Staycation Worthy Living

Staycation Worthy Living

Cortland East at The Highlands

The largest community at the award-winning Highlands development, Cortland East incorporates 450 rental apartments, anchor retail, and Arlington’s Number 10 Firestation to deliver versatile and vibrant living with amenity and entertainment spaces designed for Rosslyn’s most active and social residents.

Featuring a contemporary façade of metal panels, shimmering glass, and warm brick, Cortland East lends a striking and active presence to The Highlands community. Its 27 stories curve gently away from North Pierce Street, maximizing light and air at the pedestrian level and offering residents exceptional views of Rosslyn Highlands Park and the Potomac River. A third-floor roof garden overlooks the new park to distinguish the property from Pierce, the adjoined luxury condominium building.

Massing studies indicated the two residences should be combined into one building in order to maximize the client’s density goal.

Residences are situated atop 20,000-SF of retail space and a 16,988-SF community fire station. On the building’s west façade, a 500-foot radius curves away from the property line to preserve the pedestrian experience and meet Arlington zoning requirements. The curve is offset twice towards the eastern façade both horizontally and vertically throughout the building.

LEED Gold

Building Certification

449

Spacious, Light-Filled Units

20,000+

SF of Luxury Amenities

An inviting lobby featuring hospitality-infused details and a blend of organic and sleek finishes provide an immediate introduction to the community’s approachable yet luxurious character. Throughout the public spaces, subtle plaid patterned and leather furniture, smokey geometric wallpaper, and vintage brass tones combine for an elevated collegiate-inspired environment.

Residents have access to over 20,000 SF of public amenity spaces, including The Porch, its crown jewel indoor-outdoor penthouse lounge. A 65-foot-long rooftop infinity pool with a custom-mosaic-tiled waterfall feature wall overlooks some of the region’s most beautiful sights. Shared with Pierce residents, The Porch also offers an outdoor entertainment kitchen, fire pits, and cabanas, creating a private resort-like escape in the center of Arlington. Inside, the Tailgate Lounge features several booths and plasma-screen TVs for socializing on game day.

On the second floor, a fitness facility overlooks the streetscape, offering rock climbing, boutique group classes, and access to a private Aqua Spa. Co-working lounges and small meeting rooms throughout the building accommodate today’s hybrid worker and entrepreneur. Designed for a diverse community of families and young professionals, additional amenities include a tree house-inspired playroom for children and a game room complete with a golf simulator, dart boards, and beer on tap.

Cortland East delivered under budget and several months earlier than expected. It sold with its neighbor ahead of schedule with projection estimates indicating stabilization within 14 months of opening.

The building achieved LEED Gold certification and exceeded minimum energy code requirements, earning it a 2022 USGBC NCR award for Innovative Residential Project of the Year. A variety of impactful strategies reduce operational emissions, including a high-performance envelope with improved window and roof U-values, Energy Star appliances, efficient water-source heat pumps, and decoupled ventilation systems. Low-carbon construction materials and environmental impact-reporting manufacturers were prioritized.

Location

1788 N. Pierce Street
Arlington, VA 22209

Client

Penzance

Partners

GC: Whiting-Turner Contracting
Landscape: Lee and Associates Inc.
Photographer: Ron Blunt + Garrett Rowland

Sustainability

LEED Gold