Ballston One Office Building Demolition Begins in Arlington
The commercial site is set to become a 328-unit apartment complex following approval from the county board.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Commercial
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Demolition work has begun at the former Ballston One office building at 4601 Fairfax Drive in Arlington. The site is slated for redevelopment into a 328-unit apartment complex, reflecting a broader trend of transitioning aging commercial office space into residential housing.
Why it matters
This project represents a shift in neighborhood land use as developers replace older office towers with new multifamily housing. Following the Arlington County Board approval in July 2025, this site is one of several recent commercial-to-residential transformations in the Ballston area.
The developer, Penzance, purchased the site for $25 million in 2023 and is authorized for a building height of up to 16 stories under current zoning. This demolition follows the approval of other local projects, including a separate development at the former Ballston Holiday Inn site.
The players
Penzance
A real estate developer known for acquiring commercial assets and converting them into multifamily residential properties in the region.
Arlington County Board
The local governing authority responsible for land-use policy, site plan approvals, and zoning regulations within the city.
The details
Crews are currently dismantling the existing office structure to clear the lot for new residential construction. The redevelopment plan, which earned local government approval in July 2025, focuses on converting the land into a modern apartment community. This transition follows the developer's 2023 acquisition of the property and a formal site plan filing submitted in the spring of 2024.
Timeline
Summer 2023: Penzance affiliate purchased the office tower.
Spring 2024: Developer filed a conceptual site plan.
July 2025: Arlington County Board approved the redevelopment project.
October 2026: Demolition gets underway at the site.
The Home Front
This project aligns with the ongoing Arlington County office-to-residential redevelopment pipeline as local planners prioritize housing density. The shift underscores a wider market trend where aging office footprints are being repurposed to address evolving residential demand.
Residents living near 4601 Fairfax Drive should prepare for construction-related activity and noise during the demolition phase. Keep an eye on local development notices to stay updated on how the changing density might impact neighborhood traffic and future parking availability.
The takeaway
The transformation of the Ballston One site is part of a larger trend of high-density residential development currently reshaping the neighborhood's skyline. Keep track of local building permit filings if you want to monitor the progress of upcoming multifamily projects in your immediate area.
Further reading
For more on local business property trends, visit Arlington Commercial.
Source note: This article includes information reported by ARLnow.com - Arlington, Va. Local News.
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