Archive for April, 2008
Security is Rolling Along at Washington’s Dulles International Airport
April 24th, 2008 Categories: Alexandria
My brother-in-law was on his way to Kuwait yesterday for his third tour of duty as a civilian medic/teacher/VIP security detail nurse so we made a quick trip out to Dulles International Airport
to catch him between flights. About 26 miles west of Alexandria, Dulles sits on 10,000 acres of land and was designed by renowned architect Eero Saarinen.
What immediately caught my eye as we got into the terminal were the airport police who were using Segway’s to get around this giant transportation hub. I was able to snag one of the rolling wonders on traffic duty - a fluid vision of balance and dexterity.
Dulles was the first airport in this country to be designed specifically for commercial jets and was hailed for its innovative mobile lounges when it opened in November 1962.
With 127 destinations, 40 of which are international, Dulles served over 23 million visitors last year and has just undergone a major expansion.
As close as we are to Washington’s Reagan National Airport, for nonstop coast to coast and international flights, Dulles is our first choice.
Ummmmmmmm, with gas prices continuing to soar, wonder how that Segway would work around the neighborhood?
Thanks for stopping by,
Michael
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Six Old Town Homes Featured on Historic Garden Week Tour in Alexandria
April 19th, 2008 Categories: Alexandria, Old Town
Six Old Town homes were open to the public today for the beginning of Historic Garden Week in Virginia. During the April 19-27 festivities, visitors across the Commonwealth will step through the gates of more than 250 of Virginia’ s most beautiful gardens, homes and historic landmarks. Three dozen separate tours will present a rich mosaic of formal gardens, walled gardens, cottage gardens, cutting gardens, water gardens, and even secret gardens. Visitors interested in architecture and interior decorating will have the opportunity to see renovated historic properties as well as contemporary residences. (Photography is NOT permitted in private houses and gardens.)
300 South Lee Street sits on land once used as a storage yard for lumber for James Green’s ‘Cabinet Manufactory’ dating to 1934. The two story building now occupying the space dates from 1885. In 1997 the present owners completed a renovation that included an excavation to provide basement living space under the entire length of the house. Prominently on display are an 18th century English desk, a 19th century map of New Orleans, and a framed $100 bill from the Bank of Louisiana dated 1862. A 19 century cigar-store woodcarving of George Washington marks the point where the original house ended. Mr. and Mrs. Brian B. Gibney, owners.
210 Duke Street is a classic home built in 1787 for Dr. James Craik, George Washington’s Revolutionary War private secretary and physician, and is now know simply as “Craik House.” Dr. Craik used the front two rooms of the house for his medical practice; he is buried in the Old Presbyterian Meeting House yard on South Fairfax. After Craik’s death, the building was used as a school and boarding house before being purchased by the Thompson family in 1943.
The Thompson’s also acquired the adjacent frame flounder house at 208 Duke Street and united the two buildings in 1946. Purchased by the present owners, Mr. and Mrs. Dennis J. Garcia, in 2004, the house and garden have been carefully restored. The garden in particular reflects 18th century design and features marble steps salvaged from Blair House during a mid-20th century remodeling. Read the rest of this entry »
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Old Town Greens/Potomac Greens - Neighborhoods That Are Not What They Seem and Just Where You May Want to Be.
April 18th, 2008 Categories: Old Town Greens/Potomac Greens, Real Estate News
Ten years ago when developers were planning Old Town Greens, a mix of 145 townhomes and 128 stacked townhouses at the very southern end of Potomac Yards, they envisioned a community that would entice singles and two-income adult families. And why not? Washington was one stop light away on the George Washington Parkway, Reagan National Airport was a 10 minute cab ride, shops, and dining were just blocks away in Old Town and Del Ray. Convenience and location were key words.
Additional amenities and improved transportation options have added to the convenience of this area but the demographic has changed. In the first four years after the development welcomed its initial home owners, a baby boom swept the community and the under-five population went from three to well over 60. Six years later, babies are still an integral part of all planning.
Located between Jeff Davis Highway (Rt. 1) on the west and the George Washington Parkway on the east, the “Greens” are an unlikely isle of serenity in what will eventually be a highly developed mixed use area. There are only two entrances into the complex and numerous, wide, one way streets help control traffic. As one long time resident and former association president, noted, “Nobody comes in here unless they live here or are visiting.
The recent addition of Potomac Plaza, home to Zagat rated Rustico and Buzz, as well as the Russian Gourmet shop, a Tropical Smoothie Cafe, the Jon Ric Salon and Spa, dress shop Periwinkle, a dry cleaner and children’s clothing store, brings walkable amenities - and creates yet another buffer between residents and Slater’s Lane, a main thoroughfare between Rt. 1 and the George Washington Parkway.
The second development, Potomac Greens, opened its first buildings in 2005 and when it is completed later this year will add almost 200 new townhomes to the area.
Small but important changes reflect the number of under-five residents - a volley ball court (originally intended for young singles) was turned into a playground although the tennis courts still remain. Bike and walking trails have been created through the wetlands that are an important part of this land tract. A pedestrian foot bridge to connect with a still to be developed retail area is in the planning stages . There is a children’s Halloween parade and a Fourth of July party. The pools (one in each community) are “big happy places” and a beehive of activity during the summer months.
And my favorite - the last four hours of the pool season (generally the weekend after Labor Day) are devoted to neighborhood dogs - swimming, retrieving, playing, diving, etc. One father, just back from a long and not inexpensive trip to Great Wolf Lodge in Williamsburg, noted that for sheer entertainment value, “dogs in the pool” was better than anything he, or his still in diapers toddler, had seen. Simple pleasures indeed.
Stability seems to be a key word here. Only ten homes were sold in the past 12 months in Potomac Greens and prices ranged from a low of $655,000 to a high of $1.1 million for an end unit. The nine homes currently on the market have an average asking price of $844,000. Two, three and four bedroom units run from almost 1700 sq. ft. in size to just over 3400 sq. ft.
Old Town Greens saw 19 sales in the same time period with an average price of $581,505. Four active listings with an average price tag of $753,375 include a two bedroom at 1,216 sq. ft. and a four bedroom unit with 3,122 sq. ft.
If you want to know more about this community or are interested in seeing any of these properties, please call me at 703.927.4554.
Thanks for stopping by,
Michael
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