What is a split-level home?

split-levelA Modern style that architects created to sequester certain living activities--such as sleeping or socializing--split levels offered an multilevel alternative to the ubiquitous style in the 1950s. The nether parts of a typical design were devoted to a garage and TV room; the midlevel, which usually jutted out from the two-story section, offered "quieter" quarters, such as the living and dining rooms; and the area above the garage was designed for bedrooms. Found mostly in the East and Midwest, split-levels, like their Ranch counterparts, were constructed with various building materials.
  • 1800 Old Meadow Rd #211, McLean Real Estate Dispatch

    How Much Do Mid 20th-Century Others Cost At Regency in 22102 in Fairfax County? Will Nesbitt works real estate all over this area but has special expertise in 22102 and residences like 1800 Old Meadow Rd #211. Check out the prices and pictures of this home at 1800 Old Meadow Rd #211. Not to mention,…

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    Looking at Listings At Regency? Ponder This Condo. Should you make an offer buy 1800 Old Meadow Rd #405? Sometimes, the answer to a question is more questions. Are you seeking a 3-bedroom Traditional-style condo in 22102 in Fairfax County? Can you afford $660,000? Is it actually worth $675,000 or $625,000? Do you need 2…

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  • Architectual Style Check List

    What shape is the house, overall? Rectangular and symmetrical: National, Colonial, Neoclassical, Greek Revival, Italianate Square and box-like: American Foursquare L-shaped: Folk and National styles Complicated and asymmetrical: Queen Anne and other Victorian styles, Chateauesque Rounded corners: Pueblo, Art Moderne Single story or 1½ story: Cape Cod, Ranch, Craftsman, Cottage styles Does the roof have…

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Amenities of the Torpedo Factory Condominiums

Life at the Torpedo Factory does not center around a swimming pool. The Torpedo Factory is about life in one of Northern Virginia's most exclusive neighborhoods. Most units at the Torpedo Factory are situated around a private formal and well-tended courtyard.
condos at the Torpedo Factory
crepe myrtles at the Torpedo Factory
Units come with garage parking in Old Town. If you know the colonial streets of Old Town, you know what a luxury this is.
intersection of Union and King Streets
Union and King in Old Town
The single biggest amenity at the Torpedo Factory is the neighborhood.
Torpedo Factory
Art Center

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Alexandria’s African American Heritage Museum

African Americans have been an important part of the Alexandria's history and vibrant community back to the city's founding in 1749. Both as enslaved people and as free men and women, African-Americans have contributed to the city's tapestry of life benefiting the community of Alexandria with rich economic and cultural contributions. Alexandria was a key city during the US Civil War and though Robert E. Lee is one of the city's sons, the city was quickly occupied by the Union and remained in Federal hands through-out the war. After the war the city was segregated but a defining moment in the history of segregation in Alexandria occurred in 1939 when five young African-American men staged a "sit-in" at the city's segregated Queen Street Library. The young men brought focus to the issue of the inequality of educational opportunities and as a result Alexandria built the Robert Robinson Library in 1940. This library was used by African-Americans until desegregation in the early 1960's. Today, that structure is a foundational element of the Alexandria Black History Museum.

Alexandria Black History Museum 902 Wythe Street Alexandria, VA 22314 Phone: (703) 838-4356 Fax: (703) 706-3999

In time, additional sites were added to the museum. At the eastern bound of the Carlyle District one will find the Alexandria African American Heritage Park. Next door to the Museum, the Watson Reading Room houses a non-circulating collection of books, videos, documents, and periodicals on African-American life and culture. The African American Museum is a source of pride for all Alexandrians. The museum has a calendar of events and rotating exhibits, so check back even if you have already been to the museum. From Benjamin Banneker in Alexandria's earliest days, to Dr. Albert Johnson to Samuel Wilbert Tucker during the Civil Rights Movement, Alexandria is a focal point in that courageous and audacious journey that led to the diverse, vibrant and prosperous Alexandria of today.

A look at the Lyceum in Old Town Alexandria

You might be surprised by the difference in how the Lyceum looked in the 1960's as opposed to today. Old Town is known for staying the same, but there has been a big change to the front of the Lyceum Art Center.

Featured Homes for Sale near the Lyceum

Why do residents love the Grove at Arlington Ridge?

22206 real estate agents
Nesbitt Realty can help you buy and sell real estate in 22206.
The Grove at Arlington Ridge is a condo community located just of I-395 well inside the Capital Beltway. The location provides residents easy access to Pentagon City, Shirlington Village and downtown DC. This community has 1 Bedroom, 2 Bedroom and 3 Bedroom condos that feature:
  • Hardwood floors in living and dining rooms
  • Deluxe kitchens with stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, maple cabinetry and stainless steel undermount sinks with designer faucets
  • Ceramic tile in kitchens and baths
  • Maple vanities
  • In-unit washers/dryers
  • Designer lighting
  • Private balconies
  • Nine-foot ceilings
  • Plush carpeting in bedrooms
  • Crown molding in living rooms
Many condominums at the Grove have fireplaces. The Grove offers a full bank of amenities:
  • Internet café
  • Resort-style swimming pool
  • Expansive sundeck
  • Fully-equipped business center
  • State-of-the-art fitness center
  • Giant screen media room with surround sound
  • Direct access garage and controlled access entries
  • Clubhouse with billiards room
  • Storage available
  • Courtyard patio garden area with barbeque grills
  • Wellness Center with personal training, yoga, Pilates, massage therapy, Swedish massage and Thai massage
Arlington real estate agents.
Nesbitt Realty can help you buy and sell real estate in Arlington.
 

Bilevel condominiums — lofts and townhouse style lay-outs

For some people one of the benefits of condo living is that everything is on one level. There are no stairs inside the unit of some condominiums. For those in wheelchairs, for the elderly or for those who just like life without stairs, this is a big advantage. But for some people, life on one level is just not enough. Lofts and bilevel condominiums offer condo-style living, but don't limit life to just one level. One of my favorite examples of this is found in the top floor units at the Tiers of Manchester.
swiss-style condos
Chalet style condos at Manchester Lakes
The Tiers are "swiss-style" condominiums. Their roof lines echo the high-pitched roofs favored in Alpine cottages. In Switzerland these roof provide the pitch needed to get excess snow off the roof. But in Manchester Lakes, these roofs provide opportunities for dramatic overlooks in the condo itself.
Loft at the Tiers
Loft at the Tiers of Manchester Lakes
The pitch of the roof allows for high angled ceilings and the placement of a loft over-looking the living area.
Looking down from loft
Looking down from loft at Founder's Walk
It's difficult in a photograph to show how this brings a real feeling of spaciousness to the condo. The lofts here also provide bonus space for storage and closets under the eaves of the roof. The loft is easily accessed by way of a spiral staircase that only adds to the dramatic feel of these condos.
spiral stairs to the loft
Spiral stairs to the loft at the Tiers
Kingstowne has a good many condominiums with lofts, and the Tiers of Manchester and Eton Square are just two of my favorites. To check pricing and availability on these go to Tiers or Eton Square.
Sycamores
fireplace at the Sycamores
Lofts are dramatic and very appealing, but they aren't for everyone. Another alternative in you're looking for a multi-level condo is the townhouse style layout found at the Sycamores at Van Dorn. The Sycamores is one of many garden-style condos in this area that offer townhouse-style floorplans in a garden-style condo. This gives you all the benefits of condo life (low maintenance, amenities) with the homey feel of a townhouse. In condos such as these, the bedrooms are upstairs, but the kitchen and living room are downstairs. In some condos like the Sycamores and Old Town Village, most or all units have a townhouse style unit. In other condos, such as Eton Square in Kingstowne or Worldgate near Reston, on the the top floor units have the townhouse-style unit.
Sycamores condos
Sycamore at Van Dorn
But there is yet one more way to get a multi-floor condo.
The Fountains condominiums at 301 N. Beauregard
Rear of the Fountains condominiums at 301 N. Beauregard
Some high-rises offer units with multiple floors. For example the Fountains in the West End of Alexandria VA, has units that occupy two floors. The Fountains is also one of the most affordable condominiums in Northern Virginia and features a convenient location that is easily accessible via I-395 or public transportation. The Atrium in Arlington VA is a high-end condominium in Rosslyn that has dramatic two-level units with two-story windows. There are plenty of choices these days. Contact us to find a property that will fit your tastes, budget, commute! For more information or to set up an appointment call Julie at (703)765-0300.

Beautiful parks near Alexandria and Arlington VA

George Washington Parkway is one of the greatest attractions that can be found on the West side of the Potomac River. Stretching along from Mount Vernon Estates, it passes through Belle View and Old Town, all the way up to north of Arlington. Some of our favorite parks along GW Parkway include:
  • Theodore Roosevelt Island,
  • The LBJ National Grove,
  • Gravelly Point Park,
  • Fort Marcy,
  • Turkey Run Park

Aubrey NesbittAbout the Author --- Aubrey Nesbitt is a native of Northern Virginia who attended Virginia Commonwealth University. He is a veteran of the US Army and helps his family business by providing informational articles like this one. In addition to photography and blogging, Aubrey provides administrative support for the office.