The Washington DC region continues to attract leading technology companies, innovative startups, and top talent, cementing its role as a leading center for technology, innovation, and economic growth. Strategically positioned minutes from the Pentagon, Capitol Hill, and the federal agencies and decision-makers shaping the future of national security and technology, National Landing sits at the intersection of government, industry, academia, and innovation.
National Landing’s Origins
The neighborhoods Crystal City, Pentagon City, and Potomac Yard, although distinct in their own way, effectively functioned as one cohesive downtown. Catalyzed by the Business Improvement District’s expansion and a high-profile nationwide search for Amazon’s second headquarters in 2018, local economic development officials positioned the area as National Landing, a new super-neighborhood undergoing development to become more interconnected and walkable. The name is a reference to National Airport and the area’s significant transit activity and a way to speak to the broader vision and transformation.
Amazon saw the value in National Landing and became a vital piece of the community.
For more information about the naming process and BID boundary expansion, visit the BID’s website here.
Amazon HQ2:
- First phase opened in May 2023
- Roughly 2.1 million square feet of office space across two 22-story towers
- More than 8,000+ employees as of 2026
Beyond attracting major corporations like Amazon, National Landing was created to unify Crystal City, Pentagon City, and Potomac Yard under a shared identity and vision for the future. Its unique geographical proximity to the nation’s capital, extensive transportation network, future infrastructure investment, and growing reputation as a hub for innovation have helped establish National Landing as a destination for companies, talent, and investment at the intersection of technology and national security.
Established Anchor Institutions
The arrival of Amazon HQ2 helped accelerate National Landing’s growth as a center for innovation, attracting additional employers, research institutions, and investment to the district.
Virginia Tech’s new Innovation Campus, which opened in January 2025, is helping develop the next generation of technology talent through graduate programs focused on computer science, computer engineering, and advanced computing. Combined with seven additional universities located within five miles of National Landing, the campus strengthens the region’s talent pipeline and supports collaboration between academia, industry, and government. Virginia Tech’s National Security Institute is already partnering with public and private sector organizations on dual-use technologies spanning AI, quantum sensing, and integrated communications.
National Landing is also home to a growing concentration of leading aerospace, defense, and technology organizations. Boeing relocated its global headquarters to National Landing, joining companies such as Lockheed Martin, General Dynamics, Northrop Grumman, and SAIC, all of which maintain a significant presence in the area.
Equally important is National Landing’s proximity to the Pentagon, one of the world’s largest centers of defense leadership and decision-making. Combined with direct access to Reagan National Airport, Metrorail, and the region’s transportation network, these assets help position National Landing at the intersection of government, industry, talent, and innovation.
Why National Landing Attracts Gov Tech and Defense Tech
For companies working at the intersection of technology and national security, National Landing offers what no other district can claim, including:
- Adjacency to government buyers and decision-makers
- The Pentagon, federal intelligence agencies, and key contracting hubs are minutes away
- Seven of the 10 largest recipients of federal defense spending have a presence in or close to National Landing
- Events like Missions + Markets are designed specifically to connect startups with government buyers and investors
- A pipeline of talent
- With Virginia Tech and other educational institutions involved in National Landing, STEM talent is entrenched
- The AWS Skill Center in Arlington offers free workforce training around AI and cloud computing
- Support for start-ups and commercialization
- Starburst — the leading aerospace and defense startup accelerator — opened its National Landing Launchpad in 2025, with direct support from Arlington County, the Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation, and the National Landing BID
- Through partnerships with DARPA and IARPA, the district has become a recognized channel for scaling federally funded technologies into venture-backed enterprises
- A tech-minded identity
- With Amazon, commercial cloud infrastructure and national security cloud operations are embedded in the area
The Residential Appeal
National Landing’s appeal extends beyond its growing concentration of technology and innovation companies. It’s a thriving neighborhood with a diverse range of housing options, expanding retail and dining destinations, and the amenities that support everyday life. JBG SMITH has played a significant role in that evolution, delivering new luxury apartments moments from the Crystal City Metro, a range of housing options for young professionals, and other state-of-the-art high-rises with city views. These residential towers are creating thousands of housing opportunities, and residents are eagerly filling them nearly as fast as they open.
Connectivity is one of the factors that continues to draw residents and businesses to National Landing. The neighborhood offers direct access to Metrorail, regional transit, bike trails, and Reagan National Airport, making it easy to move throughout the Washington region and beyond. Future projects, including a new pedestrian bridge connecting the airport to Crystal City, will make those connections even more seamless.
Over the past several years, National Landing has also welcomed nearly 100 new restaurants, retailers, and local businesses, helping transform the area into a more vibrant, walkable destination for residents, employees, and visitors.
Listen to a podcast interview about the transformation of National Landing.
Looking to the Future
Despite its rapid development in less than a decade, National Landing has expanded deliberately, thoughtfully, and with purpose. Its economic architecture and identity makes it the ideal place for advancements to flourish in tech, national security, STEM, and beyond.
Learn more about the opportunities for work in National Landing.