In the First Quarter of 2024, a total of 46 demolition permits were applied for in Arlington County. All but one were for single family homes.
– 85% of the homes are in North Arlington;
– 74% are speculative developments;
– 42% are on land that sold for over $1,000,000
– 35% are in National Register Historic Districts; and,
– 12% are to make way for Expanded Housing Options (EHO) developments (aka Missing Middle).
– 60% of the EHO projects which are demolitions are being done in National Register Historic Districts, a designation meant to preserve a neighborhood.

In comparison, First Quarter of 2023 there were 41 demolition permits, 39 of which were for single family homes, 90% of which were in North Arlington, 46% were speculative, 30% sold for over $1 million only to be demolished, and 28% were in National Register Historic districts.

Two properties are owned by the County and are being demolished. 3108 Columbia Pike, an example of mid-century modern commercial architecture is being demolished for a parking lot. 4423 18th Street North was purchased by the County due to flooding and future flood mitigation efforts. It is one of four houses the county has purchased.

These National Register districts provide some tax benefits to owners but do not offer any protection of the houses from demolition. Loses in National Register Historic Districts Include:

In the Arlington Forest National Register Historic District
– 4810 3rd Street North
In the Ashton Heights National Register Historic District
– 714 North Lincoln Street
– 3220 5th Street North
– 629 North Monroe Street
In the Cherrydale National Register Historic District
– 2005 North Taylor Street
In the Highland Park/Overlee Knolls National Register Historic District
– 1824 North Quantico Street
In the Lyon Park National Register Historic District
– 129 North Fillmore Street
– 911 North Irving Street
– 719 North Cleveland Street
In the Lyon Village National Register Historic District
– 1816 North Jackson Street
– 1313 North Hudson Street
– 1620 North Garfield Street
In the Penrose National Register Historic District
– 2520 5th Street South
– 133 South Barton Street
In the Waverly Hills National Register Historic District
– 4423 18th Street North
In the Westover National Register Historic District
– 1527 McKinley Road

One last look:

(Our Lost list has been a monthly feature for several years. Moving it to Quarterly was intended to decrease the workload but it is actually quite a bit of work. It will return to monthly).