Will's Blog

Are you shopping for a newly built home, townhome or condominium? We've assemble these resources to make your search easier. In the links below we focus on homes that have been built after 2004. Some of these communities and homes are so new they are still under construction! In addition, we've highlighted a few specific neighborhoods and condominium developments that "feel new" to us, even if they aren't new.

• Alexandria
• Abingdon Row
• Braddock Place
• Cameron Station
• Carlyle Square
• Carlyle Towers
• Chatham Square
• Colecroft
• the Duke at Old Town
• Exchange at Van Dorn
• Ford's Landing
• Liberty Row
• Northampton
• Palazzo at Center Park
• Pointe at Park Center
• Prescott
• Arlington
• Bella Vista
• Eclipse at Center Park
• West Village at Shirlington
• Falls Church
• Westlee
• Fairfax County
• Carrdinal Place
• Eton Square
• Founder's Walk
• Halstead at the Metro
• Island Creek
• Kingstowne
• Manchester Lakes
• Midtown Alexandria Station
• Surrey at Manchester Lakes
• Sycamores at Van Dorn
• Tiers of Manchester Lakes
• Westbriar at Dunn Loring Metro
• Wilton House
• City of Fairfax

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About the Author --- Will Nesbitt is the principal broker of Condo 1 Alexandria / Will Nesbitt Realty LLC. 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.

Some folks describe Pentagon City as one of Arlington's freshest and most fashionable neighborhoods. Pentagon City is a place of shops, restaurants and homes just paces from the Pentagon. Pentagon City well known for the the Fashion Centre , a multi-floored shopping mall, but there is a lot more to this little community.

There is plenty of hourly parking for the mall and around Pentagon City, but many visitors arrive via the Pentagon City Metro station---an underground stop on the both Yellow Line and Blue Line. Exiting the underground passage to the street Pentagon City sparkles with new construction and well-kept structures.

There are crowds of busy young adults who live work and play in Pentagon City, but the broad sidewalks and open walkways never feel crowded. Pentagon City residents amble paths and walkways that traverse expanses of finely-manicured lawns and landscaping. These walkways lead to public transportation as well as many retail services.

Life in Pentagon City is centered around the Pentagon City Metro and the shops and restaurants of Pentagon Row and the Fashion Center. Together with several other retail destinations Pentagon City provides a collection of some of the best shopping and dining in Northern Virginia. Pentagon City has everything from 24-hour grocery stores to trendy restaurants and happening bars. The Fashion Center alone has more than 150 shops and restaurants with Macy's, Nordstrom's, and Abercrombie & Fitch among the favorites of the sky-lit mall's more than 150 shops and restaurants including Macy's, Nordstrom's, and Abercrombie & Fitch and many others.

Nearby Virginia Highlands Park provides a pleasant break from Pentagon City's urban lifestyle. Virginia Highlands Park offers playgrounds, basketball courts, tennis courts, baseball diamonds, footpaths, and a soccer field. Pentagon City's neighbors have some of the most desirable real estate in Northern Virginia: Crystal City, Aurora Highlands and Arlington Ridge Road. 

To see a map of Pentagon City and homes for sale in Pentagon City click Pentagon City.

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About the Author --- Will Nesbitt is the principal broker of Condo 1 Alexandria / Will Nesbitt Realty LLC. 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.

Kingstowne Center for Active Adults is one of 16 programs for senior adults operated by the Fairfax County Department of Community and Recreation to serve Fairfax County residents ages 55 years or older. The center is a place for people to have fun, meet new friends, and expand their horizons by discovering new ways to work, new things to do, and new goals to pursue.

There is no charge for admission and participants have the opportunity to choose from a wide spectrum of activities. As older adults move forward to the third chapter of their lives, the Kingstowne Center provides leisure opportunities to enhance and promote an active and healthy lifestyle, well-being, and lifelong learning of adults. Programs and activities are tailored to meet the needs of the participants, and reflect current issues that that active adults are facing, but programs typically offered include:

• health, wellness and fitness programs;
• financial planning;
• cooking classes;
• arts and crafts classes;
• Tai Chi, yoga, and dancing;
• computer internet access;
• trips and tours, and;
• other opportunities to socialize and stay connected to your community.

The Kingstowne Center for Active Adults is located at 6488 Landsdowne Center in Alexandria VA. Transportation may be available by Fastran bus at a nominal charge. For more information about the center, please call 703-550-0134, TTY 711. If you're thinking of downsizing or looking for a home near Kingstowne or Franconia you may find these links useful:

• Carrdinal Place
• Eton Square
• Exchange at Van Dorn
• Founder's Walk
• Founder's Hill
• Island Creek
• Kingstowne
• Manchester Lakes
• Rose Hill
• Springfield
• Sycamores at Van Dorn
• Tiers of Manchester Lakes
• Van Dorn Metro
• Victoria Crossings

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About the Author --- Will Nesbitt is the principal broker of Condo 1 Alexandria / Will Nesbitt Realty LLC. 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 King St. Metro is located at the foot of Shooter's Hill at the point where King St. leaves Old Town Alexandria. The George Washington Masonic Memorial sits atop Shooter's Hill overlooking the city. From the Memorial, and from the Metro, one can look down King St. toward the Potomac.This metro station has 30 short-term metered parking spaces and ample bike racks. Car Sharing is available at King St. Metro.

King Street is famous for unique shops, boutiques, restaurants, nightclubs and lots of activities. The area has some of the shops you would expect in an upscale mall, but many of shops and restaurants you'll find only here. Old Town Alexandria has more than 4,000 historic buildings, outstanding examples of early American architecture that now house small businesses and gracious homes, all waiting to give you a modern welcome. Old Town is characterized by brick sidewalks that line historic structures. Elegant modern structures are carefully planned to fit with the feel of Old Town.

Real Estate in Old Town is generally pricey and prestigious. Parking can be a bit of a hassle, especially in touristy areas along King St. Therefore, a great way to explore the area is to take the Metro to King St. and then hop a ride on the King St. Trolley.

Old Town is a great place to live with historic properties, condominiums, garden-style condos, townhouses and houses. Check here to search available property:

• For sale --- Live data on all condos for sale in Old Town (22314) zip code. 
• Near King St. Metro --- Check out this link for suggestions near the King St. Metro
• Carlyle Old Town --- Check this site out if you're think of living in the Carlyle District or in Old Town.

Communities near the King St. Metro:

• King St. Metro --- Properties for sale near King St. Metro Stop
• Carlyle District --- condos, houses and townhouses for sale in the Carlyle District
• Carlyle Towers --- spacious condos with balconies and views of Alexandria and the Potomac
• Carlyle Square --- condominiums in the Carlyle District near USPTO
• The Duke at Old Town --- New condos that mirror the stylings of Old Town Alexandria
• Fort Ellsworth --- garden style condos in the shadow of the Masonic Memorial
• 1600 Prince --- condos near King St. Metro
• Royalton --- new condos on Duke St. near King St. Station
• Seminary Walk --- Garden-style condos in Alexandria's West End
• Torpedo Factory --- condos near King St. and the Potomac waterfront in Old Town Alexandria

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About the Author --- Will Nesbitt is the principal broker of Condo 1 Alexandria / Will Nesbitt Realty LLC. 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.

Here's my new "big picture for my blog".  I think it's a hoot.  Hopefully you'll get a laugh out of it too!

It's me standing on a map of Northern Virginia!  My right foot points to most of my business.  My left foot is not licensed because it's in DC.  I'm standing on Arlington and I wanted to make sure you could see part of the outline of DC behind me.

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About the Author --- Will Nesbitt is the principal broker of Condo 1 Alexandria / Will Nesbitt Realty LLC. 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.

Jamey Turner is one of the treasures of Old Town Alexandria. He's a master musician gifted who has showcased his talents on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. When he's in Old Town he's often spotted near the Torpedo Factory at the end of King St. He rubs his moistened fingers atop ordinary wine glasses to "find the uncommon in the common". The glass harp sounds a bit like a synthesized flute. Mr. Turner often plays music that was composed specifically for the glass harp.

If you'd like to order a CD or book Jamey for a private function check out his website at JameyTurner.com .

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About the Author --- Will Nesbitt is the principal broker of Condo 1 Alexandria / Will Nesbitt Realty LLC. 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.

Around Old Town Alexandria, parking can sometimes be a hassle, (unless you want to pay to park in a garage). But, a great way to explore Alexandria is to take the Metro to King St. and then hop a ride on the King St. Trolley. There is no charge to ride the trolley and it makes stops about every two blocks between the King St. Metro and the Potomac. The Trolley was designed to compliment service by the National Harbor's new Water Taxi. The National Harbor is located across the Potomac in Maryland and is the site of a brand new convention center. The convention center and many restaurants are already open in this brand new area landmark. Additionally boat service is available up and down river from the Strand in Old Town. The length of this circuit can be walked in about 20 minutes, so many choose to take the trolley to the Potomac and then walk back to the Metro through Old Town.

The Trolley makes it final stop before returning to the Metro near the Torpedo Factory. Just as the name implies, the Torpedo Factory was torpedo factory in the early part of the last century. Today the Torpedo Factory Art Center is a world-renowned art center with three floors of open studios and galleries. Here, one can observe artists and purchase original artwork. The Torpedo Factory Art Center is on the Potomac waterfront. Street musicians and entertainers play nearly every night weather permitting, and tourists and locals alike enjoy walks down by the waterfront.

.The trolley runs its route from 10 am to 10 pm every day. A printable map is available for those who know nothing about the area.

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About the Author --- Will Nesbitt is the principal broker of Condo 1 Alexandria / Will Nesbitt Realty LLC. 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 Torpedo Factory Art Center is located in Old Town Alexandria near the intersection of Union and King Streets just a few paces from the Potomac River. The Torpedo Factory Art Center features six galleries, over eighty artist studios, two work shops, and the Alexandria Archeology Museum. The Torpedo Factory Art Center is located on three floors for your viewing pleasure and is one of the largest art center in the entire United States.

At the Art Center you'll find over one hundred-sixty artists producing original works. This art center is also a market of sorts, where one can buy unique high quality works from all types of mediums including paintings, print making, jewelry, ceramics, stained glass, sculpture, and photography.

The Torpedo Factory Art Center has six galleries:

1. Scope Gallery (ceramics);
   
2. The Art League Gallery;
   
3. The Target Gallery;
   
4. Enamelists Gallery;
   
5. Multiple Exposures Gallery (photographs); and
   
6. Potomac Craftsmen Fiber Gallery.

The Torpedo Factory Art Center is also home to the Art League School. Classes are available for all ages (5 years old and up) but students must be at least eighteen to enroll in the adult programs.

The Torpedo Factory Art Center is at the heart of Old Town Alexandria located in the midst of the Northern Virginia's most sought after real estate. Residences here have access to the Torpedo Factory Art Center and many shops and restaurants, as well as attractions such as the Lyceum. All this is connected via the King St. Trolley to the Washington Metro system. Across the street from the Torpedo Factory Art Center is the Torpedo Factory condominium complex---luxury condos around a central courtyard.

• Torpedo Factory --- for prices, a map and information about condos for sale now at the Torpedo Factory
• Torpedo Factory Condos --- for information about the Torpedo Factory condominium community

• Where is a great place to live? — A searchable database with information about area sales and rentals
• Search Tools — Tools to search live data on area sales and rentals

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About the Author --- Will Nesbitt is the principal broker of Condo 1 Alexandria / Will Nesbitt Realty LLC. 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 Belvedere Condominium located on North Oak St. in Arlington, Virginia near the Rosslyn Metro.  The Belvedere is a European-inspired luxury condominium built by renowned developer IDI. The Belvedere has two towers connected by a central lobby. Most condos at the Belvedere have dramatic views of Washington's monuments and the Potomac River. Condominiums at the Belvedere feature glass-enclosed balconies.

The Belvedere has the following amenities:

• 24-Hour Front Desk
• 3 Hot Tubs, Saunas
• 525 Units
• Activities Room
• Built in 1989
• Convenience Store
• Elevator
• Exercise Room
• Extensive Health Club Facilities
• Extra Storage
• Library/Party Room
• Monument Views
• Outdoor Pool
• Party Room
• Rosslyn Metro - 3 Blocks
• Two Tennis Courts

Residents of the Belvedere are permitted one pet per unit. There is no weight limit on the pets. The Belvedere located at 1600 North Oak Street, Arlington, VA 22209. To take a closer look at units for listed for sale, click Belvedere.

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About the Author --- Will Nesbitt is the principal broker of Condo 1 Alexandria / Will Nesbitt Realty LLC. 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.