August, 2008:
Abingdon Row — Brand New in Old Town
Old Town is known for its 18th-Century buildings and colonial architecture. Abingdon Row fits nicely into the look and feel of Old Town. Abingdon Row is newly constructed, but the design takes its cues from the historical architectural details that are common to Old Town’s 18th century spirit. The columns and pilasters of Abingdon Row together with
the arched windows and iron-railed terraces are all tied together by stately brickwork.
Abingdon Row is at the north end of Old Town. It’s a place a few blocks off the main drag, so traffic there is little cut-through traffic. These condos are just a few blocks from the waterfront, Oronoco Bay Park and Founders Park. The development promises (and mostly delivers) luxurious high-end condos in the heart of Old Town, Alexandria.
Abingdon Row was built by a family-owned real estate development company that specializes in innovative infill residential development. Before Abingdon Row, the Holladay Corporation had already built over 16,000 homes—including single-family residences, townhomes, condominiums, and apartments. An on-site visitor will quickly notice the attention to detail and the craftsmanship of the builders at Abingdon Row.
The common areas have all the amenities one would expect in a luxury development and a few pleasant surprises. The building has controlled access and reserved underground parking. Most homes include storage areas. The community rooftop deck is quite pleasant, as is the courtyard at the heart of the property.
The kitchens feature granite countertops, maple cabinetry and stainless steel appliances. A 30″ gas range will delight the gourmet chef in your family. There are hardwood floods in the kitchen and on into the living room, dining room, foyer and kitchen. 9′ Ceilings in Living Areas impart a sense of grandeur to the feel of the unit. Details such as recessed lighting, and fine two panel interior doors compliment the architectural styling that is Old Town, yet modern.
Each unit has its own high efficiency electric heat and air conditioning systems as well as a full sized washer and dryer. Selected homes have balconies, patios and rooftop decks.
Units vary in price based upon the number of bedrooms and upgrades and features such as the balconies. The builder has a sales office on-site, but buyers have the right to select their own representation. Will Nesbitt of Condo Alexandria specializes in condos in Alexandria, Arlington, Falls Church and Fairfax County.
- For sale — Live data on all condos for sale in 22314 zip code.
Why I like the Yellow Line
I am one of the few people who are from here who are actually from
here. That is to say I was born in Fairfax and have lived much of my
life in Northern Virginia.
When I got out of the Army and moved back from Northern Virginia,
for a time I worked as a government contractor at the Department of
Housing and Urban Development, which is located at L’Enfant Plaza in
Washington DC. As you may know, parking is pricey and limited at
L’Enfant, so the Metro was my best choice for commuting.
Originally, I lived out in the exburbs and would drive the Vienna
Metro Station at the end of the Orange Line and then ride the Orange
Line to L’Enfant Plaza. It was a long and tiresome commute and I knew I
had to move in closer. So I resolved to buy a home much closer to the
Metro.
That’s when reality hit my budget. Yes, I could afford housing near
the Vienna Metro, but what I could afford was not up to the standard of
what I really wanted to buy. I found the same, very high prices, all
along the Orange Line. But I also had an epiphany as I was jostling to
work today. I suddenly realized that it’s not how far you ride on the Metro, it’s how many stops you make. The Orange Line seemed to stop every three blocks. But the Yellow Line and the Blue Line …
Well, both of these lines cruise quickly out of DC and then into Old Town. I found that the housing at the end of the Yellow Line
fit my budget and my expectations quite nicely. So that’s where I
bought and bought and again and remain to this day. Since that time, Old Town, especially in the Carlyle District,
has grown up quite a bit, but around Huntington and the neighborhoods
of New Alexandria, one can still find neighborhoods that fit the budget
and fill the bill quite nicely. I think there are also a lot of great
neighborhoods off the Blue Line, but my personal preference is to be a
little closer to the city.
Why I like the Yellow Line
Escalator entrance
I am one of the few people who are from here who are actually from here. That is to say I was born in Fairfax and have lived much of my life in Northern Virginia.
When I got out of the Army and moved back to Northern Virginia, for a time I worked as a government contractor at the Department of Housing and Urban Development, which is located at L’Enfant Plaza in Washington DC. As you may know, parking is pricey and limited at L’Enfant, so the Metro was my best choice for commuting.
Originally, I lived out in the exburbs and would drive the Vienna Metro Station at the end of the Orange Line and then ride the Orange Line to L’Enfant Plaza. It was a long and tiresome commute, and I knew I had to move in closer. So I resolved to buy a home much closer to the Metro.
That’s when reality hit my budget. Yes, I could afford housing near the Vienna Metro, but what I could afford was not up to the standard of what I really wanted to buy. I found the same, very high prices, all along the Orange Line. But I also had an epiphany as I was jostling to work today. I suddenly realized that it’s not how far you ride on the Metro, it’s how many stops you make. The Orange Line seemed to stop every three blocks. But the Yellow Line and the Blue Line …
Well, both of these lines cruise quickly out of DC and then into Old Town. I found that the housing at the end of the Yellow Line fit my budget and my expectations quite nicely. So that’s where I bought and bought and again and remain to this day. Since that time, Old Town, especially in the Carlyle District, has grown up quite a bit, but around Huntington and the neighborhoods of New Alexandria, one can still find neighborhoods that fit the budget and fill the bill quite nicely. I think there are also a lot of great neighborhoods off the Blue Line, but my personal preference is to be a little closer to the city.
Will Nesbitt
Will Nesbitt is the principal broker of Condo Alexandria.
Property Management 101
Property management is a business in and of itself. If you want to invest in real estate, but you don’t want to be a property manager, the solution is really quite simple: employ the services of Condo Alexandria. Our property managers are experienced individuals who will manage the day-to-day operations of your property. We manage residential properties, multi-family properties and even homeowners and condo associations.
A big value-add provided by your Condo Alexandria property manager is “separation”. This to say, your Condo Alexandria property manager maintains a level of separation between the landlord and the tenants and the property. As you may already know, it’s important to invest in real estate without emotionally investing in tenants or property. Your Condo Alexandria property manager helps ensure that you always make the best decision for your family, rather than making the best decision for the tenant’s family.
So, your Condo Alexandria rental property manager serves as a buffer between the owner and his tenants. Condo Alexandria can help you find tenants, handling repair projects and maintenance, oversee improvements, collect rent, and even pay some expenses and taxes. The specific tasks we handle vary based upon upon the needs and wishes of the property owner.
Condo Alexandria Property Management also handles commercial properties such as office buildings, freeing the owners from the day to day responsibilities. Additionally, a competent Condo Alexandria property manager gives you protection from certain liabilities.
Condo Alexandria usually charges a percentage of the rents collected. Every aspect of Condo Alexandria property manager’s responsibilities will be outlined in a contract signed by both Condo Alexandria and the landlord. This agreement details financial responsibilities and specifies the types of financial reports the landlord can expect.
Your Condo Alexandria property manager will stay current on new laws and condo regulations which may be relevant to your situation. Condo Alexandria Property Management takes a lot of the burden off of owning rental real estate. Most Condo Alexandria property managers are themselves landlords. They know your needs.
Place One condo association information
Carlyle House — War of 1812 Re-enactment
Historic Carlyle House in Old Town Alexandria
The War of 1812 Re-enactment will take place at the Carlyle House Historic Park on 121 N. Fairfax Street in Old Town Alexandria on Saturday August 23rd, 10am-4pm.
On 1814, Alexandria surrendered to the British Royal Navy, commanded by James Gordon, and was forced into paying a ransom of flour, cotton, tobacco, rum, and sugar. The capture of the city allowed the British to burn public buildings and led to the fleeing of the government and President James Madison.
The Carlyle House, a fixture in Old Town is a wonderful venue for such an event, with over 250 years of history. Many Alexandria newcomers are unaware that the Carlyle District, home to the condos of Carlyle Towers at King St. Metro is named after this estate.
For more information about condos in Alexandria or condominiums near Alexandria contact Condo Alexandria.
Beach Party at the Torpedo Factory
Everyone is welcome for a beach party at Torpedo Factory Art Center, 105 Union St. Alexandria, VA on Friday August 22nd, 6-9pm with free admission.
There will be plenty of food at the Hard Times Café, Alex’s lemonade
Stand and entertainment for your pleasure such as Guitar Hero, or try
your skills with a hula hoop.
Also in attendance will be the UMW Breakers demonstrating their
skills as they challenge each other in a breakdancing battle. They have
a sneak preview performance on the Second Thursday Art Night August
14th.
Across the street from the Torpedo Factory Art Center are the
Torpedo Factory Condos. For information about these residences in Old
Town Alexandria, contact Will Nesbitt with Condo Alexandria.
Beach Party at the Torpedo Factory
Everyone is welcome to a beach party at the Torpedo Factory Art Center, 105 Union St. Alexandria, VA on Friday August 22nd, 6-9pm with free admission.
There will be plenty of food at the Hard Times Café, Alex’s lemonade Stand and entertainment for your pleasure such as Guitar Hero, or try your skills with a hula hoop.
Also in attendance will be the UMW Breakers demonstrating their skills as they challenge each other in a breakdancing battle. They have a sneak preview performance on the Second Thursday Art Night August 14th.
Across the street from the Torpedo Factory Art Center are the Torpedo Factory Condos. For information about these residences in Old Town Alexandria, contact Will Nesbitt with Condo Alexandria.
Competitive Ballroom Dancing
The Capital Dance Sport Championships
is an event for dance lovers of all ages located at the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center 5000 Seminary Road, August 21st-23rd, 8am-Midnight. The Hilton Alexandria Mark Center will provide a great platform to showcase some of the nations top dancers with highly skilled performances (professionals and amateurs) in preparations for the up coming U.S. Championships. Ticket prices range from $20-$60, tickets are cheaper if they are purchased in advance then at that door.
Those in attendance will have the pleasure of seeing four styles of dance which include International Latin, International Standard, American Rhythm, and American Smooth.
Dancing with the stars has really brought a lot of welcomed attention to this once very popular activity. It’s great exercise, a lot of fun and a chance to make new friend. Those who are interested in ballroom dancing may want to take classes, at the Arthur Murray Dance Center in Alexandria VA
Competitive Ballroom Dancing
The Capital Dance Sport Championships is an event for dance lovers of all ages to take place at the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center, 5000 Seminary Road, August 21st-23rd, 8am-Midnight. The Hilton Alexandria Mark Center will provide a great platform to showcase some of the nations top dancers with highly skilled performances (professionals and amateurs) in preparation for the upcoming U.S. Championships. Ticket prices range from $20-$60; tickets are cheaper if they are purchased in advance rather than at that door.
Those in attendance will have the pleasure of seeing four styles of dance, which include International Latin, International Standard, American Rhythm, and American Smooth.
Dancing with the Stars has really brought a lot of welcomed attention to this once very popular activity. It’s great exercise, a lot of fun and a chance to make new friends. Those who are interested in ballroom dancing may want to take classes at the Arthur Murray Dance Center in Alexandria VA.
