Modern/contemporary housing in the Fairfax area (Alexandria, Reston: townhouse, neighborhoods)

[tenacious-c]

Hi,

My wife and I are moving to the Fairfax area around November. She will be traveling up to the area (from FL) in the next couple of weeks, and we are both wondering if there is any availability of modern/contemporary houses in the area.

Our budget is around 6-800k, and she will be working in the Fairfax area, while I will be working in Bethesda, MD (NIH area). So, we would need to be able to commute in a reasonable timeframe.

We would LOVE a free-standing house, but will consider a townhouse, too. We really like the modern/industrial look, and ideally, "green" architecture, but haven't found anything online. We do have a realtor, and she is open to our suggestions, but hasn't been able to find anything, either.

Any suggestions gratefully appreciated!

Chris

[JEB77]

Originally Posted by tenacious-c

Hi,

My wife and I are moving to the Fairfax area around November. She will be traveling up to the area (from FL) in the next couple of weeks, and we are both wondering if there is any availability of modern/contemporary houses in the area.

Our budget is around 6-800k, and she will be working in the Fairfax area, while I will be working in Bethesda, MD (NIH area). So, we would need to be able to commute in a reasonable timeframe.

We would LOVE a free-standing house, but will consider a townhouse, too. We really like the modern/industrial look, and ideally, "green" architecture, but haven't found anything online. We do have a realtor, and she is open to our suggestions, but hasn't been able to find anything, either.

Any suggestions gratefully appreciated!

Chris

It probably depends on what you mean by "contemporary." I'm not aware of large developments with "contemporary" houses that have been built recently in Fairfax, but there are certainly areas in the county with houses that are marketed as "contemporary" (to distinguish them from "Colonials," "Ramblers," "Craftsmen," etc).

If your wife is going to work in Fairfax, you might look at Oakton neighborhoods such as Ridgecrest, Fox Vale and Waples Mill. There are also a lot of "contemporaries" from the 1950s in Lake Barcroft in Falls Church and Hollin Hills in Alexandria, but the commute to Bethesda would be a pain. Great Falls has a fair number of contemporaries as well, but they are above your price range.

[LynchburgLover]

I know you're asking about Virginia -- but since, you're working in Bethesda, you might want to look in Maryland, too. You might be able to find a fixer-upper in the Carderock or Bannockburn areas of Bethesda for that price. It would probably be small and need a lot of work but you'd make your money back in that area. There are also a handful (1960s idea of modern) in Somerset (Chevy Chase) area. Good luck.

[cdmurphy]

There's Great Oaks in the City of Fairfax.

[tenacious-c]

Thanks!

Let me clarify the question a bit:

Yes, Fairfax area is best for us-she will be covering at 3 different hospitals, while I will only be at one, so closer to Fairfax is better than closer to Bethesda (although a reasonable commute for me is key! I currently commute between Ft. Lauderdale, and Miami-ugh!)

In terms of "contemporary/modern," perhaps I should have said "urban/new-urban" type of architecture. We'd like new vs older construction.

Ideally, we'd have a bit of a yard (for a dog in the future) and at least 3 beds. Kitchen is of the most importance for my wife, and for me, some outside space, and a work area.

Are we stretching, or could this happen?

[normie]

You can find some interesting modern architecture homes in Reston, but ironically they're also "historic". They're examples of architecture from the 1960's when Reston was the "cool" town for architects. Some of them actually are pretty cool--it might be worth asking a realtor if you can see one.

[JfromReston]

Here are a couple of homes in Reston you may want to consider
1665 CEDAR HOLLOW WAY, RESTON, VA 20194 - HomesDatabase
1614 WOODSTOCK LN, RESTON, VA 20194 - HomesDatabase

Edited to add one more:
http://www.homesdatabase.com/home-li...MRIS-FX7372972

[LynchburgLover]

I know I'm getting old and I've been surrounded by Colonials my whole life so bear with me.

To me "modern" is kind of the sloping roof, lots of glass, California-y looking stuff like this: 7904 Hamilton Spring Rd, Bethesda, MD 20817 MLS# mc7389673 - Zillow#

or

6306 Wynkoop Blvd, Bethesda, MD 20817 - Zillow

I know both of those are in MD and you're looking for VA but I'm just picking photos for reference.

I also assume those are not what you are talking about. Could you possibly post a picture of your style? Might give us a better idea.

But, unfortunately, you have landed in the Kingdom of the Georgian Colonial. There's not very many choices.

Also, have you thought of building?

[Doppelganger69]

Good luck! I will be interested to hear if you find something. For all that I enjoy living here, it is pretty much an architectural wasteland. Hollin Hills is an exception, but not convenient for either of you. There is a set of three houses on Buckelew in Falls Church (2505-ish); one of those may come on the market at some point, but last one was, the price point was higher. A few rare souls have taken mid-century raised ranches and returned them to their architectural roots, removing the faux-colonial junk. Perhaps that would be an option, too.

[tenacious-c]

Originally Posted by JfromReston

Here are a couple of homes in Reston you may want to consider
1665 CEDAR HOLLOW WAY, RESTON, VA 20194 - HomesDatabase
1614 WOODSTOCK LN, RESTON, VA 20194 - HomesDatabase

Edited to add one more:
2045 BEACON PL, RESTON, VA 20191 - HomesDatabase

Thanks for the listings-my wife has visited the second one listed. The first one is beautiful-right along the lines of what we're looking for.

I think we want to keep within 20 miles of the NIH in Bethesda, where I will be working. My wife will be at 3 area hospitals in Fairfax, so that's why it's important to be closer to that area (I'll just be at one hospital).

I really, really appreciate everyone's input!

Chris