stories in height with brick construction and alternating asymmetrical side-gabled roof. The home is currently listed at $459,000.

1400 South Edgewood Street located in the Arlington Village Historic District, is a 2 BR & 1 BA Georgetown style townhome with off-street parking and a great deck with a southern view. It is also steps from the burgeoning Columbia Pike corridor. The Arlington Village Historic District is a national historic district and contains 656 apartment units. It is a planned garden apartment community with open spaces, swimming pool, open courtyards and other recreational areas. Built in 1939 the garden apartments are two-story brick with Colonial Revival detailing with three different roof details, either flat, gambrel, or gable. Arlington Village was the first Federal Housing Administration-insured garden apartment development. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2008. The home is currently listed for $385,000.

3363 South Stafford Street and 3226 South Utah Street are both located in The Fairlington Historic District and are good examples of how these homes have been upgraded and modernized while still retaining the exterior charm of the community. In addition to close proximity to the Fairlington Shopping District and the bustling Shirlington restaurant district, Fairlington has easy access to I-395, the Pentagon and the region. The Arlington County historic marker sums it up best: “Designed in the Colonial Revival style by Kenneth Franzheim and Alan B. Mills and constructed between 1942 and 1944, Fairlington is an early example of successful community planning and large-scale, publicly financed rental housing built for defense workers and their families during World War II. With 3,439 garden apartments, Fairlington was the largest project financed by Defense Homes Corporation (a component of the National Housing Agency) and the nation’s largest apartment complex at that time. The units were renovated and sold as condominiums between 1972 and 1977. The name Fairlington combines Fairfax and Arlington, the counties in which the project was located.” They are currently listed for $454,900 and $449,995 respectively.

On occasion, Preservation Arlington will highlight unique historic houses that are on the market in Arlington County. We hope to raise awareness of some of the true housing gems we have here. Some might be in great condition and just need to be maintained by their next owner, while others may need a steward with heart and passion to restore and stabilize the property. These are not commercial listings or endorsements by Preservation Arlington.