Kristi Thomas grew up in suburban Maryland but spent her early twenties in Boston and New York City. She got used to having everything she needed within walking distance of her apartment.
So when Thomas, a school band director, moved back to Washington, she looked for a home where she could enjoy a similar lifestyle. In fall 2007, she moved into the Prescott, a new condominium a block from Old Town Alexandria’s lively King Street.
“I can walk to church just down the street, walk to the Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s for groceries, and then there’s the Art League, the Torpedo Factory, the water taxi to National Harbor, and the Metro station,” she says. “Everything is just blocks from my place, but I can still hop on the highway without much hassle.”
Thomas also likes the architecture in Old Town. The façades of most new residential developments mimic existing architecture from the 18th and 19th centuries.
In early March, the Prescott’s four remaining two-bedroom condos were $475,000 for 1,100 square feet, and the one remaining penthouse was $1.4 million for 2,145 square feet plus a 1,400-square-foot terrace. Residents have access to the roof terrace, with a view of the George Washington Masonic Memorial, and every unit comes with a parking space.
1115 Cameron St.; 703-519-0036; prescottcondominiums.com.
Around the corner from the Prescott, the Duke has only ten units per floor. Buyers can choose from two-bedroom flats, which come in six floor plans, or from four townhouse designs. The flats range from 1,300 to 1,570 square feet, with the option to combine adjoining units, and are scheduled for completion this fall.
Every unit at the Duke has a fireplace, hardwood floors, granite countertops, GE stainless appliances, and Kohler fixtures. First-floor condos have patios; fourth-floor condos have balconies. Prices range from the high $500,000s to the $700,000s for flats; townhouses sell from the high $700,000s to the $900,000s. Each unit comes with two parking spaces and a basement storage unit.
1300 Duke St.; 703-837-0364; thedukeoldtown.com.
Abingdon Row is a little farther from the bustle of King Street but less than a five-minute walk from the Potomac River waterfront, three parks, and the Alexandria Community Boathouse. The 53 units feature hardwood floors, granite countertops, stainless appliances, and maple cabinetry.
Buyers can choose from one-, two-, and three-bedroom units of 640 to 1,990 square feet. Prices, including one or two garage parking spaces, range from about $359,000 for a one-bedroom to $1 million for the three-bedroom penthouse.
1023 N. Royal St.; 703-519-0040; abingdonrow.com.
Located at the north end of Old Town, the ecofriendly 900 North Washington Street was designed with both luxury and the environment in mind. It’s scheduled to open in June.
The development’s three condo buildings were constructed with recycled lumber, “green” flooring and carpet, and Pella Low E Thermal Pane Windows. Energy Star plumbing fixtures reduce city water usage by up to 20 percent, and climate-control systems use geothermal energy and emit no greenhouse gases.
Homes come with access to a fitness center, storage space, and underground parking. Prices start in the low $400,000s for one bedroom and $525,000 for two.
900 N. Washington St.; 703-347-1771; 900nw.com.
