If you’ve been doom-scrolling Zillow or Apartments.com for anything in Northern Virginia lately, you’ve definitely seen 1330 S Fair St Arlington VA 22202. It’s the address for The Sur, one of those massive, sleek luxury apartment complexes that sprouted up to catch the Amazon HQ2 wave. It’s right there in National Landing, or Crystal City, or Pentagon City—honestly, the borders are so blurry now that everyone just calls it "near the airport."
Most people look at the photos of the rooftop pool and the "aquatic-themed" lobby and think they know the deal. It’s a box in the sky, right? Well, sort of. But there’s a specific vibe to this corner of Arlington that you only get once you’ve spent a Tuesday night trying to find parking or realized how close you actually are to the roaring engines of Reagan National Airport (DCA).
The Reality of Life at 1330 S Fair St Arlington VA 22202
The Sur is big. Really big. We’re talking over 300 units. When you pull up to 1330 S Fair St Arlington VA 22202, the first thing you notice isn't the building itself, but the greenery. It sits right across from Virginia Highlands Park. This is a massive deal. In a neighborhood that can feel like a concrete canyon of defense contractor offices and sterile glass towers, having several acres of grass, tennis courts, and a dog park directly across the street is a lifesaver for your mental health.
The building was designed to feel "organic." That’s marketing speak for "lots of wood accents and blue lights." It’s pretty, though. Most apartments in this zip code feel like doctors' offices with kitchens. This one actually feels like someone hired an interior designer who liked the ocean.
Space, Rent, and the "Amazon Effect"
Let’s talk money. Living at 1330 S Fair St Arlington VA 22202 isn't cheap. You’re paying for the proximity to the Pentagon and the new Amazon headquarters. Expect to see studios starting well over $2,200, with two-bedrooms easily clearing the $4,000 mark depending on the floor and the view.
Is it worth it?
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If you work in DC or at the Navy Yard, your commute is basically a breeze. You’ve got the Yellow and Blue lines at the Pentagon City Metro station, which is about a ten-minute walk. If you’re lazy (no judgment), there are scooters everywhere.
One thing most reviewers miss: the soundproofing. These modern "stick-built" or "podium-style" apartments can sometimes have paper-thin walls. The Sur used concrete construction for a lot of the heavy lifting, which helps, but you’re still in an urban flight path. You will hear planes. It becomes white noise after a week, but for that first 48 hours, you’ll swear a 737 is landing in your living room.
The Neighborhood: Beyond the Lobby
You aren't just renting an apartment; you're buying into the 22202 lifestyle. This zip code is one of the wealthiest and most educated in the country, but it’s also undergoing a massive identity crisis.
For decades, Crystal City was where "boring" lived. It was all underground malls and beige siding. Now, thanks to the massive investment around 1330 S Fair St Arlington VA 22202, it’s becoming a tech hub.
- The Food Scene: You have the "Restaurant Row" on 23rd Street. It’s gritty compared to the shiny new stuff, but it’s where the best food is. Freddie’s Beach Bar is an institution. If you want fancy, you walk the other way toward the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City.
- Groceries: It’s a Whole Foods versus Amazon Fresh battleground. The Whole Foods on 12th St is the social hub of the neighborhood. Seriously, people get dressed up to go buy kale there.
- The Outdoors: Beyond Virginia Highlands Park, you’re a short bike ride from the Mount Vernon Trail. You can pedal all the way to Mount Vernon or across the bridge into DC.
Why People Actually Move Here
Honestly, most residents at 1330 S Fair St Arlington VA 22202 are young professionals who want zero friction in their lives. They want a gym that’s better than a Gold’s Gym (The Sur’s fitness center is legit). They want a 24-hour concierge to catch their 14 Amazon packages a week. They want a "pet spa" because washing a Golden Retriever in a bathtub is a nightmare.
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But there’s a downside to the "frictionless" life. It can feel a bit transient. A lot of folks stay for a one-year lease and then move when the "new lease" concessions (like two months free rent) dry up. If you're looking for a deep-rooted community where everyone knows your name, this might feel a little cold. It’s high-end, high-turnover.
Comparing 1330 S Fair St to the Competition
If you're looking at this address, you're likely also looking at The Bartlett, Metropolitan Park, or some of the older high-rises further down Crystal Drive.
The Bartlett is the "party" building. It’s huge and always has something going on.
The buildings on Crystal Drive have better views of the Potomac River.
1330 S Fair St Arlington VA 22202 wins on the "neighborhood feel" because it's slightly tucked away from the main commercial drag. It feels a bit more residential because of the park. You don't have tourists wandering by your front door quite as much as you do closer to the mall.
A Note on the "Green" Features
The Sur is LEED Gold certified. For some, that’s just a plaque on the wall. For your utility bills, it actually matters. The windows are high-efficiency, meaning your AC isn't struggling against the humid Virginia summers. In a 20-story building, that stuff adds up.
Final Logistics and "Pro Tips"
If you are planning a move to 1330 S Fair St Arlington VA 22202, here is the stuff the leasing agent won't mention.
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First, the loading dock situation is a headache. Schedule your move-in for a Tuesday or Wednesday morning. Saturday is a war zone with three different moving trucks trying to squeeze into the alley.
Second, check the cell signal in the specific unit you're looking at. Because of the LEED-certified glass and the concrete, some interior units have "dead zones" for certain carriers. If you work from home, this is a dealbreaker.
Third, use the guest parking carefully. Arlington ticketing officers are the fastest in the world. They will find you.
Actionable Next Steps for Future Residents
If you’re serious about moving to this part of Arlington, don’t just take a virtual tour.
- Walk the park at 6:00 PM. See if you like the energy. It’s full of kickball leagues and dogs. If that’s too loud for you, look elsewhere.
- Visit the roof during a DCA flight. Stand on the terrace at 1330 S Fair St and see if the plane noise bothers you.
- Check the walk to the Metro. Don't trust the "0.4 miles" on the map. Walk it yourself at a normal pace to see if you're okay doing it in a suit during a rainstorm.
- Compare the "Effective Rent." Leasing offices love to offer "2 months free" on a 14-month lease. Do the math. Know what your rent will jump to in year two when that credit disappears.
Living at 1330 S Fair St Arlington VA 22202 puts you at the literal center of the "New Arlington." It's pricey, it's polished, and it's incredibly convenient. Just make sure you actually like the sound of jet engines and the sight of a thousand Patagonia vests.