Ditch Your Commute: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

by Katie Knorovsky

image
United States Patent and Trademark Office

In a new feature this week called Ditch Your Commute, we look at areas that have large employers and the nearby residential options for employees who are tired of commuting. Today, Katie Knorovsky profiles the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

A few blocks from the King Street Metro in Alexandria, the five-building campus for the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) teems daily with 8,900 federal employees. Surrounded by the developing Carlyle neighborhood, the USPTO has served as the area’s unofficial anchor since late-2004. New condos and restaurants have been popping up along neighboring blocks, offering plenty of nearby living options for USPTO employees looking to ditch their commutes.

Unlike Old Town, with its time-weathered row houses and historical charm, Carlyle feels new and sparkles with a not-yet-worn-in gleam. Dominated by high-rises and garden-style condominiums, Carlyle’s real estate market features one-bedroom units starting around $300,000 and two-bedrooms going for more than $400,000, according to Will Nesbitt, principal broker for Condo 1 Alexandria.

Properties

The developments below are in Old Town and Carlyle, and are all within about a 1/2 mile of the USPTO.

The Duke at Old Town is the area’s newest condo community, featuring 18 brick townhomes and roomy “flats” — two-bedroom condos that range in size from 1,311 to 1,571 square feet. Every property comes with two parking spaces. “It’s going to look like Old Town on the outside and act like Carlyle on the inside,” Nesbitt says. The Duke’s model units will open for public viewing on Saturday, October 31st.

Perched above Alexandria’s Westin Hotel, the 79-unit Jamieson offers one, two, and three-bedroom condos from the upper $200s. The building features a rooftop terrace, swimming pool, and reserved parking.

Carlyle Towers led the area’s boom 10 years ago, with three 20-floor luxury towers that house a whopping 549 units. The community also offers an on-site gym, tennis courts, two outdoor pools, shuffleboard court, putting green, and nearby dog park. Trulia lists a one-bedroom, 750-square-foot condo for $400,000 and a two-bedroom, 1,087-square-foot condo for $450,000.

Pros

The market surrounding the USPTO is “as strong as anywhere in the region,” Nesbitt says. “It’s a pleasant place to live, with Metro access, a huge job magnet in the USPTO, and easy access to Old Town, which has as much culture and nightlife as anyplace in Northern Virgina.”

Cons

“Parking is almost impossible,” warns Nesbitt. “Plus, there are only three routes in and out of the neighborhood, and rush hour can get ‘choked up.’” Of course, traffic is not a problem for USPTO employees commuting by foot.

2 Comments

  1. BD said at 12:48 pm on Thursday October 29, 2009:

    One thing to note is that mid-to-senior PTO employees have a lot of telecommuting options as well, so they don’t necessarily need to live close to ease up on the commute.  I have a couple of friends who do this and they say it’s definitely one of the better perks of working at the PTO.

  1. Hank said at 6:41 pm on Friday January 29, 2010:

    I love the Jamieson.  Great looking building and though not a condo hotel, you can take advantage of all the hotel amenities.  Spacious and really luxurious.  Pool, fitness center and great roof deck with views of DC including the Capitol.  They told me they are FHA approved so I plan on checking it out again this weekend for a 1 bedroom.

Join the discussion



* required fields

UrbanTurf Archive

Following are past UrbanTurf stories, organized by topic for your convenience.

Neighborhood Profiles more »

From Seedy to Sought-After: Mount Vernon Triangle Becoming Urban Village

From Seedy to Sought-After: Mount Vernon Triangle Becoming Urban Village

Will Smith
February 1st | 4 Comments

As part of UrbanTurf’s continuing partnership with The Washington Post, we published an article... read »

Editor's Choice more »

DC Condo Fees: From $100 to $1,000

DC Condo Fees: From $100 to $1,000

Michele Lerner
February 2nd | 12 Comments

Condo fees in DC vary significantly from building to building and neighborhood to neighborhood.... read »

New Condo Profiles more »

900 North Washington Street: Old Town Condos Seeing Green

900 North Washington Street: Old Town Condos Seeing Green

Jeremy Castle
January 12th | 0 Comments

900 North Washington Street is a new 57-unit development in Old Town, Alexandria with condos meant... read »

The DC Condo Market more »

The New Condo Market in the DC Metro: A Snapshot

The New Condo Market in the DC Metro: A Snapshot

Will Smith
February 2nd | 2 Comments

Real estate sales and marketing firm McWilliams|Ballard has released a report on the state of the... read »

Green Real Estate more »

Row House Features DC’s First Solar Chimney

Row House Features DC’s First Solar Chimney

Fritz Hubig
January 21st | 4 Comments

When Wayne Shields and Andrew Velthaus approached designer Rick Harlan Schneider of iSTUDIO... read »

Deal of the Week more »

Deal of the Week: New Two-Bedroom For Under $370K in Shaw

Deal of the Week: New Two-Bedroom For Under $370K in Shaw

Mark Wellborn
8:00 AM EST | 0 Comments

We know you missed it last week, but Deal of the Week is back today with a new two-bedroom,... read »

Renting more »

Report Finds DC Rents Rising Faster Than Other U.S. Cities

Report Finds DC Rents Rising Faster Than Other U.S. Cities

Mark Wellborn
February 7th | 1 Comment

If you have thought that your monthly rent has been increasing steadily over the past few years,... read »

Condo Buyers more »

FHA Changes Could Have Substantial Effect on Condo Buyers

FHA Changes Could Have Substantial Effect on Condo Buyers

Tim Brown
February 8th | 0 Comments

A few weeks ago, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) introduced several changes to the... read »

UrbanTurf Reader Asks more »

UrbanTurf Reader Asks: What Will Streetcars Do For Property Values?

What Will Streetcars Do For Property Values?

Mark Wellborn
February 1st | 11 Comments

In this week’s installment of UrbanTurf Reader Asks, a reader who is in the market for his first... read »

Ask an Agent more »

Ask an Agent: Should I Buy a Parking Space That is Separate From My Unit?

Should I Buy a Parking Space That is Separate From My Unit?

Mark Wellborn
December 9th | 2 Comments

In this week's installment of Ask An Agent, a reader who bought a condo last year wonders if he... read »

Best New Listings more »

Best New Listings: Logan Circle and AU Park

Best New Listings: Logan Circle and AU Park (Week of Feb 8th)

Mark Wellborn
February 8th | 0 Comments

This week's Best New Listings include a high-end one-bedroom on the southern edge of Logan Circle... read »

Luxury Real Estate more »

How Much to Live in a Lake Tahoe Ski Villa?

How Much to Live in a Lake Tahoe Ski Villa?

Mark Wellborn
February 5th | 7 Comments

In honor of the snow that just started falling and to make all those skiers and snowboarders out... read »