In December 2017, a total of nine (9) demolition permits were applied for in Arlington County. In comparison, December 2016 was 10; December 2015 was 10; December 2014 was 15; and December 2013 was 11.

Single Family: All of the permits are for single-family homes and all are located in in north Arlington. At least seven of the projects are speculative developments. None of the homes are located in a National Register Historic Districts:

Totals for 2017
Homes: 158
– 39 are located in National Register Historic Districts
– 98 are speculative developments (owned by developers)
Garden Apartments: 4
Commercial Buildings: 5
Other Structures: 2
Civic Buildings: 2

The pending demolition of these homes and buildings represents a 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.