Favorite Fort Hunt Neighborhoods
Along Fort Hunt road one will find high-rise condo's, to gorgeous brick garden- apartments, townhouses, cottages, treehouse residences, single-family houses and large manors. It's hard to give an newcomer a full appreciation of what's found in this area, but herein we highlight a few of your many choices. For a graphic representation of the area, check out our maps.
River Towers
River Towers is a condominium community near the Potomac River, the Metro and shopping, but surrounded by 26 acres of parklands. Most units are resident owners but there are studio, 1, 2 and 3 bedroom rentals here as well.
New Alexandria
New Alexandria is a peaceful community on the banks of the Potomac River just outside Old Town Alexandria VA. Perfectly situated between parks and country clubs in an environment sheltered from the traffic and hassles of Northern Virginia, Belle View is close to everything the Nation's Capitol has to offer. There are garden-style apartments and condo's for rent in Belle View. The Belle View Shopping Center has most of the communities daily needs at the ready.
Bucknell Manor
Bucknell Manor is a community of townhouses and single family homes at the north end of Fort Hunt Road. This area was built in the 1950's and features Cape Cods and traditional duplexes. Although the homes were built as starter homes, many of them have been expanded and some have been knocked down to make room for larger homes. Because the surrounding area was built up forty to fifty years ago, all necessary community amenities are fully developed.
Belle Haven
Belle Haven is among the National Capitol Region's most prestigious luxurious neighborhoods. Here, one will find luxury homes, manors, houses and a smattering of cottages and town houses that are perfectly situated between parks and country clubs in an environment sheltered from the traffic and hassles of Northern Virginia. Belle Haven is close to everything the Nation's Capitol has to offer.
Hollin Hills
Hollin Hills is a unique development along Fort Hunt Road, and perhaps in the country. Hollin Hills has about 450 houses designed by Charles Goodman and developed by Robert Davenport. The homes feature flat-roofs, floor-to-ceiling windows and a unique, boxy architecture. The large expanses of glass, sleek lines, and unusual siting has earned Hollin Hills national recognition from the early fifties to the present.
Hollindale
Hollindale and Hollin Hall homes are typically brick cottages on flat lots and quiet streets. These homes were originally built as cute brick ramblers but many have been replaced or added on so the neighborhood varies somewhat. The Hollin Hall Shopping Center is a hidden from the outside world, but a treasured resource for the Fort Hunt community.
Villamay, Westgrove & Marlan Forest
Luxury ramblers (or split levels) with oversized proportions and intriguing design touches are the predominant home here between the George Washington Parkway & Fort Hunt Road. Many have excellent river views. This neighborhood lacks a small measure of the prestige of Belle Haven, but the amenities & luxury here are second to none.
Arcturus
In the subtle pecking order of Fort Hunt Road, it's difficult to find the exact positioning for Arcturus, because this community runs perpendicular to the River. Along the banks of the Potomac and GW Parkway one will find estates that will rival anything in the world. But as you progress inland many of the homes are more modest. No matter where you find yourself in the forested enclave the neighborhood is peaceful and beautiful.
Waynewood
Waynewood, suburban America at its finest, is a community of moderately priced (for this area) homes on meandering streets. Situated on a part of what was George Washington's estate at Mount Vernon, Waynewood characterizes the realization of the American dream. You won't find the manors of Belle Haven here, or the glass of Hollin Hills, or the views of River Towers & Villamay, but you will find ample lawns, sturdy homes and good clean-living.
Stratford
The last stop down Fort Hunt Road might be its most impressive. Estate homes with river views, water exposure docks are found at Stratford Landing and Stratford on the Potomac.
Will Nesbitt
Will Nesbitt is a long time resident and a real estate professional. Please contact him to find your best rental now.
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River Towers is one of several high-rise condo's hidden in the forests around Fort Hunt Road. Rents and condo fees are reasonable, but the services and community amenities are among the best in the region.
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Belle Haven is one of the most pleasant, prestigious and perfectly situated neighborhoods in all of Northern Virginia .
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There are several clusters of townhouses in the community. They are generally well-maintained, quality construction and nicely appointed.
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The area is close the Huntington Metro and well served by mass transit including the REX and Fairfax Connector.
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Waynewood is (as they say) only
twelve miles from DC but a world away from Washington. Most of the the residences
in Waynewood are brick, siding or brick and siding.
Many of these homes have large level lots perfect for a game of touch-football or
just big enough for a game of wiffle ball.
It's a place that was frozen in time and seems to recall what's best in America: tree-line
streets, a prosperous middle class and families who are involved in the community.
While there are homes that are large, spacious and luxurious, for the most part Waynewood
remains relatively affordable. Here's the latest offerings from Waynewood .
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Driving Down River
From the CIA Headquarters, downriver to the hieghts of Rosslyn, there are several
overlooks that provide nice views of Georgetown in Washington DC. Picnicers will find
parks and pull-overs where they can take a break from their drive along the Potomac.
After passing under the beautiful Francis Scott Key Bridge, the Parkway passes one
of my favorite (and one of the area's least known) Presidential memorials---Teddy
Roosevelt Island. This forested island on the Potomac takes visitors into another
world, and as you walk the trails on the island it is easy to forget that you are
in an urban environment. If you've never done so, walk the trails and discover
T. Roosevelt's statue and memorial---a fitting tribute to a man who love the outdoors
and who helped establish the national park system.
If you're travelling south, or downriver, you won't have access to the island at this
point and you'll have to save that bit of fun for your return. But just minutes past
the Key Bridge, you'll clear the woods of Teddy Roosevelt Island and Rosslyn's bluff
and will get your first glimpse of the national Capitol in all it's glory.
At the Monuments
From the road you'll have views of the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument and Jefferson
Memorial across the Potomac in Washington DC. On the hill above you in Virginia,
you'll have a glimpse of the Iwo Jima Memorial. There is a mish-mash of poorly marked
connecting roads entering and leaving the Parkway as you approach Memorial Bridge
at and around the Iwo Jima Memorial.
These connectors can be confusing to tourists, but locals zip on and off the Parkway
to access DC or Arlington. Despite the potential for accidents with slower moving
site-seers and quick moving commuters, there are few incidents here: a testament to
the fine design of the Parkway.
Memorial Bridge marks the entrance to Arlington National Cemetary, a solemn and beautiful
place where Presidents, soldiers and honored citizens of the United States have taken
their final rest. Fittingly, Memorial Bridge connects Arlington House, Robert E. Lee's
home in Virginia, with the Lincoln Memorial, symbolizing the bridge that connects
North and South in union.
National Airport
As one passes the Memorial Bridge the Jefferson Memorial with its famed Tidal Pools,
becomes more visible. Past the Jefferson Memorial, the Parkway crosses Humpback Bridge
onto Columbia Island, home to Lady
Bird Johnson Memorial Grove. At this point, travellers downriver will have
access to a pleasant picnic area which provides excellent views up to the Pentagon
and the Air Force Memorial.
As the parkway leaves the island, it jogs away from the Pentagon and the hi-rise skyline
of Crystal City toward Ronald
Reagan National Airport. The airport's runaway nearly meets the road as the parkway
gentle wends its way downriver. Here the parkway offers pleasant views of the Potomac
and local air traffic landing at Reagan National. Just past the airport is the first
of two marinas on the parkway.
Old Town Alexandria
After the marina, the Parkway slows to a traffic light and then for the next mile
or so, makes its way through the streets of Old Town Alexandria. Old
Town is a delight, with shops, boutiques and historical sites. Past Old Town the
view opens up again with a sweeping view of the River toward National Harbor. The Belle
Haven Country Club marks the approach to the Belle
Haven Marina. This provides a great spot for a picnic as well as an opportunity
to rent canoes, kayaks, rowboats and sailboats.
Past the marina is the Dyke Marsh,
a wetlands filled with birds, fish and wildlife. Across the river Fort Washington,
a relic of the War of 1812 watches the narrows of the Potomac. Fort Washington, once
a military stronghold, now a pleasant park, is a destination in itself and is worth
an afternoon. The Virginia side of the river has Fort
Hunt, where moldering remnants of World War II stand silent watch over a peaceful
park.
Mansion at Mount Vernon
After several scenic vistas at and around Stratford Landing and Arcturus, the Parkway
at last comes to an end at George Washington's mansion at Mount Vernon. Mount Vernon
Estate & Gardens is the oldest national historic preservation organization in
the country. Mount Vernon is the most popular historic estate in America. The grounds
are well-preserved as is the home itself.
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Fort Hunt Road meanders from Rt.
1 south of Old Town at Huntington
over about 5 miles to Mount Vernon. Fort Hunt Road runs generally parallel to the George
Washington Parkway where it runs south from Alexandria to Mount Vernon. Where
the GW Parkway runs along the Potomac at the river's edge, Fort Hunt road climbs up
to the ridge described in
detail here.
Fort Hunt is quilted with quiet neighborhoods that are among my favorite in Northern
Virginia. From affordable cozy condos at River
Towers and Belle View to the impressive
riverside residences to Arcturus or
ridgetop homes of Belle Haven, Fort Hunt
has all that is great in America. I even love the middle America type neighborhoods
of Bucknell Manor and Waynewood.
In addition there are architecturally distinctive and important homes at Hollin
Hills.
There are two schools on Fort Hunt Road: Belle View Elementary and Carl Sandburg Middle
School. (My children attended both of these schools.) There are two nieghborhood shopping
centers on Fort Hunt Road: the Belle
View Shopping Center and the Hollin
Hall Shopping Center. Fort
Hunt Park, the road's namesake is at the lower end of the road.
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Fort Hunt Park consists of
105 acres located along the Potomac River in Fairfax County, Virginia, approximately
6 miles south of Old
Town Alexandria. The Park is a part of the over 7,000 acres that make up the George
Washington Memorial Parkway. The lands of Fort Hunt Park were originally
a part of George Washington's personal farm and were became a military outpost and
now serves as a picnic area and nature park.
So that all may better understand the history of Fort Hunt, the Park Service has begun
research to uncover the names of the many veterans who served at Fort Hunt when it
was a military outpost.
Fort Hunt Park was converted into a fortification during the Spanish - American War.
In 1897 the fort was modernized for military operations. During War World II the fort
was used as a top secret military intelligence outpost.
After both World War I and World War II, Fort Hunt was virtually abandoned due to
military cutbacks. The National Park Service now adminstrates Fort Hunt Park a recreational
park for public use. Fort Hunt has been a focal point of personal dramas of all kind
throughout its history, but now it's dedicated to public recreation.
Hours are 7am until sunset year round for general use. From April - October reservations
are needed to use some areas of the park. For information about homes and neighborhoods
near and around Fort Hunt Road check out Fort
Hunt Info.
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The nieghborhoods surrounding Fort Hunt Road are generally low-crime, high-income and well-maintained. Despite these commonalities, there are many differences between these neighborhoods depending upon the geology, location and builders in that neighborhood. This information is provided to give one an idea of the many choices offered along Fort Hunt Road, as well as give you an idea of what sort of activities are available here.
Neighborhoods
- Belle Haven — Belle Haven is one of the Northern Virginia's most prestigious neighborhoods because of it's proximity to services, high quality of construction and commanding position near Fort Willard.
- New Alexandria — Between the Belle Haven Country Club, Belle Haven Marina and Mount Vernon Rec Center, you'll find New Alexandria. This one little neighborhood includes garden apartments, cottages, houses, townhouses and luxury homes.
- River Towers — River Towers is a one of a kind place near the marina, the Metro and shopping, but surrounded by 26 acres of park lands.
- Bucknell — "Bucknell" includes both Bucknell Manor and Bucknell Hieghts, and is a neighborhood of Cape Cods, duplex townhouses situated on the uplands behind Fort Hunt Rd. Some of the most affordable homes along Fort Hunt Road are found in Bucknell.
- Villamay — Villamay, Westgrove and Marlan Forest are situated half-way down Fort Hunt Road along the Potomac. The homes here are general upscale, but lacking pretension.
- Mason Hill — Mason Hill was one of the last subdivisions to be developed along Fort Hunt Road and as such its homes are generally newer than most neighborhoods in the area.
- Hollin Hills — Hollin Hills is yesterday's vision of tomorrow. This is one of Northern Virginia's most remarkable neighborhoods because of its unique setting and architecture.
- Hollindale — Sometimes called Hollin Hall because if its proximity to the Hollin Hall Shopping Center. Hollindale is mostly traditional single family homes on rolling wooded lots.
- Waynewood — Americana at its best. Tree-lined streets, churches and schools frame a community where families are welcome.
- Arcturus — Estate homes, manors and luxury houses are most common along the Potomac in Collingwood and around Arcturus. There are a few more modest homes as well in Wellington and Collingwood.
- Stratford — The last stop on Fort Hunt Road neighbors Mount Vernon. Large river homes with excellent views are found here.
- Area Shopping — The area is well served by a wide range of shops and services.
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