Parkfairfax, Virginia facts for kids
|
Parkfairfax Historic District
|
|
Preston Road entrance to Parkfairfax
|
|
 Location in Alexandria
|
|
| Location | Bounded by Quaker Ln., US 395, Beverley Dr., Wellington Rd., Gunston Rd., Valley Dr., Glebe Rd., and Four-mile Run, Alexandria, Virginia |
|---|---|
| Area | 132 acres (53 ha) |
| Built | 1941 |
| Architect | Schultz, Leonard and Associates; Clarke, G.D., and Rapuano, Michael |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 99000146 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
|
| Added to NRHP | February 22, 1999 |
Parkfairfax is a special neighborhood in Alexandria, Virginia. It's located in the northwestern part of the city. This area is close to the border with Arlington County. Major roads like Interstate 395 and Glebe Road are nearby.
Parkfairfax has 1,684 townhouse-style condominium apartments. These homes are spread out in over 200 buildings. They were built in 1941 and 1942. The Metropolitan Life Insurance Company from New York built them. This was done at the request of U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt. He wanted to provide homes for people working near the new Pentagon building.
Like the nearby neighborhood of Fairlington, Parkfairfax is a very important historical place. It is listed on both the National Register of Historic Places and the Virginia Landmarks Register. This means it's recognized for its historical value.
The name "Parkfairfax" is similar to other projects by Metropolitan Life. They often used "Park" before a local area name. For example, there's Parkchester and Parklabrea. Even though the area hasn't been part of Fairfax County since 1801, the name stuck.
Discovering Parkfairfax History
Parkfairfax originally covered about 202 acres (82 ha) of land. It was unique because it was the only project of its kind by Metropolitan Life that did not have any high-rise buildings. This means all the homes were lower to the ground.
Many famous people have lived in Parkfairfax over the years. Two former presidents, Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford, lived here. They stayed in Parkfairfax when they were members of the United States Congress. Dean Rusk, who was the Secretary of State under John F. Kennedy, also called Parkfairfax home.
In 1976, a very special visitor came to Parkfairfax. Cardinal Karol Józef Wojtyła, who later became Pope John Paul II, visited an apartment here. He came to see Polish-American journalist John M. Szostak and offered his blessing.
Later, from 1977 to 1979, Parkfairfax underwent big changes. The IDI Group Companies renovated the homes. They then sold them as condominium apartments. This allowed many people to own their own homes in this historic neighborhood.
Fun and Shopping Near Parkfairfax
Residents of Parkfairfax have easy access to many fun places. The nearby community of Shirlington is just a short walk away. A special walkway crosses the I-395 highway interchange, making it safe to get there.
In Shirlington, you can find many things to do. There are restaurants, stores, and even live theater. You can also catch a movie at the cinema. For those who love the outdoors, the Washington & Old Dominion Railroad Trail starts there. This trail is great for walking, running, or biking. More shopping options are available at The Village at Shirlington.
