In the early 1950's two future presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford called Parkfairfax home. My parents lived just one door down from the Nixon's in what were at the time rental apartments located in Alexandria VA. Originally built constructed in 1941 to fulfill a housing shortage need for government employees close to Washington DC the homes today still are popular with buyers of all ages.
The originally developer of the property was the same construction company that built the Empire State building. A total of 286 buildings were built containing 720 one bedroom units, 863 two bedroom units and 101 three bedroom units. In 1968 the buildings were sold to a new development company (200+ acre land was retained) and were remodeled with the new kitchens and in the wall AC units. From the late 1960's through the mid-1970's Parkfairfax was forgotten by the property owners and attempts to tear down the buildings are replace them with high rise apartments were unsuccessful.
Then in 1977 IDI, known for other big developments throughout the area (Rotonda, Rivergate, Montibello) purchased the land for over 24 million dollars and began the conversion of apartments to condos and update some of the interior amenities of the condos to include individual electric meters and other "modern" updates such as baseboard heat and garbage disposals. Original sales prices ranged from $27,000 to $54,000.
Parkfairfax continues today to be a thriving tree lined community with an abundance of community amenties including 3 swimming pools, 8 tennis courts, party rooms and 2 volleyball courts. With bus service to DC running down the major streets and the revitalized Shirlington Village within walking distance. Only one stop light to the Pentagon on I-395 or on the direct A3 or A4 Metro buses from the corner of Gunston and Martha Custis road directly to the Pentagon Metro makes the neighborhood a popular choice for military personnel coming the area.
With 15 different floor plans all named after presidents, the condos range from the smallest Adams model at 750 square feet to the largest Roosevelt at 1555 square feet. Though you can still find a few of the condos that have not been upgraded to include washers and dryers (community laundry rooms are available) most have and if not it is an easy fix to add a stack W/D in the kitchen or upstairs hall closet.


If you are interested in learning more about Parkfairfax or other great neighborhoods in Alexandria, Fairfax County or throughout Northern Virginia give me a call. As a native of the area I can give you a tour not only a new place to call home but other areas of interest for you and your family.
Current for rent and for sale listings in Parkfairfax
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As an Associate Broker with RE/MAX Allegiance in Northern Virginia and native of the area I can assist you whether you are buying, selling or renting a home anywhere in Northern Virginia. For more information about the area or my services you can check VaRealEstateTalk or my Northern Virginia website.
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Cindy - This is a great headline and an interesting post. Great job!
Cindy, I was just in Parkfairfax yesterday showing a home to a client. In fact, I think I took a picture of that exact same sign that you did! Great to learn all this history of the community. Some I knew, much I did not, so thanks for this very informative post.
Jason-I can remember my mom making comments after Nixon moved to the White House that Pat Nixon had to do her laundry in the laundry room just like everyone else.
Brian-Parkfairfax is a wonderful community. I spent the first three years of my life there and my folks had to move when just before I turned 3. The city had a rule then that two children of the opposite sex could not share a bedroom once the oldest child started school. Since we were in a two bedroom on Martha Custis and my brother was ready to start elementary school it was off to the wilds of Springfield for us!
I love this stuff, Cindy. Thanks for posting so much interesting information about Northern Virginia! You're a real role model for me, encouraging me to dig up interesting information about Anne Arundel County.
Margaret-we are all in this together and the more we learn from each about our areas and our markets the better agents we will be for our customers.
Cindy - So many lovely communities to choose from!!!
Bill & Barbara Jo-indeed we do have a lot of neighborhoods!
Hi, Cindy - What a great post. Your pictures are beautiful. I think I'm beginning to have grass withdrawals - we're still under 4' of snow. :)
Jesse & Kathy-That is was to much snow! Though you have so many beautiful sights that when it melts I'm sure you forget the winter right away.