Arlington · VA
Penrose Homes in Arlington, VA
Cape Cods, bungalows and craftsman homes between Route 50 and Columbia Pike, next to Fort Myer and Penrose Square.
Living in Penrose
Penrose homes line the streets between Route 50 and Columbia Pike, with Joint Base Myer–Henderson Hall (Fort Myer) on the east side and South Walter Reed Drive and South Fillmore Street on the west. Arlington Heights sits just across Walter Reed.
The Penrose name comes from a stop on the old Georgetown–Nauck trolley line. For years the area went by Central Arlington, and in 1995 a citizens' initiative renamed it Penrose.
Penrose is small enough to feel like a neighborhood and close enough to be in the middle of everything. Its streets are tree-lined, Penrose Square is at the south edge, and Route 50 is at the north edge.
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How The Mike Webb Team Serves Penrose
The Mike Webb Team has helped more than 2,500 families buy and sell homes over more than 34 years, and today we are with RE/MAX Allegiance. In Penrose, what we notice first is how much the houses vary. An early 1900s bungalow, a brick colonial and a brand-new craftsman can sit on the same block, and each one needs a different plan before it goes on the market.
That plan is our job. The White Glove Home Sale Method™ covers painting, handyman repairs, caulking, staging, deep cleaning, carpet and window cleaning, power washing, landscaping, removal of unwanted items or furniture, and taking donations to the charity of your choice, at no additional cost to you. A client whose mother's house we sold put it this way: “Their suggestions for improvements turned out beautifully.” Here is how selling a Penrose home works with us.
Claudia decides what is worth doing and what is not, then runs the crews and the timeline. When offers come in, Mike and Claudia negotiate for you together. Some houses need very little done, and we will tell you when that is the case.
Penrose History & Neighborhoods Nearby
Penrose has deep roots. Around 1879, William H. Butler and Henry Louis Holmes, two community leaders who both held public office, bought land west of Fort Myer and built homes there. In 1882 the land was platted as the Butler-Holmes subdivision, and today Butler Holmes Park carries their names.
The Penrose Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2004. The neighborhood is also home to the Charles Richard Drew House on South 1st Street, a National Historic Landmark. Dr. Drew's work on storing blood plasma saved lives during World War II.
Buyers who like Penrose often look next door too. Arlington Heights shares the Columbia Pike corridor and has its own historic district. Douglas Park has a lot of new construction, and Alcova Heights and Barcroft are known for bigger lots. Which one fits is a matter of preference, and we are glad to walk you through all of them.
Penrose Homes: Market & Home Types
Penrose has a wide mix of housing. You will find early 1900s Cape Cods, brick Colonial Revivals, a few Queen Anne and Italianate houses, wood-frame bungalows, kit houses and newer craftsman-style homes. There are also duplexes and a few small apartment buildings.
Depending on the size of the house and the price point, the buyer is usually a first-time buyer or a move-up buyer, and now and then an investor. If you are weighing a rental purchase, see investment property in Penrose.
That mix matters when you sell, because a detached house and a condo are not in the same market right now. In September 2026, NVAR reported condo and townhouse listings across its Northern Virginia region up 49.7% from a year earlier, while detached listings rose only 5.7%. In ZIP code 22204, which includes Penrose, homes that sold from July through September 2026 took an average of 54 days to sell and received about 97.2% of their original list price, according to Bright MLS.
The right price for a Penrose home depends on which of those markets it is in. Ask us for a Penrose home value report built from real nearby sales.
Everyday Life in Penrose
Penrose Square, on Columbia Pike, opened in 2011 and is anchored by a Giant grocery store, with restaurants, salons and fitness studios around it. It is the place most Penrose errands start.
The neighborhood has three public parks: Penrose Park at 6th and Wayne Streets, Butler Holmes Park on South Barton Street, and Towers Park on South Scott Street. Fort Myer borders the neighborhood to the east, and Route 50 at the north edge gets you toward DC.
Penrose is served by Alice West Fleet Elementary School, then Thomas Jefferson Middle School and Wakefield High School. Boundaries change, so check the current Arlington Public Schools map for any specific house.
Ready to Talk About Your Penrose Home?
Call us whenever you start wondering what your house is worth, even if a move is years away. We will come by, look at the house with you, and give you a straight read on price and on what is worth fixing.
See our home selling process, step by step, send us a message, or call or text 703-350-3884.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Penrose in Arlington, VA?
Penrose sits between Route 50 and Columbia Pike, with Fort Myer (Joint Base Myer–Henderson Hall) to the east and South Walter Reed Drive and South Fillmore Street to the west. Arlington Heights is next door.
Where does the name Penrose come from?
From a stop on the old Georgetown–Nauck trolley line. The area was called Central Arlington for years, and a citizens' initiative renamed it Penrose in 1995.
Is Penrose a historic district?
Yes. The Penrose Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2004, and the Charles Richard Drew House in the neighborhood is a National Historic Landmark.
Which schools serve Penrose?
Penrose is served by Alice West Fleet Elementary School. Students then go on to Thomas Jefferson Middle School and Wakefield High School. Confirm any address on the current Arlington Public Schools boundary map.
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