The Exchange at Van Dorn is a condominium community located in the Eisenhower Valley inside the Beltway between the Eisenhower Metro and the Van Dorn Metro. The community is near the Eisenhower Connector a short road that connects Eisenhower Avenue to I-495. Between the Eisenhower Connector and Van Dorn, the Exchange has easy access to the Beltway. Van Dorn also provides relatively easy access to I-395. The community is a long walk to the Van Dorn Metro, but the community boasts a free shuttle to the metro.

The buildings themselves are fairly new, most being built in the last 5 years or so. These are garden style condos of brick and siding. There are three floors and elevators on the parking side of the building. The community has a parking garage with plenty of resident parking, but a limited amount of visitor parking.

Most units here have nice carpeting but many have wood floors in the living and kitchen areas. The kitchens are nice and modern, but most are not luxury level. Black appliances are common. Most units have Formica countertops.

The Exchange amenities are found in the building closest to the entrance. There you will find a very nice business center, party room and media room. There is a basketball court here if you want to shoot a few hoops. The fitness room is modern and well-kept. The condominium offices are found in this building. Behind this building is the pool of the Exchange. Click Exchange at Van Dorn to view listings and prices of homes for sale near Exchange at Van Dorn.

Alexandria VA is home to the US District Court Eastern District of Virginia. The Albert V. Bryan U.S. Courthouse is located near Carlyle Towers at 401 Courthouse Square, Alexandria, VA 22314. The Albert V. Bryan Courthouse is open 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday. The Clerk's Office is open from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday.

This courthouse has seen many notable cases:

• United States v. Jefferson (Congressman with mony in the freezer)
• United States v. Vick (Football player with dog fighting)
• United States v. Zacarias Moussaoui (terrorist)

And others such as

• United States v. Masoud Khan, et. al.
• United States v. Jay Lentz
• United States v. John Walker Lindh
• Yaser Hamdi v. Donald Rumsfeld

The courthouse is located directly across the street from the Trademark Bar and Carlyle Towers.

The Eisenhower Metro stop is located at 2400 Eisenhower Avenue. It is across the street from the Hoffman Town Center and entertainment complex. Eisenhower station is just inside the Capital Beltway (I-495) at the Telegraph Road exit. The Eisenhower Metro is served by the Yellow Line.

Eisenhower is a two platform station. Access to both platforms is provided to two escalators and an elevator. Bike parking is available with 10 bike racks and 6 lockers in the station.

The first train departs at 4:51 am Huntington and the last train departs at 12:37 am Huntington. Service became available to the public on December, 17, 1983. The REX bus provides service nearby at the corner of Swamp Fox Rd. and Eisenhower. Eisenhower is served by DASH buses 2, 6, & 7.

Metrorail fares are posted on the WMATA site. Fares are discounted for children and seniors.

The Eisenhower Metro serves the Carlyle District and is convenient for workers at businesses in and around the Hoffman Center. The Eisenhower Metro is also useful for many residents in the condos of the Carlyle District. For some residents, the Eisenhower Metro is more convenient than the King St. Metro.

The Eisenhower Metro is in the 22314 zip code, which is generally considered Old Town Alexandria, but there is very little that is "old" anywhere near this stop in the Carlyle District.  The Carlyle Towers and several other new structures dominate the skyline here. For more information about Carlyle Towers, or the condos of the Carlyle District, please contact Will Nesbitt of Condo 1 Alexandria at 703 765 0300.

About the Author --- Will Nesbitt is the principal broker of Will Nesbitt Realty and maintains Condo 1 Alexandria. Will specializes in condos, townhouses and single family residences in Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax County, Crystal City, and Kingstowne. Will resides in Belle Haven Estates just outside Alexandria VA in Fairfax County.

The Eisenhower Metro is central to many folks who make their home in and near the Carlyle District. The Eisenhower Metro is located inside the Beltway near Carlyle Towers and the Hoffman Center.

The pride of the Hoffman Center is the AMC Hoffman Theater. AMC Hoffman 22 is a 22-screen theater making it the largest movie complex in Northern Virginia and second largest in the region. Built in 2001, it is a relatively new theater. There ATM machines for purchasing tickets and advance ticket pickup. Ten of the screens are on the first floor with a very large lobby leading to a escalator or elevator to the second floor with 12 more screens. Two of theaters seat 410, and three others seat 318.

There are a number of restaurants and shops at the Hoffman Center. Among these are:

• Ted's Montana Steakhouse -- Bison, buffalo and good old American fare. This is one of my personal favorites.
• Ruby Tuesdays -- More than just a burger
• San Antonio Bar & Grill -- Tex-Mex food, busy bar scene
• Cold Stone Creamery -- hand-mixed premium ice cream
• California Tortilla -- A great little taco joint
• Bread & Chocolate -- Bread & Chocolate serves up pastries, gourmet desserts and sandwiches along with coffee and other drinks.
• Galae Thai --- Thai cuisine
• Delia's --- The newest addition to the Hoffman Center.

Delia's is a Mediterrean / Greek cafe that has been generally well-recieved by Eisenhower locals.

There is paid parking available in the garage next door and surface parking available for free. At night and on the weekends. when the offices of the Hoffman Center are closed, there is additional surface parking available for free.

About the Author --- Will Nesbitt is the principal broker of Will Nesbitt Realty and maintains Condo 1 Alexandria. Will specializes in condos, townhouses and single family residences in Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax County, Crystal City, and Kingstowne. Will resides in Belle Haven Estates just outside Alexandria VA in Fairfax County.

New to the Area?

This is an update on an old article I put together for people who are brand new to Northern Virginia. Because of the many employment opportunities and because of the pleasant nature of the city of Alexandria, Alexandria often and consistently rates as one of the nation's best cities. If you're brand new to the area, it's hard to know where to start when looking for a home or residence. There are TOO MANY CHOICES.

Before you can find your house you have to find your neighborhood. Before you find your neighborhood you have to find your way around the city. For this reason, a quick description of the components of Alexandria is helpful.

Old Town

Old Town (sometimes called Olde Town, Old Towne or Olde Towne) is the heart of Alexandria. As the name implies, Old Town is the oldest part of the city. Alexandria was a port in colonial times owing to its location along the Potomac. These days Old Town is found just inside the Woodrow Wilson Bridge and then north toward Reagan National Airport. Old Town is served by the King St. Metro and the King St. trolley. With over 100 restaurants, shops, boutiques, coffee shops, ice cream houses and more, Old Town has both a small town, upscale and touristy feel. For most folks there is a bit of prestige attached to an Old Town address. There are two high rises near the waterfront at the Alexandria House and Port Royal. Old Town Alexandria has many townhouses, row houses and a smaller number single family homes. Click Old Town to search listings of properties in Old Town Alexandria.

Del Ray

Although its history doesn't stretch to the colonial days, Del Ray is another relatively old neighborhood. Del Ray was founded in 1894 as a "streetcar suburb" to Washington, DC. Most of Del Ray was built from the 1890's to the 1950's and retains that small town charm despite being so close to the center of the universe. Quaint streets with brick or stone homes are found on streets that branch off from Del Ray's arteries.

At the heart of Del Ray is the main street: Mount Vernon Avenue. This where you'll find a hometown mix of shops, restaurants and hardware stores. Braddock Road metro serves Del Ray and condos such as Colecroft Station are available here.

Click Del Ray for a map of Del Ray and for listings of properties for sale in Del Ray. Or, click Del Ray for listings for sale in the Del Ray subdivision of Alexandria.

Arlandria

As the name implies, Arlandria at the border of Alexandria City and Arlington County. Arlandia is just north of Del Ray at terminus of Mount Vernon Avenue. Some residents also call this neighborhood Chirilagua. Arlandia has many small shops and restaurants.

Click Arlandria for a map of the general area and to search properties listed for sale in Arlandria.

Eisenhower Valley

The Eisenhower Valley describes the area found along Eisenhower Avenue. At the western end of Eisenhower Avenue one will find warehouses and businesses such as FedEx and UPS who appreciate easy access to the Interstate. Click Eisenhower West to search property at the west end of Eisenhower, near the Van Dorn Metro station.

On the east end, where Eisenhower Avenue approaches Old Town, you'll find the United States Patent & Trade Office and the high-end high-rise neighborhood of the Carlyle District. The USPTO is a complex of five buildings that accommodate more than 7,000 federal employees. Residents of the Carlyle District have easy access to the Hoffman Town Center at the Eisenhower Metro. The Carlyle District is an intriguing place to live because it's so close to the charm and amenities of Old Town, but is new and modern. Click Eisenhower East to find properties listed for sale here.

West End

Like the Eisenhower Valley, the West End of Alexandria is a mixed bag. Condos and high rises abound in "Condo Canyon" near Landmark and Lincolnia. But development from the 1950's and 1960's is also found tucked on side streets and around unexpected corners. The homes around and near Seminary Road are regarded by many as stately and highly desirable. Another interesting neighborhood in the West End is Cameron Station. Cameron Station is a newer development of townhouses and condos, but the stylings and architecture imitate the best of Old Town. Cameron Station is relatively close to both Landmark Mall and Old Town.

The West End is well connected to Washington DC via I-395. The West End is the newest and largest part of the city. The West End has a diverse selection of restaurants and shops as well as Landmark Mall and several fine hotels. Fort Ward Park and Museum is found in the West End of Alexandria.

Click West End for a glance at what's for sale and to see a map of the West End.

About the Author --- Will Nesbitt is the principal broker of Condo 1 Alexandria and Will Nesbitt Realty. Will specializes in condos, townhouses and single family residences in Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax County, Crystal City, and Kingstowne. Will resides in Belle Haven Estates just outside Alexandria VA in Fairfax County.

The Eisenhower Valley describes the area found along Eisenhower Avenue. At the western end of Eisenhower Avenue one will find warehouses and businesses such as FedEx and UPS who appreciate easy access to the Interstate. But as Eisenhower Avenue approaches Old Town, you'll find the United States Patent & Trade Office and the high-end high-rise neighborhood of the Carlyle District. The USPTO is a complex of five buildings that accommodate more than 7,000 federal employees. Residents of the Carlyle District have easy access to the Hoffman Town Center at the Eisenhower Metro. The Carlyle District is an intriguing place to live because it's so close to the charm and amenities of Old Town, but is new and modern.

The Exchange at Van Dorn is found on Eisenhower Avenue between the Eisenhower Connector and the Van Dorn Metro. Residents can walk to the Van Dorn Metro in about 5 to 10 minutes. The Exchange operates a private shuttle and the DASH bus stops at the front door. The Exchange has a large well-maintained garage with controlled access. The Exchange has 404 units in four-story condominium buildings. Most buildings at the Exchange have elevators.

The clubhouse at the Exchange has an elegant lobby that features a dramatic spiral staircase and ceiling that rises several floors above the lobby. The clubhouse allows 24-hour access for residents to the fitness center and cardio theater. The clubhouse also has a business center and party rooms. The billiards room is at your service and the gymnasium has an indoor basketball court.

Outside, the Exchange has a swimming pool and sundeck. A sand volleyball court is available for residents and children will enjoy the playground. The Exchange is pet friendly and is nicely landscaped.

The Exchange has an unusual variety of floor plans, ranging from 593 sqft to 1284 sqft in various combinations of one to two bedrooms with single or multiple baths. Units feature nine-foot ceilings.The Roosevelt floor plan is a one-bedroom, one-bath design, yet there’s nothing cramped or modest about its layout. It has an entry foyer, private laundry room with full-size appliances, and a roomy living area that flows into an equally spacious dining room. The kitchen has an open corner with a breakfast bar and even a pantry. The Eisenhower design has the same kind of thoughtful design in a two-bedroom, two-bath arrangement, and even includes a den area that would make a perfect home office or library.

Many units have gas fireplaces and most have garden-style soaking tubs. The kitchens feature newer and upscale appliances with built-in microwaves. Units have bold crown molding and upgraded lighting to highlight the modern designs and floorplans of the Exchange. All units have a full-size washer and dryer, walk-in closets, high-speed internet access and balconies.