Living in Old Town Alexandria, VA: Neighborhood Guide
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Quick Answer: What Is It Like Living in Old Town Alexandria?
Last updated October 15, 2026.
Quick answer: Old Town is Alexandria’s original 1749 port town on the Potomac River. Its grid holds 18th- and 19th-century rowhouses and townhouses, converted buildings and condos, and most of it is in the Old and Historic Alexandria District, where exterior changes need Board of Architectural Review (BAR) approval. King Street runs from the King Street-Old Town Metro to the waterfront, with a free trolley every 15 minutes, and the lowest blocks near the river flood. Buyers should plan for BAR rules, residential permit parking and flood checks. The details on BAR review and flooding are in our Old Town BAR and flooding guide.
Nikki Lagouros is the #1 selling realtor in Northern Virginia by units sold since 2020, based on RealTrends rankings and her team’s transaction records. Contact Nikki, call 703-596-5065 or send Nikki a text, or start with the citywide Living in Alexandria, VA guide and the Old Town homes for sale.
Named #1 Selling Realtor in Northern Virginia by Units Sold Since 2020
The best way to navigate Old Town’s real estate market is with a knowledgeable realtor who listens, advocates, and works tirelessly for your goals. Nikki Lagouros offers a blend of proven expertise, honest guidance, and commitment to helping clients feel supported throughout every step.
#1 Selling Realtor in Northern Virginia by Units Sold Since 2020
Nikki is the #1 selling realtor in Northern Virginia by units sold since 2020, based on RealTrends’ Virginia sales rankings and her team’s transaction records. See Rankings & Data.
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A Northern Virginia resident since 2006, Nikki’s insights combine real estate market analysis and local expertise. Whether you need house-hunting help for a single-family home or a city condo, she’ll find the perfect fit for your lifestyle.
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As a wife, mom, and military spouse, Nikki understands the personal side of real estate. Whether you’re relocating for military postings or want to sell quickly, she offers thoughtful guidance.
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Old Town History and Overview
A 1749 port town. Alexandria was founded in 1749 on the Potomac River. Old Town is that original grid of rectangular blocks, and the city counts about 200 surviving structures from Alexandria’s early life in the area bounded roughly by the river and Franklin, Washington and Queen Streets.
Part of the capital, then Virginia again. Alexandria became part of the District of Columbia in 1801 and returned to Virginia in 1847. More of that story is in the Living in Alexandria guide.
An early historic district. The Old and Historic Alexandria District, designated in 1946, was the third historic district in the United States. The Parker-Gray district to the northwest followed in 1984. Since 2019 one seven-member BAR has reviewed both.
Old Town today. King Street is the main street, and the city has made its 200, 100 and Unit blocks permanently car-free near the river. Old Town North, between the historic core and the former power plant site, has newer mid-rise condos and townhouses.
Old Town Local Insider: What Longtime Residents Know
Last updated October 15, 2026. Things neighbors often talk about, set next to what the public record shows.
| Topic | What you hear | What we can document |
|---|---|---|
| “Flounder houses” | The half-houses with one blank side wall | City BAR records and the city’s Out of the Attic history series describe Alexandria flounder houses from the late 1700s and early 1800s, including one built around 1807 on Prince Street. |
| Car-free King Street | “The bottom of King Street is closed to cars now” | The 100 block closed in 2020 and was made permanent in October 2021, the Unit block followed in 2022, and City Council voted on Sept. 13, 2025 to make the 200 block permanently car-free too. |
| Where the market went | “The Saturday market moved” | While City Hall and Market Square are renovated, the market runs Saturdays from 7 a.m. to noon on the 100 block of N. Royal St. and the Tavern Square courtyard. |
| Waterfront flooding | King and Union Streets flood after storms and high tides | City data reported by ALXnow counted 227 flooding events at the Prince Street level from January to October 2025. See the BAR and flooding guide. |
Local insider cards:
- Carlyle House, 1753: merchant and town founder John Carlyle completed his stone mansion at 121 N. Fairfax St. in 1753; NOVA Parks runs it as a museum.
- A union station: Alexandria Union Station on Callahan Drive was built in 1905 and still serves Amtrak and VRE.
- Torpedoes to art: the Navy began building the torpedo plant on Nov. 12, 1918, and it opened as the Torpedo Factory Art Center in 1974.
- One board, two districts: City Council appointed a single BAR for the Old and Historic and Parker-Gray districts on Feb. 12, 2019.
Old Town Streets and Housing Types
The Old and Historic Alexandria District generally runs from Hunting Creek north to Bashford Lane and from the river west to near the King Street Metro. Parker-Gray covers the historic Uptown area to the northwest. Use the city’s Historic Preservation Map viewer to check a specific address.
| Housing type | What you’ll see | Buyer notes |
|---|---|---|
| 18th- and 19th-century rowhouses and townhouses | Brick and frame houses built to the sidewalk on the original grid | Windows, doors, roofs and additions visible from a public way need a Certificate of Appropriateness. |
| Flounder houses | Narrow houses with a tall, mostly blank side wall | Often expanded over time; ask for past BAR approvals and permits. |
| Parker-Gray houses | Rowhouses and detached houses in the historic Uptown area northwest of the core | Also a local BAR district with its own design guidelines. |
| Converted buildings and condos | Warehouses and commercial buildings turned into condos, plus newer waterfront buildings | Read the condo budget, reserve study and flood history. |
| Old Town North | Mid-rise condos, apartments and townhouses near the river | Next to the former power plant site, now approved for redevelopment. |
Walkability and Commuting From Old Town
| Option | Where it runs | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Metro (Blue and Yellow) | King Street-Old Town at the west end of King Street; Braddock Road on the northwest side | Both stations serve both lines; the lines split just south of King Street-Old Town. |
| King Street Trolley | King Street between the Metro and the waterfront | Free, about every 15 minutes, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. |
| DASH Line 34 | Lee Center, S. Royal St., N. Fairfax St., Potomac Yard Metro | Seven days a week, about every 30 minutes on weekdays; DASH is fare-free. |
| VRE and Amtrak | Alexandria Union Station, 110 Callahan Dr. | Across from King Street-Old Town Metro; check vre.org for schedules. |
| Mount Vernon Trail | Through Old Town along the river | 18 miles from Theodore Roosevelt Island to Mount Vernon (NPS). |
| George Washington Memorial Parkway | North to Reagan National and Arlington, south to Mount Vernon | Becomes Washington Street through Old Town. |
Travel times vary by block and time of day; Nikki can map your commute for any home you’re considering.
Things to Do in Old Town Alexandria
| Place | What’s there | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| The waterfront | Waterfront Park, Founders Park and Oronoco Bay Park along the river | Waterfront Park is part of the planned flood project; expect work starting as early as 2027. |
| Torpedo Factory Art Center (105 N. Union St.) | Working artists’ studios and galleries in a former Navy torpedo plant | Opened as an art center in 1974. |
| Carlyle House Historic Park (121 N. Fairfax St.) | John Carlyle’s 1753 stone mansion and gardens | Run by NOVA Parks. |
| Gadsby’s Tavern Museum (134 N. Royal St.) | A tavern from about 1785 and the 1792 City Tavern and Hotel | Run by the city. |
| Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum | A historic apothecary and National Historic Landmark | Run by the city’s Office of Historic Alexandria. |
| Old Town Farmers’ Market | Saturday market, temporarily on the 100 block of N. Royal St. | Saturdays, 7 a.m. to noon, during the Market Square renovation. |
Parades and festivals are in the Alexandria events calendar.
What’s Being Built Near Old Town
Status as of October 15, 2026. Full list in the Alexandria development tracker.
- Waterfront Flood Mitigation Project (approved, in design): an enhanced gravity storm sewer system, a new bulkhead and a riverside walkway; construction is projected to start in summer or fall 2027.
- City Hall and Market Square (under construction): a renovation of the building, plaza and garage expected to take about two years from early 2026.
- Old Town North power plant site (approved, phase 1): City Council approved the first phase of the six-block, 19-acre plan on June 13, 2026.
- 598 S. Alfred St. (approved): a 145-unit affordable housing redevelopment approved in December 2025.
- 200 block of King Street (approved): made permanently car-free by City Council on Sept. 13, 2025.
Old Town Taxes, Condo Fees and Parking
- Real estate tax: the City of Alexandria’s calendar year 2026 rate is $1.135 per $100 of assessed value, billed in two halves; the first half was due June 15, 2026 (city notice). City bills also carry a stormwater utility fee and, for homes on city trash collection, a refuse fee.
- Condo and HOA dues: they differ by building and association. Read the resale packet, budget, reserve study, minutes and any pending special assessment before your review period ends.
- Parking: many blocks near Metro and in Old Town are in Residential Permit Parking (RPP) districts, where cars without the district permit face 2- or 3-hour limits posted on each block. Check the block on the city’s parking restrictions and districts page and its interactive parking map. Metered parking in most locations is $2.75 an hour since July 1, 2026.
Old Town Buyer Due-Diligence Checklist
- BAR review: confirm whether the address is in the Old and Historic Alexandria District, the Parker-Gray district or a designated 100-year-old building. Exterior changes visible from a public way need a Certificate of Appropriateness, and removing more than 25 square feet of material needs a Permit to Demolish. Details: Old Town BAR and flooding guide.
- Past approvals: ask the seller for prior Certificates of Appropriateness and permits for windows, additions and decks.
- Flood zones: look up the parcel on FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center, ask whether an elevation certificate exists and get a flood insurance quote.
- Parking: confirm off-street parking or RPP permit eligibility for the block.
- Older buildings: consider a sewer camera inspection and a close look at moisture, roofs and masonry.
- Nearby construction: check the development tracker before paying for a view.
Old Town Homes for Sale
Current Old Town listings from Bright MLS, newest first, filtered to subdivision names containing “Old Town” in ZIP code 22314. The map searches ZIP code 22314, which also covers other neighborhoods.
Old Town Homes and Market Results
Prices in Old Town vary block by block and with the mix of property types that sell, so this guide does not publish a neighborhood median. Ask Nikki for a Bright MLS breakdown for the streets or buildings you are considering. Citywide figures are in the Alexandria market snapshot.
How Nikki’s listings compare with the market (Bright MLS; these figures come from Nikki’s Reston listings, see Rankings & Data):
Old Town Schools: Find the Assigned School
Homes in Old Town are inside the City of Alexandria and are assigned to Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS). Assignments depend on the exact address, so check any home you are considering in the official ACPS school boundaries and Attendance Zone Locator.
More Alexandria Guides
More of Nikki’s Alexandria neighborhood guides:
- Living in Del Ray, Alexandria VA
- Living in Rosemont, Alexandria VA
- Living in Potomac Yard, Alexandria VA
Citywide guides:
- Living in Alexandria, VA: the full Alexandria guide
- Alexandria neighborhoods compared
- City of Alexandria vs. an Alexandria address in Fairfax County
- Buying in Old Town: BAR rules and waterfront flooding
- Alexandria development tracker
- Alexandria events calendar
Nikki’s results are on the Rankings & Data page, and you can contact Nikki any time.
Living in Old Town Alexandria FAQ
Do I need BAR approval to change the outside of an Old Town house?
Usually, yes. In the Old and Historic Alexandria and Parker-Gray districts, exterior changes visible from a public way need a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Board of Architectural Review or city preservation staff. Interior work needs only regular building permits.
Does Old Town Alexandria flood?
Low-lying blocks near the waterfront do. City data reported by ALXnow counted 227 flooding events at the Prince Street level from January to October 2025, and the city’s flood project is projected to start construction in 2027. Check FEMA flood maps for any address.
Which Metro stations serve Old Town?
King Street-Old Town and Braddock Road, both on the Blue and Yellow Lines. The free King Street Trolley runs about every 15 minutes between the King Street Metro and the waterfront.
Is parking hard in Old Town?
Many blocks are in Residential Permit Parking districts, where cars without the district permit face 2- or 3-hour limits. Confirm whether a home has off-street parking or qualifies for a permit before you buy.
Is King Street closed to cars?
The Unit, 100 and 200 blocks of King Street near the river have been approved as permanently car-free. City Council approved the 200 block on Sept. 13, 2025.
What is the property tax rate in Old Town Alexandria?
Old Town is in the City of Alexandria, where the calendar year 2026 real estate tax rate is $1.135 per $100 of assessed value. City bills also include a stormwater fee and, for homes on city trash collection, a refuse fee.
Who is a top realtor for Old Town Alexandria?
Nikki Lagouros is the #1 selling realtor in Northern Virginia by units sold since 2020, based on RealTrends rankings and her team’s transaction records, and she helps buyers and sellers in Old Town and across Alexandria.
Expert Buyer’s Realtor in Old Town, Alexandria
Buying a home can be both exciting and overwhelming. However, Old Town is a competitive market with fast-moving listings and varying price points across neighborhoods. That’s where Nikki Lagouros comes in. As a trusted VA buyer’s realtor in Old Town, Alexandria, she helps buyers find the right home at the right price while guiding them through every step of the process.
With in-depth knowledge of Old Town and the rest of Alexandria, Nikki helps buyers explore homes that align with their goals. As your Old Town realtor, Nikki ensures clients are well-prepared to make competitive offers. Her strong negotiation skills and market insight help secure the best possible deal, while her personalized approach makes the entire experience smooth and enjoyable.
Professional Listing Realtor in Old Town, Alexandria
Selling a home in Old Town, Alexandria, requires careful preparation and expert marketing to attract the right buyers. As your experienced listing realtor in Old Town, Alexandria, Nikki Lagouros brings a results-driven approach to help homeowners confidently navigate the selling process.
From the start, Nikki will help you get your property market-ready through personalized staging, renovation recommendations, and tips for making a strong first impression. Your home will be listed on relevant platforms and have professional photography, virtual tours, and high-quality marketing materials to highlight its unique features.
To ensure your property remains competitive, Nikki sets pricing strategies that are competitive and data-driven. Her listings benefit from a comprehensive marketing plan, including targeted digital advertising and online exposure across top real estate platforms. Work with a house selling realtor in Old Town, Alexandria that ensures your listing stands out, sells faster, and yields maximum returns.
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Search for Your Dream Home in Old Town, Alexandria
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Certified Real Estate Experts in Old Town, Alexandria
Partnering with a certified real estate professional can impact your buying or selling experience. Nikki Lagouros is a respected member of the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and the Northern Virginia Association of Realtors (NVAR). This aligns with her commitment to industry excellence and ethical standards.
As the #1 Selling Realtor in Northern Virginia, Nikki has earned consistent recognition for selling the most properties faster and for more money. With over 10 years of experience serving Northern Virginia, she brings the knowledge, skill, and dedication needed to achieve outstanding results.
Get in Touch With Your
Old Town Real Estate Expert Today
Nikki Lagouros is your reliable partner for buying or selling real estate in Old Town, Alexandria. Connect today to schedule a personalized consultation and take the first step toward your successful real estate experience. See the full 2026 rankings of top realtors in Alexandria VA.
Sources
Sources checked October 15, 2026.
- City of Alexandria: A Brief History of Alexandria; Alexandria sites on the National Register; Out of the Attic: 711 Prince St. (April 29, 2010); Lower King Street Pedestrianization Project; Alexandria Union Station; Farmers’ Markets; Gadsby’s Tavern Museum; Find a Park; Historic Preservation FAQ; Old & Historic Alexandria and Parker-Gray Districts; 2026 first half real estate tax bills (June 2026); Parking restrictions and districts; Parking meter rates from July 1, 2026
- NOVA Parks: Carlyle House Historic Park
- Torpedo Factory Art Center: History
- DASH: King Street Trolley; Schedules and maps
- National Park Service: Mount Vernon Trail
- FEMA: Flood Map Service Center
- ALXnow: Waterfront makeover and flood control plans (Oct. 6, 2026); Old Town North power plant approval (June 15, 2026); 598 S. Alfred St. approval (Dec. 15, 2025)
Photo: Moses Hepburn Rowhouses, North Pitt Street, Old Town Alexandria (2021), by Beyond My Ken, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
