The Ballston-Virginia Square Partnership unites citizens, real estate professionals, corporations, businesses, trade associations, educational institutions, non-profits, civic and condominium associations, and other interested parties, in promoting and enhancing the urban villages of Ballston and Virginia Square.

Major corporations are attracted to the area because of its excellent amenities, including well-planned parks and public improvements; the high caliber of development projects; a well-educated population; and proximity to the nation’s capital.

Recently relocated to Ballston are the corporate offices of:

•	KEI Pearson
•	AES
•	Watson Wyatt

Ballston and Virginia Square are the preferred addresses of major information technology firms such as:

•	CACI International
•	E*Trade Bank
•	Qwest Communications
•	Science Applications International Corporation
•	Plateau Systems, Ltd.

In addition, several major, national associations are headquartered in Ballston and Virginia Square, including:

•	The Nature Conservancy
•	Natural Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA)
•	National Telecommunications Cooperative Association (NTCA)
•	Associated Builders & Contractors

Ballston and Virginia Square have also attracted many governmental agencies, including:

•	Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
•	National Science Foundation

The presence of several educational institutions within Ballston and Virginia Square creates a uniqueness and a synergy not found in other area markets:

•	George Mason University Law School and Graduate Center
•	Marymount University School of Business
•	The George Washington University Graduate Education Center
•	Parks College
•	Northern Virginia Community College

Arlington’s Central Library is an important community resource, and the Ellipse Gallery, sponsored by Arlington County’s Cultural Affairs Division, offers both community and regional shows. A newly-renovated and expanded Arlington Arts Center will open in 2004.

Four hotels welcome tourist and business travel activity to the area:

•	Hilton Arlington and Towers
•	Holiday Inn Arlington
•	Comfort Inn – Ballston
•	The Westin Arlington Gateway Hotel, first Westin Hotel in Virginia

A vibrant retail presence is anchored by Ballston Common Mall, with both national chains and small shops. The regional department store, Hecht’s, will be replaced in September 2006 with nationally-known Macy’s. The Mall is also the location of a 12-screen first-run cinema, an improv comedy club, and numerous restaurants. Recently-opened in the Mall are:

•	Panera Bread
•	Cold Stone Creamery
•	Asahi Kaiten Sushi Bar

Restaurants in Ballston and Virginia Square offer a variety of cuisines, from continental to barbecue, Italian, Latin and Asian, family favorites to night spots. Street life is enhanced by the many Ballston restaurants that offer outdoor dining in pleasant weather.

Award-winning chef Tracy O’Grady has recently opened the Willow Restaurant, serving modern continental cuisine at 4301 Fairfax Drive. Within its first year of operation, the Willow was named one of Washington’s 100 Best Restaurants by Washingtonian Magazine.

Pinzimini’s in the new Westin Arlington Gateway Hotel offers Italian specialities presented by Chef Jeff Haight. The eco-friendly Ted’s Montana Grill, also opened within the past year, serves bison and American comfort food at Ballston Point. Another recent arrival is Caribbean Breeze, at Fairfax Drive and N. Randolph Street, featuring Latin cuisine.

Opening summer 2006: 1Gen Thai Cuisine at Ballston Point, and P.F. Chang’s at 901 N. Glebe Road.

Harris-Teeter has established a major grocery store which serves the Ballston area, while Giant Food maintains a long-standing presence in Virginia Square. Gourmet food shops, delis and coffee shops abound.

Complementing corporate, governmental, educational, retail and small business involvement is the active resident community, represented by several civic and condominium associations and community service organizations. These groups are generally focused on enhancing the area’s quality of life through improving pedestrian safety, emergency preparedness, community policing, cultural amenities and accessibility.