Cities are filling with young professionals at a breakneck pace nationwide. As populations swell and offices look to attract the new rush of tenants, access to public transportation can make or break a building's desirability. Nationally, public transit use is up 34% since 1995 as commuters adopt alternatives to driving.
In Arlington County, the local government approved a 10-year plan last year that would make bus service more accessible across Columbia Pike, Crystal City and Pentagon City. Meanwhile, several building owners have taken improvements into their own hands, outfitting properties with transit programs that appeal to a broad range of tenants. From bike rooms to car pools, here are five of Arlington’s coolest office properties that offer great transportation incentives and programs for tenants.
Potomac Tower
Brookfield’s Potomac Tower features a wide rage of amenities for active commuters, including a new, secure bike room with a repair station and a full-service fitness center complete with showers and a locker room. These perks have helped the building attract a variety of major tenants, including the National Grocer’s Association, reducing its vacancy. Potomac Tower earned a 2016 Bicycle Friendly Business designation from the League of American Bicyclists.
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Two Liberty Center
Fully occupied Two Liberty Center, managed by Kodiak Realty Services, offers tenants sustainable transportation programs. From designated car pool and van pool parking to transportation displays in the lobby, Two Liberty Center strives to keep its occupants in place. Property managers have offered cost-free bicycle tuneups to bike commuters for the last three years, earning the property its own Bicycle Friendly Business designation.
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Century Center
Century Center at Crystal City is a two-tower office complex comprising 560K SF of office and 60K SF of ground-floor retail in a promenade that connects the buildings. Lowe Enterprises has demonstrated a strong commitment to sustainable transportation and promoting commuting options to tenants. Featuring a secure bike room, free van pool parking and on-site car-sharing amenities, Century Center is a property that takes pride in giving back to its tenants and the county.
Clarendon Center
Owned and managed by Saul Centers, Clarendon Center is an office property with a significant focus on transportation and location. The landlord took a strong interest in learning more about the commuting patterns of building occupants. Voluntarily surveying its tenants to figure out ways to improve transportation amenities, Clarendon Center discovered that only 51% of its employees drive alone — lower than the county average of 55%. Additional transportation programs include preferential pool parking with discounted and free rates, custom information on local commute options and amenities for active commuters.
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3001 and 3003 Washington Blvd.
Transwestern and KBS manage 3001 and 3003 Washington Blvd., and they have taken steps to ensure that tenants understand all their transportation options. Located in Clarendon, 3001 and 3003 Washington offer free SmarTrip cards to new tenants and offer real-time transit updates on the TransitScreen in both lobbies. This past spring, management distributed free Capital Bikeshare memberships and offered free bike repair accessories for active commuters.
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