In the mid-1970s, a third subterranean shopping venue was built that connected into the existing Crystal Mall Shops. The first tenants in the Crystal Underground shopping village commenced operation in June 1976. An official dedication was held in October.
Graphic from the Charles E. Smith Companies
Crystal Underground storefronts were done in an old timey, 1920s motif.
Drawing from the Charles E. Smith Companies
The "Jefferson Davis Corridor" stretched along the Jefferson Davis (now Richmond) Highway. The first office towers were built on the Crystal Plaza superblock, at the south end of the 76-acre Crystal City site. Development advanced to the north and southeast, with the final "Crystal" superblocks finished in the late 1980s. Superblocks with underground shopping concourses are indicated in dark blue.
The DC Metro initiated service on a 12-route-mile stretch of subway in July 1977. Crystal City Station, seen here, was one of eighteen stops on the initial Blue Line route. In April 1983, the Metro Yellow Line was dedicated, which also serviced the Crystal City stop.
Photo from Wikipedia / Ben Schumin
A skylighted court area in the subterranean Crystal Plaza Shops. This snapshot was taken in 1986.
A circa-1986 view of the Crystal Mall superblock and South Bell Street. The Crystal City Marriott hotel is seen on the left.
Crystal Underground had been given a face lift by the time this 1990s snapshot was taken.
Photo from https://www.arlnow.com/ "JBGS"