The quaint 322-acre community of Fairlington lies primarily in Arlington, but a small portion is in the City of Alexandria. It is bordered by Shirlington to the north, King Street to the south, Quaker Lane to the east and S. Walter Reed Drive to the west. Interstate 395 equally divides the neighborhood into its two main areas, North and South Fairlington.

Fairlington is well known for its brick colonial-style homes with slate roofs and its tree-lined streets.

Fairlington History

This massive housing project (3,439 apartments) was financed by the Defense Homes Corporation during World War II. It was built to meet the demand for housing by our nation’s wartime civilian federal workforce. Renowned architects Kenneth Franzheim and Alan B. Mills designed Fairlington in a Colonial Revival style. Fairlington was named for the two counties in which the neighborhood was then located: Fairfax and Arlington (the former Fairfax County section is now part of the City of Alexandria).

Fairlington was converted to condominiums from apartments in 1972. Fairlington was placed on both the National Register of Historic Places and on the Virginia Landmarks Register in 1999. It has also won the “Test of Time” award from the Virginia Society of the American Institute of Architects.

Fairlington Real Estate

Fairlington units come in 19 different models, some of which are townhouse style. Units have from 1-3 bedrooms and 1-3 bathrooms. 1 bedroom, 1 bath units currently sell in the mid-$300s; 2 bedroom, 2 bath units currently sell in the mid-$500s to mid-$600s, and 3 bedroom units start in the upper $600s-$700s.

Sited on 322 acres, Fairlington offers many amenities including plentiful green space, as well as recreational and community spaces. When touring Fairlington homes, note if the pipes have been replaced, as the original ones were made of terra cotta. Note also that due to Fairlington’s historic status, restrictions are in place when residents undertake home improvements.

Fairlington Community

South Fairlington is divided into six villages, each with it’s own condo association, pool, and tennis courts. North Fairlington has just one condo association. All Fairlington residents can join the Fairlington Citizens Association and the Fairlington Historical Society. There are many neighborhood events such as Halloween and holiday parties. There are 12 pools and 26 tennis courts throughout Fairlington. Lots to do!

Fairlington Favorites

Fairlington is walkable to the Bradlee and Fairlington Shopping Centers, as well as the Village at Shirlington. Grab dinner at Busboys and Poets followed by movie in Shirlington. Take the family to Duck Donuts or in Bradlee. Visit Unwined to pick up that special bottle of wine for your next dinner party and Great Harvest Bread for amazingly fresh and delicious scratch-made breads.

Want to know what it’s like to live in Fairlington real estate? No problem! Let’s go on a neighborhood orientation tour.

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