Westpost at National Landing

Westpost at National Landing is an outdoor mixed-use center in the Pentagon City neighborhood of Arlington, Virginia. The property was developed and originally marketed as Pentagon Row, a residential-over-retail project planned as a pedestrian-oriented complement to the nearby Fashion Centre at Pentagon City. It fronts South Joyce Street and occupies a prominent position within the National Landing district, close to the Pentagon City Metro area and the later development associated with Amazon’s second headquarters. The project broke ground in 1999 as a joint development involving Federal Realty Investment Trust and Post Properties. Contemporary plans called for a roughly five-story, S-shaped complex containing about 300,000 square feet of street-level retail and approximately 500 apartments above the commercial space. The broader development concept also contemplated later residential additions. A central public plaza was designed as the social heart of the project, with space for cafés, community events, and a seasonal outdoor ice-skating rink. Retail openings began in 2001. Harris Teeter and Bed Bath & Beyond were among the early anchor tenants, followed by a larger group of restaurants, apparel businesses, specialty retailers, and service providers. Early occupants included Lebanese Taverna, Starbucks, Chico’s, and Sur La Table. The resulting format combined everyday shopping with dining and residential uses rather than operating as a conventional enclosed shopping mall. Offices, apartments, parking, landscaped public areas, and event space contributed to the center’s mixed-use identity. The central plaza was subsequently renovated to support more flexible public use. The redesigned space incorporated outdoor café areas, smaller café structures, a pedestrian lawn, event programming, and winter skating. Arlington County recognized the plaza renovation through a 2013 DESIGNArlington Award of Excellence. Federal Realty describes the rink as a seasonal amenity generally operating from November through March, while local tourism materials identify it as approximately 7,200 square feet. In December 2020, Federal Realty renamed Pentagon Row as Westpost at National Landing. The change reflected the growing prominence of the National Landing district during the development of Amazon’s HQ2 campus nearby. The rebranding was accompanied by efforts to refresh the tenant mix and introduce new restaurants and retailers. Reported additions included Target, Road Runner Sports, Nighthawk Pizza, Kusshi, Banditos, and Mimi’s Handmade Ice Cream. A 34,000-square-foot Target opened in April 2022 in the space formerly occupied by Bed Bath & Beyond. The center’s current commercial identity combines grocery, general merchandise, apparel, beauty, fitness, specialty retail, and restaurants. Reported tenants include Harris Teeter, Target, DSW, T.J. Maxx, Ulta Beauty, Road Runner Sports, Sur La Table, Planet Fitness, Club Pilates, F45, Lebanese Taverna, Nando’s Peri-Peri, Nighthawk Pizza, Kusshi, Banditos, Basic Burger, and Saigon Saigon. The residential component is marketed as MAA National Landing by Mid-America Apartment Communities and includes studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom apartments. Westpost covers approximately 586,004 square feet across about 13.45 acres. Its site includes ground- and second-level retail, residential units, a central plaza, below-grade and surface parking, outdoor dining, offices, and the seasonal rink. As the property continues to operate under the Westpost name, the former Pentagon Row identity remains relevant in local references, planning documents, and historical descriptions.

Westpost at National Landing originated as Pentagon Row, a large mixed-use development planned for Pentagon City in Arlington, Virginia. Federal Realty Investment Trust developed the project with Post Properties as a residential-over-retail center next to the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City. The original concept was intended to provide a dense, pedestrian-oriented neighborhood destination rather than a traditional enclosed mall. Construction began in 1999. Early plans described a five-story, S-shaped structure with approximately 300,000 square feet of retail space at street level and about 500 apartments above it. The development was also planned around a public plaza with a winter ice-skating rink. During warmer months, the plaza was intended to accommodate café seating, outdoor activity, and community events. Later planning concepts contemplated additional residential towers. The first major retail openings took place in 2001. Harris Teeter and Bed Bath & Beyond served as important early anchors, and Federal Realty subsequently announced the opening of 17 additional stores. The initial tenant mix covered restaurants, coffee, apparel, home furnishings, and personal services. Notable early businesses included Lebanese Taverna, Starbucks, Chico’s, and Sur La Table. The combination of apartments, retail, restaurants, offices, parking, and a public plaza established Pentagon Row as one of the denser residential-over-retail developments in Pentagon City. The public realm became an important part of the property’s identity. The central plaza was renovated to make it more adaptable, adding outdoor café areas, smaller café buildings, and a pedestrian lawn used for events and seasonal skating. Mahan Rykiel Associates served as landscape architect, while Brown Craig Turner Architects was associated with the architectural work. Arlington County’s DESIGNArlington program recognized the plaza with a 2013 Award of Excellence. The skating rink remains a recurring winter attraction, generally operating between November and March. The retail mix evolved as the Pentagon City neighborhood changed. The center continued to combine everyday shopping with restaurants and services, while its open-air format supported dining and public events. The property’s location became increasingly connected to the broader National Landing district, a name used for the area encompassing Pentagon City, Crystal City, and Potomac Yard. In December 2020, Federal Realty rebranded Pentagon Row as Westpost at National Landing. The naming decision coincided with the increasing visibility of National Landing during the construction and planning of Amazon’s HQ2 campus nearby. The change was both a property-level identity update and an effort to align the center with the district’s emerging commercial profile. Federal Realty also announced new tenant activity, including Nighthawk Pizza. During the following leasing cycle, the center added or announced several retailers and restaurants, including Target, Road Runner Sports, Kusshi, Banditos, and Mimi’s Handmade Ice Cream. Target opened a 34,000-square-foot store in April 2022 in the former Bed Bath & Beyond space. Federal Realty described the resulting leasing program as bringing the property to full occupancy. New signage installed through 2024 helped complete the transition to the Westpost name. The property’s residential component is now marketed as MAA National Landing by Mid-America Apartment Communities. It offers studio and one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments near the retail center, the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City, and Metro access. The overall site includes approximately 586,004 square feet over about 13.45 acres, with retail on the ground and second levels, residential units, offices, parking, outdoor dining, and the central plaza. Westpost remains an active mixed-use center rather than a standalone consumer-goods brand. Its brand value rests on place identity: a recognizable outdoor destination in Pentagon City that combines convenience retail, restaurants, apartments, events, and winter recreation. The historical Pentagon Row name continues to appear in references to the site, while Westpost at National Landing is the current property identity.

• 2024

  Rebranding signage is completed

  [1]Westpost at National Landingen.wikipedia.org

  Federal Realty reported continued work to replace property signage with the Westpost at National Landing identity.

• 2022

  Target opens

  [1]Westpost at National Landingen.wikipedia.org

  A 34,000-square-foot Target opened in the former Bed Bath & Beyond space.

• 2020

  Property renamed Westpost at National Landing

  [1]Westpost at National Landingen.wikipedia.org

  Federal Realty changed the property’s name as National Landing became more prominent in connection with nearby Amazon HQ2 development.

• 2013

  Pentagon Row Plaza receives a design award

  [1]Westpost at National Landingen.wikipedia.org

  Arlington County’s DESIGNArlington program recognized the renovated plaza with an Award of Excellence.

• 2001

  Major retail openings begin

  [1]Westpost at National Landingen.wikipedia.org

  Harris Teeter and Bed Bath & Beyond opened, followed by a broader group of stores, restaurants, and services.

• 1999

  Groundbreaking for Pentagon Row

  [1]Westpost at National Landingen.wikipedia.org

  Federal Realty Investment Trust and Post Properties began development of a residential-over-retail project in Pentagon City, including plans for a public plaza and seasonal ice rink.

A walkable, outdoor urban village combining retail, dining, apartments, offices, public-space programming, and seasonal recreation in Pentagon City.

• Retail · 2001

  Retail and grocery offerings

  Westpost provides a broad convenience-oriented retail mix, including grocery, general merchandise, apparel, footwear, beauty, home goods, and specialty services. Harris Teeter and Target are among the reported major tenants, while DSW, T.J. Maxx, Ulta Beauty, Road Runner Sports, and Sur La Table represent additional shopping categories.

• Food and beverage · 2001

  Dining and cafés

  Restaurants and cafés are central to the open-air center’s positioning. Reported tenants include Lebanese Taverna, Nando’s Peri-Peri, Nighthawk Pizza, Kusshi, Banditos, Basic Burger, and Saigon Saigon. Outdoor seating around the plaza extends the dining experience into the public realm.

• Residential apartments

  MAA National Landing

  The residential component is marketed by Mid-America Apartment Communities as MAA National Landing. The community includes studio and one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments integrated with the retail and dining center and located near Pentagon City amenities and Metro access.

• Public space and recreation · 2001

  Central plaza and seasonal ice rink

  The central plaza is a major experiential feature of Westpost. Its renovated design includes a pedestrian lawn, outdoor café areas, smaller café structures, event space, and a seasonal outdoor ice-skating rink. The rink is generally operated during the winter season, from approximately November through March.

• 2021

  Refresh the tenant mixStrategy

  Background

  Following the rebrand, the center sought to update its retail and restaurant offer and respond to changing demand in the National Landing area.

  Action taken

  Federal Realty announced or reported leases for Target, Road Runner Sports, Nighthawk Pizza, Kusshi, Banditos, and Mimi’s Handmade Ice Cream, among others.

  Aftermath

  Federal Realty said the new leasing activity made the center fully leased, and Target subsequently opened in the former Bed Bath & Beyond space.

  Source

• 2020

  Rename Pentagon Row as Westpost at National LandingStrategy

  Background

  The National Landing district was gaining visibility through development associated with Amazon’s planned HQ2 campus and broader redevelopment in Pentagon City, Crystal City, and Potomac Yard.

  Action taken

  Federal Realty Investment Trust adopted Westpost at National Landing as the property’s new name and began updating its identity and tenant positioning.

  Aftermath

  The property continued operating as an open-air mixed-use center, while new leasing activity and replacement signage supported the transition from the Pentagon Row name.

  Source

• Unconfirmed

  Champps permanently closes Pentagon Row location[2]Champps永久关闭Pentagon Row门店arlnow.com

  Reported: 2020-03-20

  Champps permanently closed its sports bar and restaurant at Pentagon Row. A staff member said the company decided it could not keep operating locations that were losing money after the coronavirus outbreak.

1. 1Westpost at National Landingen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Champps永久关闭Pentagon Row门店arlnow.com