This Neighborhood Spotlight is brought to you by The Seward Group of TTR Sotheby’s International Realty.
Located just 15 miles south of Washington D.C. along the Potomac River lies the bedroom community of Stratford Landing, one of four neighborhoods located in Fort Hunt.
According to a 2019 article published by The Washington Post, “driving down Fort Hunt Road in Alexandria, the center of the Fort Hunt neighborhood, you are swept back to an idyllic time of post-World War II suburbia, where split levels and kids on bikes ruled the streets and Little League games dominated Saturday activities.”
The article continues to describe Stratford as “a classic suburb that has resisted commercial buildup… just single-family homes for its population of almost 17,000 mostly families and retirees.” Stratford itself has over 700 homes.
The Stratford community is divided into two legal subdivisions, Stratford on the Potomac and Stratford Landing. The community is surrounded on three sides by water. According to the bylaws for the Stratford Landing Citizen’s Association, it’s “bounded on the South by the tributary of the Little Hunting Creek that runs parallel to Creek Drive; on the West by Little Hunting Creek; on the North by the tributary of Little Hunting Creek that runs parallel to the East-West course of Brewster Drive; and on the East by Riverside Road and a line extending Riverside Road but also including Wittington Boulevard and its feeder roads.”
History of Stratford Landing
Built on George Washington’s original old “River Farm” alongside Little Hunting Creek, Stratford Landing is a unique blend of historical significance and modern-day luxuries.
In 1956, Long Island builders Ernest C. Beck and Walter Beck began their development of Stratford Landing, starting with 110 homes. In 1957, utilities and paved roads arrived along with the construction of even more homes. The success of the development was shouted through advertisements in The Washington Post and Times Herald!
For more on the early history of Stratford Landing, including multiple newspaper advertisements and articles, take a look at the Stratford Landing website.
The community
Nature and land preservation is a big part of Stratford Landing. With yearly community cleanups, residents join together on organized days to help pick up trash, mow common areas, and trim overgrown foliage, including tasks as simple as trimming the vines from the neighborhood sign!
Wildlife and its preservation are also a big part of life in Stratford Landing. Sightings of fox darting across driveways, deer quietly crossing through backyards or even eagles flying overhead are daily occurrences and cherished by the residents.
The residents of Stratford take a vested interest in connecting to their neighbors. Anne Merchant brought over a loaf of homemade banana bread to welcome new neighbors while Carrie Sessine left a card and a bottle of wine on her neighbor’s doorstep. When Stratford residents had their babies, neighbors created a sign-up sheet for a meal chain to help out with nightly dinners for a few weeks. And when another resident lost her husband, neighbors banded in support ranging from meals to daily check-ins.
When asked why she moved her family from D.C. out to the Stratford area, Ellen King stated that they “would spend most of our weekends leaving our home in the busy city just to frequent trials and parks along the Potomac. We loved seeing the bald eagles and nests along the parkway and simply loved the calm atmosphere of all of it so close to Washington D.C.. We fell in love with the tree-lined streets, scenic views and wooded backyards that Stratford provided. We finally decided to make it permanent and settle down here to raise our kids. It was the greatest decision we ever made!”
This fact, not surprisingly, provides a huge draw for those who face commuting to and from the city for work. The proximity to Fort Belvoir, the Pentagon, Andrews AFB and Bolling AFB make this neighborhood a favorite among military, in particular. After living in 11 different locations in 17 years, Laura Catron decided that this is where she wanted to stay for good after her husband retires.
“It is the perfect blend of city life and suburbia [for us],” she says.
Laura’s husband, Kevin, chose to live in the area because of the easy commute to work, the closeness to Old Town (a favorite hangout) and the direct route to Reagan International Airport since much of his work involved travel.
Restaurants and shopping
This Neighborhood Spotlight is brought to you by The Seward Group of TTR Sotheby’s International Realty.
This month’s neighborhood spotlight shines on Kingstowne, Virginia.
The Community
This popular community is loved for its unique environment, beautiful landscape, vibrant town center, and quick access to D.C., Fort Belvoir and the Pentagon. The tree-lined streets, miles of walking trails, acres of green space, multiple outdoor swimming pools, tennis courts and numerous tot lots are where you will find the families who call Kingstowne home.
This planned community was developed in the 1980s in stages called villages. The South Village, North Village and Middle Village all contain a mix of apartments, condominiums, townhouses and single-family homes.
The Crest, a new high-end 55+ planned community includes condominiums, elevator townhomes and single-family houses.
Not many communities have their own ZIP codes, but Kingstowne does — 22315. Kingstowne’s own post office, UPS store, movie theater, library and town center are just some of the places that serve this neighborhood of over 5,300 homes. You never have to travel out of the community to find what you need.
Schools
Many families choose to live in Kingstowne so their children can attend school very close to the neighborhood. Younger students may attend Lane Elementary, Hayfield Elementary or Franconia Elementary depending on which part of Kingstowne they live in. The older children will attend either Mark Twain or Hayfield Middle School and/or Hayfield Secondary School or Edison High School.
Dining and shopping
Even long-time residents have a hard time keeping up with Kingstowne’s dining and shopping options! Anything you want or need is right in the neighborhood.
Kingstowne Towne Center is a beautiful retail shopping and professional services center. It is hard to believe there are so many options in one single community location. HomeGoods, T.J. Maxx, Ross, World Market, Kohl’s, Walmart, Old Virginia Tobacco Cigar Shop, GameStop, Lane Bryant and more. (Ashley Home Store is opening soon!) Grocery stores include Giant, Safeway and Aldi.
The Kingstowne Farmers Market is located across the parking lot from Giant and is open Fridays, May 7 to October 29, 2021, from 3 to 7 p.m. And Amazon’s first new concept grocery store in Northern Virginia is opening here soon! (No official opening date, but hiring has started.) With amazing professional services also available (think: massage, nails, hair, optometrist, cat clinic, dentist and dermatologist), Kingstowne Towne Center is truly a one-stop location for the families who live here.
From seafood to Italian to Indian to Thai and Vietnamese, Kingstowne Towne Center has it all for dining options! Some family favorites include Romano’s Macaroni Grill, Bone Fish Grill, and Uno’s Pizzeria & Grill. But residents and visitors also love Starbucks, Panera and all the fast food restaurant options! (The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has approved a drive-thru Chick-fil-A coming soon!) And don’t forget Sweet Frog and Dairy Queen for a fun dessert! Now that spring is here, residents take advantage of all the outdoor dining opportunities available in the Towne Center.
Kingstown keepers
We can’t forget these Kingstowne keepers around the neighborhood! Wegman’s is a favorite destination in Kingstowne as well as Burton’s Grill & Bar, LA Fitness and all the small (and large) businesses and dining options in Hilltop Village Center.
The Hayfield Shopping Center is another local place to check out! House of Dynasty is a 5-star Chinese restaurant that has been a neighborhood staple for decades. Dancensations has been providing dance and gymnastics classes to the children of Kingstowne since 1989. Planet Fitness, fast food options, professional services and more can be found in this center.
Real estate
Kingstowne is an expansive community in the Fairfax County section of Alexandria. Located just 12 miles from Washington, D.C., this 1,200-acre community is convenient to I-95, the Capital Beltway, two Metro stations, Fort Belvoir and the Coast Guard Station.
The boundaries for Kingstowne are:
- Franconia Road to the north,
- Beulah Street to the west,
- S. Van Dorn Street to the east and
- Telegraph Road to the south
According to Bright MLS, at the time this article was written there were 13 homes for sale in Kingstowne. Prices ranging from $265,000 for a one-bed condo to $850,000 for a four-bed single-family home. Homes in this popular community have been selling quickly. On average, homes receive seven offers with waived contingencies and sell in less than a week.
If you have a question about Kingstowne real estate or would like to set up an appointment with one of our agents, please email [email protected], call 703-298-0562 or visit The Seward Group website.
About The Seward Group: We are award-winning real estate agents with TTR Sotheby’s International Realty. Lyssa Seward, Brittanie DeChino, Anita Edwards, Melody Abella, Laura Catron, Gina Wimpey and Elaine McCall make up our team. We offer our clients Full-Spectrum Concierge Real Estate Service at all price points, assisting with every step of the process from beginning to end. We are licensed in Virginia, D.C. and Maryland with TTR Sotheby’s International Realty in Old Town Alexandria.
This Neighborhood Spotlight is brought to you by The Seward Group of TTR Sotheby’s International Realty.
This month’s Neighborhood Spotlight lands on Beverley Hills.
Nestled in the hills above Del Ray and Rosemont is a neighborhood pocket called “Beverley Hills,” which encompasses the upper half of the broader neighborhood of North Ridge (portions of ZIP codes 22305 and 22302) in the City of Alexandria.
The boundaries for Beverley Hills are:
- West Glebe on the north
- ParkFairfax on the west
- Russell Road on the east
- Beverley Drive/Monticello Park on the south
Proximity to Washington D.C. (an easy drive from Glebe to 395) makes this a popular neighborhood for folks who need to get in and out of the District on a regular basis. Also, it’s less than a 10-minute drive to both National Airport (DCA) and the Pentagon. It’s just a 10 to 15-minute drive to Shirlington, Ballston, Crystal and Pentagon cities, and Old Town Alexandria — all great options for restaurants, dining and shopping without much traffic along the way!
The Beverly Hills Community
Beverley Hills is known for its rolling hill topography (not surprising, given its name), which provides stunning views, excellent opportunities for getting the heart rate up on walks and sledding!
“I love when we wake up to a fresh snowfall and the neighbors have blocked off Canyon Drive on each end — families are sledding downhill together, you feel like you are somewhere special.” — Nick Huck, a Beverly Hills resident
In this community, neighbors wave to one another in passing and check in on one another. When Rama and Jay Chauhan (Pullman Place) moved to the neighborhood from a row home in Washington, D.C. in 2017, they were pleasantly surprised with how welcomed their neighbors made them feel and the almost instantaneous support they had from their new community.
“[Our] neighbors feel like family; we can count on them for anything,” Rama said. “And all the walks we have taken during COVID have provided us with an opportunity to meet other folks in the neighborhood — everyone is friendly.”
They also happily pass the time together in local gathering spots, especially The Pit (aka Beverley Park) and Monticello Park. The Pit, renovated in 2017, features a large playground, nature play area, grass and plenty of seating for adults. Rumor has it that sometimes, after the dinner hour, adults may find their way there to relax and hang out with neighbors over a fire. Monticello Park, more of a nature park, is well-known for its bird watching, walking trail and dog run.
The tall, beautiful trees make Beverley Hills feel like a forest outside of the city. Members of the community have a strong appreciation and connection to the natural growth of wildlife in the neighborhood.
“The trees and flowers are something I feel like the neighborhood, in general, cares for,” Huck said. “I was just talking to two neighbors, and they told me about how the flowers growing in that yard were shared from another neighbor, who got them from yet another. In fact, some of our azaleas are from neighbors who shared them with our property.”
Residents also collectively enjoy the variety in architectural style. There are colonials, split-levels, ranchers, bungalows, Tudors and more!
This Neighborhood Spotlight is brought to you by The Seward Group of TTR Sotheby’s International Realty.
Welcome to our first Neighborhood Spotlight. We are pleased to present this new monthly column that will highlight the vast array of Alexandria neighborhoods.
This month’s Neighborhood Spotlight lands on Old Town.
The saying “don’t judge a book by its cover” holds true for a town’s name. Our beloved Old Town Alexandria is historic and charming, but it’s changing and showing itself as anything but old in 2021. Vibrant and full of life, Old Town is the perfect place to call home — or simply visit for an afternoon or a night on the town. Check out the top five things to see and do in Old Town Alexandria.
Known for its rich history, Old Town is located just 6.5 miles north of George Washington’s Mount Vernon home and 5 miles south of Washington, D.C. Recently, Old Town has been welcoming many new businesses and new residences, making it a true melding of historic charm (dating from the 1700s) to today’s modern life. Whether you’re visiting or a resident, the rich history and attractions are not to be missed!
Named one of the Top 5 Best Small Cities in the U.S. in 2020 by Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards and one of the South’s Best Cities by Southern Living, one would have a hard time disagreeing. Old Town boasts a Walk Score of 85, Bike Score of 80 and a strong transit score as it is both Metro and water taxi accessible and only 3.5 miles to Reagan National Airport. Commuters enjoy many options, including two metro stations (King Street and Braddock Road), the 11Y Express Bus (runs north/south on GW Parkway to/from downtown Washington, D.C. and Mount Vernon), 495 and Route 1. Check out more of Old Town’s national accolades!
The Community
What makes Old Town Alexandria the best community? The people, of course… but also, the dogs! You won’t get far walking on King Street before you see water bowls, biscuit offerings and even signs for free treats for our four-legged pals if you pop inside. Known as one of the top dog-friendly locations in the country, hotels, restaurants and shops alike are ready for your pups to move about town with you.
Old Town Alexandrians love their town, their neighbors and their community — and it shows. Alexandria has a rich history of philanthropy and community involvement.
Some popular local nonprofits include:
- Carpenter’s Shelter
- ALIVE! Family Assistance Program
- Rebuilding Together
- Good 360
- Kids Helping Kids
- Together We Bake
- Senior Services of Alexandria
…and so many more!
Dining & Shopping
One of the most unique things about Old Town is that it has only a few national chains and is populated by many small, independent businesses. The newly revived Waterfront is a wonderful place to people-watch, grab a bite to eat and catch the water taxi to Nationals Park or National Harbor!
Old Town’s culinary scene includes a variety of favorite restaurants, many of which are housed in historic buildings. From seafood to Italian to French bistros, Old Town has it all! A sampling of our favorite family-run restaurants includes Taverna Cretekou and Landini Brothers. Other favorites include Hummingbird, Ada’s on the River and Virtue Feed & Grain.
As for hotels, The Alexandrian Hotel is our team’s favorite place for photo shoots. The Gadsby Tavern & Inn is a favorite tourist destination hosting local events and even yoga in the ballroom! The Lorien features its own on-site spa, The Morrison House is a small boutique and luxury hotel, and Hotel Indigo is the newest addition on the waterfront.
In 2019, Forbes named Old Town Alexandria the “Ice Cream Cone Capital of the United States” for good reason! Where do we start? Pop’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream Company, Kilwins on King Street, Ben and Jerry’s, and Jeni’s on Patrick.
To work off your ice cream, Old Town provides a fitness lovers paradise with jogging and bike paths nearby and many wonderful fitness and yoga studios.
Old Town’s Farmer’s Market is a local favorite every Saturday, not to mention it’s the oldest farmer’s market in the country consistently held at the same location! Did you know that George Washington sent produce from his farm to this market to be sold? Visitors and locals alike love the abundant selection of fresh local produce, baked goods, various ethnic delicacies and dairy products. The market also boasts a wonderful selection of local artisans!
Our Local Favorites