Shirlington is a population center officially called an “urban village” in the southern part of Arlington County, Virginia, United States, adjacent to the Fairlington area. The word “Shirlington” is a combination of “Shirley” (from the Shirley Highway or Interstate 395) and “Arlington.” It is mostly middle-class residential, but like most of Arlington County has been experiencing an economic renaissance and is now home to many upscale dwellings and retail and service establishments that also serve the nearby Fairlington, Parkfairfax, and Nauck areas.
Shirlington lies in the valley of Four Mile Run, a tributary of the Potomac River. It is the site of the trailhead of the Washington & Old Dominion Railroad Trail, a rail trail that travels along the route of a railroad that closed in 1968. Shirlington lies adjacent to I-395 and is immediately accessible from Shirlington Circle (Exit 6 on I-395). It is home to WETA-TV, WETA-FM radio, the Signature Theatre, and some USPTO satellite offices. Closeby shopping can be found at The Village at Shirlington, originally opened in 1944, as one of the earliest suburban shopping centers.
Shirlington is a young professional’s playground. It is a located a stone’s throw from employers in Washington D.C. and Arlington VA. A collection of restaurants and entertainment options, surrounded by a mix of apartments, condos, and traditional neighborhoods, it is hip enough to attract crowds from other parts of the metropolitan area, but still quiet and quaint enough to be a relaxing home to thousands of residents.
Like Columbia Pike, Shirlington is another urban village that is not directly centered on a Metro station. Rather, it is served by an extensive network of Metrobus routes that take commuters to the Pentagon City and Crystal City Metro stations, among other destinations. The Shirlington Station at 2975 South Quincy St. offers bus riders an attractive waiting area and bus transfer location as well as a Commuter Store.
Originally constructed in the 1940′s, the Shirlington shopping center, focused on 28th street, was renovated in the late 1980′s and now boasts more than ten restaurants. Choices range from a gourmet deli to Thai food to the Carlyle Grand Café, a modern American restaurant with art nouveau décor that is one of the Washington area’s favorite dining destinations. Nightlife is highlighted by the Capitol City Brewing Co, which serves several varities of beer, brewed on-site, and Bungalow Billiards, featuring a dozen pool tables, huge-screen TV and darts.
Shirlington is home to two live theaters. Classika Theatre features a steady diet of plays and dramas, ranging from children’s theater to more serious classical and contemporary favorites. Musical theater is Signature Theatre’s specialty. If you’re more in the mood for a movie, the AMC Lowes Shirlington 7 offers seven screens. WETA, Washington’s outlet for PBS television and NPR radio, is also headquartered here. With all this, “culture” is easy to come by in Shirlington.
Another great aspect to life in Shirlington is how much green space there is in close proximity. Most of the apartment buildings that surround Shirlington’s shopping center are beautifully landscaped with rolling lawns and meandering walkways. In addition, there are several parks in the area, including Utah Park, Jennie Dean Park, and a dog park and exercise area. And the WO&D bike trail, which stretches into rural Virginia, originates very close to this area as well.
All these factors have combined to make Shirlington a prime residential location too, with a mix of garden apartments, high-rises, and condos, all near restaurants and shops. The area appeals not only to young professionals, but to demographic groups from families with children to seniors.
And plans to expand Shirlington, and add more commercial and residential space, are in the works. With a nice mixture of leisure activities, great housing, and of course, outstanding public transit access, Shirlington is another of the unique little neighborhoods that make Arlington great.
