Ballston Park is a 512-unit garden-style apartment community within Buckingham Village, about one mile from the Ballston Metro station in Arlington, Virginia. It is part of the Historic Buckingham Village Local Historic District (LHD). Currently, there are 233 committed affordable units (CAFs) and 279 market-rate affordable units on site.
On May 19, 2026, the County Board issued a charge to the County Manager and County staff to conduct a planning study(PDF, 1MB) of Ballston Park and the adjacent Buckingham Commercial Area. The County planning study will evaluate a full spectrum of preservation and redevelopment scenarios, with the goal of identifying approaches that meaningfully extend housing affordability while protecting the historic and architectural significance of Ballston Park and the Buckingham Commercial Area. Any future changes to these properties would need to balance many factors, including housing supply and affordability, historic preservation, and thoughtful urban design and scale in a transit-rich area.
The Planning Study Historic Preservation
A planning study looks at long-term development options for how an area could grow and change. It considers a future vision for the site by exploring possible land uses, building types and locations, and ways to improve streets and public spaces. A planning study does not change current conditions or existing leases.
This study is beginning primarily because affordable housing agreements for many rental units in Ballston Park are expiring at the end of 2027. Existing residents living in those affordable units will continue to receive rent protections through 2030. The Arlington County Board would like more information about how housing affordability could continue beyond the current terms. The study will give the County Board the information and recommendations it needs to make thoughtful decisions about long-term development options. The process will include input from Ballston Park residents, area businesses, and the broader Arlington community. Any future decisions will be well‑informed and carefully considered.
The planning study will officially kick off in fall 2026 and is anticipated to take 12-18 months to complete.
No decisions are being made now. Future decisions will come after the planning study.
No. There is no demolition or redevelopment planned or approved at this time.
No. The charge issued by the County Board is only to explore various development options for the Ballston Park community and adjacent commercial area, and it does not change current leases or rents. Residents living in Ballston Park can continue to live in their homes. Likewise, businesses in the Buckingham commercial area can continue to operate in their current spaces. No immediate changes, including to leases or rents, are occurring.
If you participate in an annual income certification process, then you live in an income-restricted unit. If you don’t participate in that annual process, then you live in a market-rate rental unit. If you want to verify what type of unit you live in, please contact Paradigm Property Management.
Protections for current tenants living in income-restricted units between January 1, 2028, and December 31, 2030, include the following:
For Ballston Park Residents and Buckingham Businesses:
Paradigm Property Management, LLC Jose R. Varela, Regional Property Manager Phone: 571-482-5927
Arlington County Valerie Weiner, Housing Development Specialist vweiner@arlingtonva.us, 703-228-0836