Fairfax City Virginia Real Estate

Fairfax City Virginia Real Estate

Rated in May, 2009 as #3 in the "Top 25 Places to Live Well" by Forbes Magazine. The City of Fairfax is an independent city within the confines of Fairfax County. Funny enough, although politically independent of the surrounding county, the City is nevertheless the home of Fairfax County’s courthouse complex.

The city gets its name from Thomas Fairfax, 6th Lord Fairfax of Cameron, who was awarded five million acres in land by King Charles. The town was officially renamed the Town of Fairfax in 1874, and became an independent city in 1961 (upon which it acquired its current name, the City of Fairfax).

Fairfax City has numerous buildings significant in our history. The former Fairfax County Courthouse is the oldest and most historic building in Fairfax.The courthouse changed hands repeatedly during the civil war, and the first officer casualty, John Quincy Marr, occurred on the grounds. Its design was used as a prototype for many Virginia courthouses built between 1800 and 1850. The first meeting of the Fairfax Court was held April 21, 1800. During the American Civil War the Courthouse was used by the union forces as military headquarters which resulted in the damage or loss of several records.

One of the oldest buildings in the city is what used to be an elementary school built in 1873. The Fairfax Elementary School remains the oldest two story building the city has ever seen and was built for an outrageous $2,750. This building reflects a new era of free public education in Virginia and the growth of the Fairfax area. On July 4, 1992, the building was renovated and opened as the Fairfax Museum and Visitor Center.

The Old Town Hall is the social and architectural cornerstone of Fairfax; Joseph Edward Willard had it built in 1900 as a gift to Fairfax. It now houses the Huddleson Library, the Fairfax Art League, and can be rented out for weddings as well as business meetings.

Dining

Beginning in June 2005, Old Town Fairfax has undergone an extensive redevelopment bringing with it numerous restaurants.   One of our favorites is Choices by Shawn—it is a hidden gem with delicious ice cream. For bagels and deli sandwiches we love Main Street Bagels and for Mexican try Coyote Grille and Cantina. . If you like Indian food, Bombay Bistro has gotten good reviews as well as Bollywood Bistro and for Italian, Villa Mozart in the heart of the city is great. Along the Route 50 (Fairfax Boulevard) corridor, Arties on Old Lee Highway is one of our favoites and the fresh pasta at Dolce Vita is great!.

Annual Events

Around the time of Valentine's day, a Chocolate Lover's Festival is held in the heart of Old Town Fairfax. Events have included craft shows, historic building open houses, children's activities, collections of vendors selling various edible chocolate products, and even chocolate sculpture contests.

Every other year in the Spring, a Civil War re-enactment camp is held at the Blenheim estate, a city-owned historical property. The encampment features military muster, drill, and firing demonstrations. Alternating with the Civil War encampment is an Historic Homes Tour of homes in the city.

Each April, the City of Fairfax, in cooperation with George Mason University, Northern Virginia Community College, and City of Fairfax schools, sponsors the Spotlight on the Arts Festival. The Festival runs for three weeks and features music, dance, theater, art, and choral concerts. Events take place at venues throughout the city and the colleges.

  • Fairfax Fine Arts Festival

Late April, early May Fairfax Corner hosts the Fairfax Fine Art Festival, a juried art show offering extraordinary original art for sale, including the works of painters, sculptors, photographers, jewelers, digital artists, glass, fiber and ceramic artists along with creations in mixed-media, metal, and wood.

  • National Trails Day

In June, a National Trails Day is held to celebrate the trails, open spaces and parks in the City of Fairfax.

  • Independence Day Celebration Parade and Evening Show

The largest hometown parade and fireworks celebration in the Washington metropolitan region is held in the City of Fairfax. The day's events include a parade through downtown Fairfax, tours of historic buildings and local museums, an Old Fashioned Fireman's Day at the Company 3 fire station, and a live concert and fireworks display at Fairfax High School.

  • Irish Festival

In September, a festival of Irish and Celtic song, dance, and music is held.

The City of Fairfax has a new regional public library building that was completed in 2008. Each fall, the Fall for the Book Festival features readings, discussions, lectures, and exhibits from nationally-recognized writers and professionals. The program is coordinated with a school-wide reading project, "All Fairfax Reads".

  • Fall Festival

A Fall Festival is held in historic downtown Fairfax on the second Saturday in October. This event includes more than 500 arts, crafts, and food vendors, and is usually held outdoors on the streets of the City. Attendance is about 35,000 to 45,000.

  • The Holiday Craft Show

An annual Holiday Craft Show is held at Fairfax High School on the third Saturday and Sunday of November. The event features hundreds of craft vendors. Attendance is about 8,000 to 10,000.

  • Festival of Lights & Carols

In December, the Parks Department holds a Festival of Lights and Carols. Activities include photos with Santa, caroling, a yule log, hot mulled cider, illumination of historic downtown Fairfax, and the lighting of the City tree. 

 

Education

  • Public Schools

The public schools in the City of Fairfax are owned by the city, but administered by the Fairfax County Public Schools system. Fairfax City schools include Fairfax High School, Lanier Middle School, Daniels Run Elementary School, Eagle View Elementary School, and Providence Elementary School.

  • Universities

George Mason University, the largest university in the Commonwealth of Virginia, is located just to the south of the Fairfax city limits. The Fairfax campus contains such facilities as the Center for the Arts complex, the Patriot Center, a 66,000-square-foot Aquatic and Fitness Center, and a 113,900-square-foot Recreation Sports Complex

  • Libraries

The City of Fairfax Regional Library in Fairfax was newly constructed in 2008. The library includes the Virginia Room, a collection of books, photographs, and manuscripts related to Fairfax County history, government, and genealogy.

Transportation

  • Roads

The intersection of US-50 and US-29 is located within the city. The two major highways join together to form Fairfax Boulevard for approximately 2.8 miles (4.5 km) before separating. VA-123 and VA-236 both pass through the city. VA-236 is named Main Street in the city (though it diverts onto North Street for about three blocks in Old Town Fairfax) and then becomes Little River Turnpike once the city line is crossed. In addition, I-66 is located along the northern border of the city.

  • Public Transportation

The City of Fairfax operates its own independently, and networks with four routes, called the CUE bus.

Housing

Fairfax City offers everything from million dollar homes, to condominiums, to two car garage townhouses. Some of the two car garage townhomes which are walkable to the center of the city include those in Chancery Square, Crestmont, and Courthouse Square. Farrcroft, which is also walkable to Old Town Fairfax,  is an upscale development which includes luxury townhouses and detached homes.