5-in-1 Community Is Still a Discovery
Complexes Offer Choices Alongside Indian History

By Ann Cameron Siegal
Special to The Washington Post
Saturday, March 24, 2007

Stonegate may look like just another townhouse development, but there are surprises within.

Before the townhouses and condominiums appeared, before the landscaped pocket parks blossomed, local archaeologists bubbled with excitement about the historical significance of the 23-acre site in Alexandria's West End.

In fact, Alexandria's first archaeological preserve is creek-side in Stonegate. During pre-construction digs in 1992-95, artifacts were found indicating that Stonegate is the oldest tool-working site in Alexandria.

Several uncovered "chipping clusters" and projectile points ranging from 3,500 to 1,000 B.C. led researchers to believe the site served as several temporary settlements where Native Americans would form tools from cobbles found in the streambed, said Fran Bromberg, a preservation archaeologist with Alexandria's Archaeology Museum.

"You could almost visualize where the people were sitting with the cluster of flakes around them," Bromberg said.

Older artifacts, dating to 6,500 years ago, were also found, Bromberg said, but they are considered "dropped finds" that early people probably brought from elsewhere.

Diggers also found pottery shards bearing cord markings and net impressions. "This is extremely important to Alexandria," Bromberg said, because these findings, dating from 1,000 B.C. to 200 A.D., suggest later temporary settlements where Native Americans may have come together for seasonal activities such as spring fish runs.

From an archaeological viewpoint, Bromberg said, there are still many research questions about the site worth pursuing. That's why the preserve is so important. "It's there for the future," she said.

Today, Stonegate hugs both sides of West Braddock Road on a rise between North Van Dorn Street and Northern Virginia Community College's Alexandria campus. The community is made up of five separate neighborhoods -- four small townhouse communities and one garden-style condominium community -- each with its own features, personality and board of directors.

However, "Stonegate" is the only sign you'll see. The individual community designations are obvious only to residents and real estate agents.

There's a bit of friendly competition among the communities. One claims to be the greenest, another touts its spacious driveways while pointing out that in another section cars must be parked at an angle to fit. "We have bigger back yards." "Our floor plans are better for entertaining." Some homes have wood-burning fireplaces in the kitchens, and others have master bedroom suites where the bathroom is on a raised level.

There is something for just about every taste -- as long as you like stairs, because all the varied floor plans are multi-level.

The choices make Stonegate an ideal move-up community, said Scott Schiavone, a financial planner, who moved from the Manors at Stonegate condominiums to one of the townhouses. "My wife and I looked all over, but realized that we loved where we were -- we just wanted more space," he said. "People can find the variety they want and still have a common experience."

Cidney Quenzel, president of Stonegate Mews association, lived in the condos for six years before moving to her townhouse a year ago. Stonegate's convenient location and its mix of people of different ages appealed to her.

She said, "If you're always racing against time, this is a perfect location."

Each Stonegate community takes pride in landscaping and offers examples of how to make the most of small spaces. Soon, the azaleas and dogwoods will start to flower profusely; warmer weather will bring out the crape myrtles. "When it blooms here, it's like a botanical garden," Quenzel said.

Highpointe at Stonegate, with 147 townhouses, is the newest section, built between 1996 and 2000. Here, a storm-water runoff pond between townhouse rows became an attractive, useful area with the installation of raised walkways and water-loving plants, including weeping willows and cypress trees. A second area is about to get the same treatment.

Highpointe's townhouses really are at the highest point. Olga Thomas, that association's secretary, enjoys views of the District's fireworks and the Washington National Cathedral from the upper level of her three-bedroom, 4 1/2 -bath townhouse.

At the Hamptons at Stonegate, 85 townhouses with double decks and Palladian windows have a bird's-eye view of the archaeological preserve and a walking and exercise trail below.

The 79 townhouses of Stonegate Mews are the smallest in square footage, but that cluster runs the only pool and clubhouse in the community. Condo residents are also members. A handful of residents from other parts of Stonegate have guest memberships.

The pool is "a welcome feature, now that we have kids," said Kim Whittaker, who moved to Stonegate Mews five years ago.

With five different boards in Stonegate, communication can sometimes falter. Highpointe's Thomas would like the five communities to share a Web site, so that concerns and information could be shared more efficiently.

Association-driven activities are limited. "People are not here to party," said Dina Biblin, association president for one of the townhouse clusters, called Stonegate Foundations. She described residents as "high-end professionals" with correspondingly busy work schedules.

However, there are a few regular events. Residents of Kell Lane are known for organizing chili cookoffs or appetizer contests in the spring and fall, both for fun and to raise money for charity. Jim and Barbara Atherton, who live on the lane, are members of a local bluegrass band, the Pluckers, that provides entertainment.

In Highpointe, Michael Perez, a management consultant who describes himself as "a business owner with a dog," brings his springer spaniel, Bailey, to an annual doggie party, complete with birthday cake for the community's canines.

Quenzel said that it has been easier to get to know her neighbors since she got a West Highland terrier. Dog walkers are plentiful in Stonegate. "At 6:30 in the morning, this place is hopping," she said.