January, 2009:
Barcroft Park and Recreational Center
Barcroft Park is 65 acres of highly-maintained family oriented recreational facilities. Barcroft supports a variety of sports and family activities. Barcroft is the home for several baseball leagues as there are 5 baseball diamonds with bleachers here. Four of these fields are for youth; one is for one adults. There is a batting cage to support the baseball community.
Barcroft has a a lighted rectangular playing field for sports like soccer, football or rugby. This field has a synthetic surface, concession stand, restrooms, and goals. Other sports are also supported by:
- a basketball court;
- two new tennis courts (opened in 2007);
- a volleyball court;
- a handball court;
- and horseshoe pit.
At this location, Barcroft Sports and Fitness Center has a gymnasium to support several indoor sports. The gymnasium has everything needed for a boxer to train. This includes a boxing room with speed and punching bags, sparring ring, and floor exercise area. The gym can also host basketball, floor hockey, and indoor soccer. Onsite, there are a variety of classes such as
- aerobics,
- boxing/kick boxing,
- and gymnastics.
For the benefit of picnickers and visitors the park has three water fountains, a rental picnic shelter, picnic tables, charcoal grills. There is also a paved path throughout the park to walk, jog or bike. That path has a bridge, and stream.
Hours for the park are sunrise to on half hour after sunset except on lighted facilities. The facilities are open Tuesday, Thursday and weekends.
4200 South Four Mile Run Drive
Arlington, VA 22204
(703) 228-0700
Park Map (PDF)
Crystal Gateway
Crystal Gateway at 1300 Crystal Drive is one of the original anchors of Crystal City, a so-called urban village in the southeastern corner of Arlington County, Virginia, just south of Washington, DC.
Constructed of cast concrete in the mid-Sixties, the condominium community comprises 17 floors and a two-story penthouse. The curvilinear Crystal Gateway adjoins Waterford House, which houses both condos and office space and fronts 12th Street. Together, the two buildings form a horseshoe embracing a landscaped courtyard and pool.
Crystal Gateway houses no more than four condominiums on each floor, with some floors having only three. They range from a two-bedroom, two-bath unit of 1,516 square feet to a three- bedroom, two-bath, one half-bath unit of 2,296 square feet to the penthouse’s four bedrooms
and three baths totaling 2,780 square feet.
Typical units boast open floor plans; wall-to-wall carpet, ceramic-tile and hardwood floors; living-room wet bars; generous closets; spacious kitchens with updated appliances, Corian countertops and breakfast nooks; washer-dryers, and marble bathrooms with two basins and a soaking tub.Expansive balconies, opening off living rooms and master bedrooms, afford panoramic views of the nearby Potomac River, the Capitol, the Washington Monument, the Kennedy Center and the distant National Cathedral.
Accessing those attractions couldn’t be easier. Crystal City is served not only by Metro’s blue and yellow lines but also by Metrobus, the Arlington Transit ART buses, and the Omnilink commuter buses; the Metro station is also a stop for Virginia Railway Express commuter trains.
It’s just a 10-minute walk to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and Pentagon Row and 15 minutes to the Pentagon and Pentagon City Mall.
Amenities at Crystal Gateway include a card room and a larger party room off the mirrored, mauve-and-green lobby. There’s an exercise facility with a weight room and an aerobics area, as well as an indoor pool.
Monthly condo association fees, ranging from $650 to $850, provide for concierge and security service 24/7, water and hot water, building maintenance and grounds keeping. One underground parking space and a cage storage area are provided for each unit; additional paid storage is available.
In 2007, Crystal Gateway’s foyer and halls were redecorated and the electric heating and air- conditioning system was upgraded. The last five years have seen major building replacements, among them the cooling tower, the heat exchanger and two hot-water heaters. In addition, all the balconies have been resurfaced.
The building is the midst of “going green,” implementing energy-conservation measures and trash recycling, and improvements scheduled for 2008 include new audio for the fire-alarm system and interior decoration of both elevators.
Crystal Gateway is managed by Delbe Real Estate Company. Pets are not allowed.
Showing properties
1 - 5 of 8.
See more Crystal Gateway.
(all data current as of
2/12/2012)
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$584,900 : 1300 Crystal Dr #605s, Arlington3 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths
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$510,000 : 1300 Crystal Dr #405, Arlington3 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths
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$469,900 : 1300 Crystal Dr #1501, Arlington2 beds, 2 full baths
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$629,000 : 1300 Crystal Dr #905s, Arlington3 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths
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$374,900 : 1300 Crystal Dr #403, Arlington1 bed, 1 full, 1 part baths
Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.
Baileys Crossroads
With a mixture of residents and businesses, Bailey’s Crossroads is a thriving, prosperous community. Bailey’s Crossroads is located in the Mason District of Fairfax County, Virginia.
Bailey’s Crossroads is located on what is now called Leesburg Pike. In pre-Columbian America Leesburg Pike was a buffalo trail and an Indian trail. The trail lead from the Potomac River to the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains. In the colonial era, the land here was part of the original Fairfax land grant. That land was parceled out over time, and as a result George Washington owned land which now is occupied by the Skyline complex of condominiums. In 1809, Bailey’s truly became a crossroads with the construction of the Washington Graveled Turnpike which is now know as Columbia Pike.
The name Bailey derives itself from New York entrepreneur Hachaliah Bailey, of Barnum & Bailey fame, who purchased land at the crossroads in the mid 19th century. He used the land as a place to house and display America’s first elephant.
During the Civil War, Bailey’s Crossroads changed hands several times and as a result nearby homes were used to garrison Confederate and Federal troops. Union President Abraham Lincoln ordered a large military review here after the Union defeat at the Battle of Bull Run.
In 1913, the Alexandria Water Company built a reservoir named Lake Barcroft near here. (Barcroft Park is nearby in Arlington County.) By the second world war, the area had transformed into a bedroom community for Washington DC. By the 1950′s the Seven Corners Shopping Center was considered a model of the American future by many. As a result, in 1953 US President Dwight D. Eisenhower brought Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev to the Seven Corners at Bailey’s Crossroads. A few years later, the shopping center was enclosed and became Northern Virginia’s first shopping mall.
The Skyline complex appeared in the early 1970s and is now home to Skyline Square, Skyline Plaza, Skyline House and more condominiums.
Schools located in or near Bailey’s Crossroads include
- Bailey’s, Beech Tree Elementary School,
- Belvedere Elementary School,
- Glen Forest Elementary School,
- Graham Road Elementary School,
- Parklawn Elementary School,
- Sleepy Hollow Elementary School,
- Timber Lane Elementary School,
- Westlawn Elementary School,
- Gasgow Middle School,
- and JEB Stuart High School.
Bailey’s Crossroads Revitalization Corporation is a group of individuals who want to help achieve a better community by involving themselves in activities such as traffic enhancements, streetscape, and residential landscaping. For more information about condos or real estate near Baileys Crossroads, please contact Will Nesbitt of Condo Alexandria.
Alexandria Primer — an introduction to the neighborhoods of Alexandria Virginia
New to the Area?
Penthouse condos in the Carlyle District of Alexandria
Everyday I meet people who are brand new to Northern Virginia. People often move to Northern VA because of jobs. They come here to work at the Pentagon, or in Washington DC. I see many new clients for the USPTO in Alexandria or from Fort Belvoir. Tysons Corner is a hub of technology. 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. I find that a primer on the neighborhoods of Alexandria is helpful. From there, my clients drill down into specific residences.
Old Town
Old Town, sometimes called Olde Town, Old Towne or Olde Towne, Alexandria is in my opinion the heart of the city. As the name implies, Old Town is the oldest part of Alexandria, a port in colonial times. Old Town is found along the Potomac, 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 has many townhouses, row houses and a smaller number single family homes.
Del Ray
Although its history doesn’t stretch to the colonial days, Del Ray is another 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 mix of shops, restaurants and hardware stores. Braddock Road metro serves Del Ray and condos such as Colecroft Station are available here.
Arlandria
As the name implies, Arlandria is at the border of Alexandria City and Arlington County. Arlandria is just north of Del Ray at terminus of Mount Vernon Avenue. Some residents also call this neighborhood Chirilagua. Arlandria has many small shops and restaurants.
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. 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.
West End
Watergate at Landmark
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.
Audrey Moore RECenter at Wakefield Park
Fairfax County has a number of RECenters throughout the county. One of these is the Audrey Moore RECenter at Wakefield Park. The park is located in Annandale just outside the Capitol Beltway. The center features swimming, fitness and racquetball facilities as well as other recreational activities such as crafts and dancing. The center is ADA accessible with curb ramps, automatic doors, ample parking, an elevator, and a wheelchair accessible unisex bathroom and dressing stalls.
The Audrey Moore RECenter at Wakefield Park has a natatorium (inside pool). The pool and natatorium is accessed via locker rooms containing saunas and showers. At the natatorium one will find a large 50 meter by 25 yard pool with one 3 meter and two 1 meter diving boards. The pool also has a Super Slide. The natatorium is equipped to handle swim-meets with plenty of seats for spectators.
In addition to a natatorium, this RECenter has a gymnasium with six basketball hoops and volleyball nets. The center has various courts for sports like racquetball, squash and wallyball. Local youth and adult leagues make good use of the gym, so it’s a good idea to call the center to make reservations for courts. The center also contains a cycle studio.
Overlooking both the gym and the natatorium is a well-equipped fitness center. The fitness room features cardiovascular equipment and Cybex machines that are networked with FitLinxx. There fitness room has has free-weights and an area to stretch-out before your work-out. Check the calendar for both beginners and advanced group fitness classes.
The RECenter isn’t just for sporting activities. Retired and older adults gather for activities at Audrey Moore’s senior center. Dancers and soon-to-be dancers make good use of the dance room where instructors hold scheduled classes for a wide variety of activities like salsa dancing, ballroom dancing and square dancing and more. You can try your hand at arts and crafts in the craft room or even fire-up the kiln and make your own pottery in the pottery lab. Aspiring photographers can make use of the dark room.
Just outside the natorium is an outdoor sundeck. The center is situated in Wakefield Park which has many trails for bicyclists, joggers and walkers. A portion of the pride of Fairfax County Parks, the Cross County Trail, courses through the park. The Cross County Trail is over 40 miles long and connects the entire county from one end to the other.
Outside the center are lighted courts for basketball, volleyball, tennis, baseball, softball and soccer. The Wakefield Skate Park is found here as well. From early May to late October, the grounds are also used on Wednesday afternoons the Wakefield Farmers’ Market.
Audrey Moore RECenter
8100 Braddock Road
Annandale, Virginia
703-321-7081
Northern Virginia Fine Arts Association — Old Town’s Atheanaeum
Located in the heart of Old Town Alexandria, The Athenaeum is home to the Northern Virginia Fine Arts Association (NVFAA). Constructed between 1851-52, the Athenaeum is a Greek revival building with a rich history. The building is named after the Greek Goddess of wisdom, Athena. Over the years The Athenaeum has taken many names and was used for many functions. Together with the Lyceum, the Athenaeum is a foundation of Alexandria’s Greek neo-classic buildings.
The building has a long history of use in Alexandria. Before the Civil War, Robert E. Lee banked here, when the building was known as the Bank of the Old Dominion. During the Civil War it was occupied by Federals and home to the Union Army Commissary Headquarters. In 1905, the bank was converted from commercial to industrial purposes. The building was used by the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Shop as a place to grind talcum into powder. In 1925, the talcum factory became the Free Methodist Church.
NVFAA purchased the Athenaeum in 1964. Since then, restorations have taken place using the funds from the members of the NVFAA and the National Park Service Save America’s Treasure Grant.
Recent art exhibits include Song For Europe by Mark Cameron Boyd is participatory installation using his signature “text bisection” process on a series of chalkboards to address four different languages from European origin such as Greek, Latin, French, and English. This exhibit is on display from August 16th – September 21st.
Music is another art form featured at The Athenaeum. Up and coming:
- September 11th – Tom Dews with Patricia Cooper.
- October 9th – Lori Grigsby & Sandy Moyer with Patricia Cooper
- December 11th – BumpKin Pie
Yoga classes are available at The Athenaeum. Instructor Betsy Huffman welcomes drop-ins. Class fees are only $18 per class. Classes are Mondays 11:30am
The Athenaeum is available for rentals for weddings, receptions, parties, business meetings and seminars.
Gallery Hours:
Thursday, Friday, & Sunday: Noon-4pm
Saturday 1pm-4pm
The Athenaeum
201 Prince St.
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 548-0035
Alexandria Symphony Orchestra
The Alexandria Symphony Orchestra— founded in 1954—has worked hard over the past 50+ years to establish a reputation for excellence. The Alexandria Symphony Orchestra (“ASO”) is dedicated to providing high quality, affordable and accessible music in the greater Metropolitan area of Northern Virginia. The ASO also strives to foster a life-long appreciation of symphonic music in area children through arts and music education in schools. The Alexandria Symphony Orchestra supports thematic and inter-arts programming with a mixture of contemporary music and classical pieces. The ASO prides itself on powerful performances under the directorship of Kim Allen Kluge.
The ASO is fully professional with a budget of $750,000 earned through ticket sales and program book advertising. (The ASO also receives many contributions from public and private donors, foundations and generous individuals.)
The Alexandria Symphony Orchestra produces eight concerts (five regular season, the Alexandria Birthday Concert, the Holiday Concert, and the Children’s Festival). The ASO also arranges concerts for Alexandria public school students in June.
In 2002, the ASO moved to the critically acclaimed Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center. The Schlesinger Center is metro accessible and located on the Alexandria Campus of the Northern Virginia Community College. This center was designed by world-class acoustical engineers to achieve an atmosphere of sound that is perfect for musical concerts. The concert hall is relatively small, seating only about one thousand people. It features unobstructed views from every seat. The size of the view, the acoustics and the intimacy of the venue ensure a wonderful experience for concert goers.
Inauguration Day 2009 — the public’s view
My colleagues in Hawaii and Florida and even in Jackson Hole or Las
Vegas love to post pictures that make me drool with envy. Stunning
beaches, snow-capped mountains and striking desert oasis condos we do
not have in the Washington Metro Area, but we do have access to our
national capital. And every four years we have access to history of a
different sort, when our nation installs a President.
Several of my friends in Northern Virginia made the trek to witness
President Obama’s swearing in. For most folks it started at 6 am at the
Metro.
Even at 6 am the line to get on the train was long. For those who
were lucky enough to get a seat on the first train, there was a wait
for a half-hour or more before the train was underway. When the trains
arrived, you began to get an idea of just how big a number 2 million
is.
The crowd was pleasant, but the numbers were overwhelming. It took 45 minutes just to get out of the station.
Top side was like a jail break, as people were glad to finally see the light of day.
The masses of people were staggering, even if they were dwarfed by the touchstones of democracy like the Washington Monument.
This was one of the better view spots open to the public on
Inauguration day. In this picture, Obama is about a quarter of a pixel
high, so it’s a little tough to make out his expression.
But the Jumbotron was there if you needed to see what was happening.
Then at the end of the day, it’s a walk back to the Metro. Small price to pay to be a witness to history.
Alexandria’s West End
Autumn colors at the Fountains condominiums
Like the Eisenhower Valley, the West End of Alexandria is a mix of units and types. 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.
