Information Page by Mike Andrew, REALTOR®
Alexandria, Virginia · Near Shirlington
Parkfairfax is a 132-acre condominium neighborhood in northwestern Alexandria, with brick garden-style buildings, wooded grounds and winding streets near Shirlington and I-395. Built between 1941 and 1943, its 1,684 homes include several layouts and building arrangements. Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford both lived here before becoming president, and the neighborhood is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Parkfairfax is a condominium neighborhood in northwestern Alexandria, near Shirlington and I-395. Its 1,684 homes occupy a landscaped 132-acre setting, with brick buildings, shared green spaces and winding streets.
Built for the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company between 1941 and 1943, Parkfairfax provided housing as the federal workforce expanded during World War II. The neighborhood is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Parkfairfax is in northwestern Alexandria, just southeast of I-395 and near Shirlington. Preston Road and Beverley Drive help locate the neighborhood on the map.
The brick-red line shows the Parkfairfax Historic District boundary from the City of Alexandria’s GIS data.
Parkfairfax has one-, two- and three-bedroom condominium homes, including layouts on more than one level. Buildings sit among shared lawns, trees and pedestrian routes rather than following a single continuous street frontage. Floor plans and alterations vary, and the condominium documents explain which maintenance belongs to the owner and which belongs to the association.
The condominium association provides detailed references for the buildings, grounds and day-to-day resident services.
The association’s map directory includes laundry and storage rooms, woodland areas, tot lots, election wards and building unit counts. It also links a wood-and-concrete subfloor map, a useful starting point when researching a particular building.
The new-resident guide explains how to obtain the picture access card used for the pools, fitness center and maintenance yard. It also directs residents to Buildium for maintenance work orders and explains where to ask about repair responsibilities.
Two future U.S. presidents lived in Parkfairfax before moving to the White House. Virginia historic register
The historic-district nomination records Nixon at 3426 Gunston Road from October 1943 to June 1944. He later returned to Parkfairfax, living at 3538 Gunston Road from April 1947 to June 1951. Read more
The Fords lived at 1521 Mount Eagle Place while Gerald Ford served in Congress. In 1955 they moved to Crown View Drive in Alexandria’s Clover neighborhood, where they remained until shortly after he became president in 1974. Read more
A bronze plaque commemorating Ford’s years in Parkfairfax was documented on his former home in June 1980. Its present-day display has not been verified. Read “Ford Slept There So Price Is Up” — page A8, lower-left column
Parkfairfax entered the National Register of Historic Places on February 22, 1999, recognizing its wartime housing design and historical significance. Read more
These former homes are private residences. The City of Alexandria’s Ford history and the historic-district nomination provide more background.
Browse listings on Mike Andrew’s real estate website. You can change the map area, price, bedrooms and other search filters there.
Search current listings in ParkfairfaxOpens the live search on mikeandrew.homes.
The association’s official website for resident resources, governing documents and community services.
Association links for floor plans, maps and resident reference information.
Arlington Public Library branch serving nearby Shirlington, with its current hours and events.
The city’s account of the Ford family’s years in Parkfairfax and later in the Clover neighborhood.
No. They are separate neighborhoods near Shirlington and I-395. Parkfairfax is in Alexandria; Fairlington is primarily in Arlington, with a small part in Alexandria.
Their Parkfairfax residences predated their presidencies. Ford later lived on Crown View Drive in Alexandria, including the first days of his presidency in August 1974.
The Parkfairfax Condominium Unit Owners Association publishes resident information, governing documents and resource links on its official website. Use current association and property documents for fees, rules and responsibilities.
For current community rules and services, use the relevant association or government source.
Thinking about buying or selling in Parkfairfax, or just have a question? Send Mike a message and he’ll get back to you personally.
Mike is a Northern Virginia real estate agent with REAL Broker, based in Reston.