It is one of four interchange points on the Metrorail system west of the Potomac River and located in a growing business district.

Due to this, planners are considering adding another station in the Rosslyn neighborhood, possibly as part of an inner loop through Washington and Arlington.

[8] An indicator sign at the south end of the station flashes to inform passengers of the arriving train's destination, showing Orange for Vienna, Blue for Franconia-Springfield, and Silver for Ashburn.

The station's depth also takes advantage of the strength and watertightness of the bedrock 40 feet (12 m) below the surface.

[15] Its opening coincided with the completion of 11.8 miles (19.0 km)[16] of rail between National Airport and RFK Stadium and the opening of the Arlington Cemetery, Capitol South, Crystal City, Eastern Market, Farragut West, Federal Center SW, Federal Triangle, Foggy Bottom–GWU, L'Enfant Plaza, McPherson Square, National Airport, Pentagon, Pentagon City, Potomac Avenue, Smithsonian and Stadium–Armory stations.

[18] A new bank of three high-speed elevators and an expanded mezzanine opened officially on October 7, 2013.