Twenty years ago this month, the inaugural issue of Northern Virginia Magazine hit newsstands across the region.
Around that time, residents in the area were beginning to shift from telling people that they lived “outside of DC” to saying they were from Northern Virginia. NoVA was developing its identity and becoming a destination in its own right — and it deserved its own magazine.
Those of us who have lived here throughout the last two decades have seen exponential change. Entire skylines have grown in Tysons, Reston, and the area of Arlington now known as National Landing. NoVA has earned the nickname “Silicon Valley of the East,” adding Amazon HQ2 and hundreds of data centers, to the glee of some and chagrin of others. Both UVA and Virginia Tech have opened new campuses here. Metro’s Silver Line opened and expanded, connecting Fairfax and Loudoun counties to DC.
Development has also expanded where we eat, shop, and play. Northern Virginia is now home to dozens of wineries, breweries, distilleries, and chef-driven restaurants. Additional shopping areas have been added in Tysons and Reston, and new mixed-use areas include the Mosaic District in Fairfax and One Loudoun in Ashburn. Expanded entertainment options include Capital One Hall in Tysons and the Hylton Performing Arts Center in Manassas.
There’s no denying that Northern Virginia has grown up in the last two decades. And Northern Virginia Magazine has grown with it — in print as well as in the daily digital-only stories posted on our website and on our social media platforms, where our videos help bring stories to life in new ways.
It’s difficult to predict what the next two decades might bring, but we know this: We will continue to cover it all and to introduce you to the people and places shaping the part of the
commonwealth we call home.
This story originally ran in our February issue. For more stories like this, subscribe to Northern Virginia Magazine.
