Clarendon West is a new landmark development in the historic Lyon Village of Arlington that bridges the divide between low-slung single-family housing and the density around Clarendon Metro. Parker Rodriguez and the entire design team successfully navigated the challenges of a smart growth, sustainable, mixed-use project with this three-building redevelopment of the dreary Red Top Cab call center and parking lots. The development infuses new life to the neighborhood by animating these underused sites.

Built in two phases between 2019-2023, the two-building Earl Apartments completed first in mid-2021 centering around an extension of 12th St. N. The Fitzroy Apartments construction coincided with the County’s planned realignment of Washington Blvd. and 13th St. N., and opened towards the end of 2023.

At the ground level, PRI worked to seamlessly integrate public space with the new development. The design of three public plazas, one at each main entrance, all double as a forecourt to building vestibules that feed directly into the interior amenity spaces and provide activation at the streetscape. An intimate triangular pocket park with lush plantings provides a moment of pause at the terminus of a convenient mid-block passage, and townhome style unit walk-ups along 13th Street complement the adjacent single-family homes.

The courtyard and rooftop amenity spaces were each designed with a unique character. Building amenities include two raised multi-level pools, a games lawn, and many grilling, dining, lounge, and co-working terraces. Green roof and bioretention planters are implemented across the rest of the exposed roof top facilitating the absorption, filtration, and reuses of rainfall. The plant pallet consists primarily of a biodiverse palette of native species. The Earl and Fitzroy projects are LEED Gold certified.