Arcturus, VA Homes For Sale
From lovely old historic properties to new custom homes for sale, Arcturus is an idyllic waterfront community along the Potomac River in Alexandria, Virginia. This is a subdivision of the larger Fort Hunt, and has seen a leisurely pace of development over the years.
This southern portion of Alexandria was once home to massive tobacco plantations. George Washington’s River Farm is to the north and his famed Mount Vernon estate lies to the south. Residential development in Arcturus began in the early 1900s with a few summer homes cropping up here and there along the river’s edge. It was a popular retreat for Washington DC high-society types in those days, as was much of the Alexandria coastline.
Development continued gradually over the ensuing decades, with an interesting variety of architectural influences. This is most certainly not a cookie cutter neighborhood. You’ll find old Victorian farmhouses, Colonial Revivals and a fascination with the international flavor, such as Italianate, Mediterranean and Spanish. There’s a lot of stucco in Arcturus which is somewhat unusual in a region so associated with traditional brick and clapboard.
Homes for sale in Arcturus don’t come cheap—prices often start around the million dollar mark, with recent sales climbing as high as $9 million. Also, due to the small size of the neighborhood, active listings can be hard to come by. But if you can find an available property, and afford it, this is certainly one of the region’s most desirable enclaves.
The great outdoors is one of the obvious attractions here, from strolling along Mount Vernon Trail to sailing on the Potomac—many waterfront residences have their own private docks! For more urban pleasures, Old Town Alexandria and DC itself are close by—just head up the George Washington Memorial Parkway. Local schools include Waynewood Elementary, Carl Sandburg Middle School and West Potomac High. To learn more about homes for sale in Arcturus, call District Partners at Compass, (202) 798-3600.