In October 2016, a total of fifteen (15) demolition permits were applied for in Arlington County. Twelve are for single-family homes. Three of the properties are in South Arlington. At least three of the projects are speculative developments. Only one, 1508 North Highland Street (Lyon Village National Register Historic District), is located in a National Register Historic Districts. Two permits are for garden apartment buildings. One of the garden apartment buildings (Fairfax Drive) and one of the houses (14th Street) are part of the same approved site plan for redevelopment. Four of the houses (Stuart Street) represent the last collection of homes from the early development of Ballston. These homes are being demolished as part of an approved siteplan for the property. The remaining one demo permit is for an oversized shed.

Totals for 2016
Homes: 147
– 25 are located in National Register Historic Districts
– 69 are speculative developments (owned by developers)
Garden Apartments: 9
Commercial Buildings: 4

The looming demolition of these houses and buildings represents an incredible loss of history, architecture, time, energy, and materials. Many had the potential for renovation and additions or, at a bare minimum, reclamation/reuse of building materials. These buildings are often replaced with new construction that is out of scale and proportion to the community. Preservation Arlington urges citizens to adopt Local Historic District designations for their communities, with standards for design, height, and placement that could be customized to reflect community needs while still allowing reinvestment to occur.

Similarly, if you are a property owner and are contemplating a change to your property, Preservation Arlington encourages you to work with your architect or builder to consider how some or all of your house or building could be incorporated into a renovation, or the materials reused.