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ORONOCO Community Spotlight "Once The Ugliest Building in Alexandria"

By CHERYL SPANGLER

Real Estate Broker/Owner with FORBZ Real Estate Group 0225066261 VA

August 13, 2016 10:00 AM

Located at 601 N. Fairfax Street, Alexandria VA 22314. The ORONOCO pronounced "or-oh-no-co" was once touted as one of the ugliest buildings in Alexandria got an extreme makeover by EYA builders which started in 2012 and finished in 2014. This building used to be the sheet metal workers pension fund building but after the base realignment was left vacant. You can see below the before and after areal shot showcasing the beauty of what is now one of the most sought after high end condos on the Alexandria Waterfront. Until, that is, EYA builds their next amazing waterfront condominium complex (the Robinson Landing) which is expected Spring of 2017. EYA removed the aluminum exterior, re skinned the brown-brick facade for a red brick one, and installed floor-to-ceiling windows for a better view of the Potomac. With a "less is more" approach, they opted for 60 units rather than the allowed 110. After opening the building as The Oronoco Waterfront Residences in August 2014, almost all of the units sold out within a few months, with prices between $995k to $4.5 MIL.

BEFORE

AFTER

With the intention to market towards empty-nesters, each room was designed to be expansive and "open-style" with a concierge, 24/7 monitoring of the front desk and security in and around the building. The building is now home to a variety of ages including millennials, middle age and empty nester types creating a great environment and a cozy and friendly atmosphere. Urban living at it's finest the condos (both 2 and 3 bedroom) sizing from 1700sf to 3000sf with islands up to 14 feet long inside and exterior terrace with view up to 1000sf.

Some of the many amenities built for the building included:

Dog washing room
Outdoor pool
Fitness center
Yoga Studio
Storage for each unit
Children's playroom
Pet Friendly up to 80lb dogs
Large outdoor terrace as big as 1000 SF
Kitchen Islands that run up to 14 feet long
Underground secured parking garage
Views of the Potomac River
Courtyard interior of the condos
Location specific benefits of living in the Oronoco:

4 miles to Reagan National Airport, 33 miles to Dulles Internatonal Airport and 39 miles to Baltimore Washington International Airport
Adjacent to the Mount Vernon Bike & Running Trail
11 minute walk to the central watefront Torpedo Factory / Art Center main Dock in Alexandria
3 blocks from Trader Joes Grocery as well as Harris Teeter Grocery
Shopping and Restaurant right out your front door and all in walking distance
8 miles to Georgetown University, George Washington University and George Mason University
5 miles the National Harbor right over the Woodrow Wilson Bridge into Maryland