Mason District is a treasure trove of modern architecture
A survey of modern architecture in Fairfax County lists 151 properties, neighborhoods, and commercial developments built between 1950 and 1985 that could be historically significant.
The study includes dozens of properties in Mason District, including a retail strip in Annandale, homes in Lake Barcroft, and office buildings in Seven Corners.
The study was carried out by the Dovetail Cultural Resources Group for the Virginia Department of Historic Resources’ Cost Share Survey and Planning Grant Program. That program helps local governments identify cultural and historic resources, giving priority to the recent past.
Dovetail’s report provides a historic context for the projects in the survey and makes recommendations for future preservation planning projects.
If further research determines the buildings highlighted in the report are of architectural significance they could be nominated for inclusion in the Fairfax County Inventory of Historic Sites, the Virginia Landmarks Register, or the National Register of Historic Places.
“During and following World War II, Northern Virginia experienced unprecedented growth driven by the demand for suburban housing, first in neighboring Arlington County and the City of Alexandria, then spilling into Fairfax County,” the report states.
While many of the new developments adopted traditional architectural styles, “Fairfax County is also home to a high concentration of modern architecture,” it states. Some of these buildings have already been torn down, and “others are under imminent threat.”
The Dovetail researchers evaluated each property listed in the report to determine whether it merits consideration for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places under the NRHP’s Criterion C. Buildings that qualify under Criterion C are considered an architect’s principal work, won an architectural award, retain a high level of overall historic integrity, or are a unique example of a particular style.
Following are some of the modern architectural treasures listed in the report.
Individual houses
The Goodman Butterfly House at 6519 Lakeview Drive in Lake Barcroft (built in 1953), is potentially eligible under Criterion C.
Designed by Charles Goodman, it is “an excellent representation of the International style in residential architecture,” the report says. It has a rare “butterfly roof” and retains a high level of integrity of materials, design, and workmanship.
The Goodman House at 3508 Stoneybrae Drive in Lake Barcroft (1953), also designed by Charles Goodman in the International style, is also recommended for inclusion in the NRHP. It features an asymmetrical shed roof with exposed rafters.
The report also lists the Nisselson House at 6122 Beachway Drive in Lake Barcroft (1955) and a house at 3601 Whispering Lane in Falls Church (1953). The researchers found them ineligible under Criterion C but recommends further study under other criteria.
Multifamily housing
The report lists two multifamily housing projects in Mason District that are potentially eligible under Criterion C:
- The Annandale Healthcare Center at 6700 Columbia Pike in Annandale was built in 1961 by Vosbeck-Ward Associates in the Contemporary style with elements of NeoExpressionism.
- The Seven Corners Apartments (originally known as Willston Apartments) on John Marshall Drive in Seven Corners has elements of the International and Colonial Revival styles. The construction of the apartments in 1951 initiated growth within the Seven Corners area.
Residential subdivisions
The study found two subdivisions – Lake Barcroft Estates and Bodor’s Addition to Raymondale – potentially eligible for the NRHP.
Col. Joseph Barger, backed by a group of investors from New England, purchased 750 acres in 1950 to create Lake Barcroft Estates, a subdivision with 1,250 lots.
Bodor’s Addition consists of 11 single-family houses on Sheffield Lane in Falls Church. The homes were designed by Andre Bodor and constructed in the Contemporary style in 1961.
The researchers also looked at Annanwood, a neighborhood of 22 single-family homes in Annandale, but found its association with a well-known architect, Charles Goodman, not enough to make it eligible for the NRHP.
Retail centers
The Annandale Business Center, at 4221 Tom Davis Drive in Annandale (1964) is potentially eligible under Criterion C. The report calls the retail strip, designed by Donald Olivola, “an outstanding example of the Googie style,” which references the space age and is characterized by bold geometric shapes, starburst images, and cantilevered rooflines.
The researchers also considered the Culmore Shopping Center on Leesburg Pike (1951), the Jefferson Village Shopping Center on Arlington Boulevard (1947), and Ross Dress for Less and the Seven Corners Shopping Center (1955), but found they had been altered to such a degree that they lack historic integrity.
Commercial buildings
Another Googie-inspired building, the Bowlero bowling alley (1960) at 4245 Markham St. in Annandale, is deemed ineligible for the NRHP, but deemed worthy of further study.
The report calls the Doctor’s Building (1964) at 6316 Castle Place in Seven Corners a unique example of the International style – with an inset diamond pattern on its façade and partially cantilevered second and third stories – and thus worthy of consideration for the NRHP. It’s considered the principal work of architect Albert Lueders.
The report also found the Sears building (1965) at 6211 Leesburg Pike in Seven Corners and the Anser Building (1960) at 5613 Leesburg Pike in Bailey’s Crossroads potentially eligible. The Anser Building is being demolished to provide a parking lot for the McDonald’s next door, however, and a developer has proposed replacing Sears with multifamily housing.
Some of the other commercial buildings determined ineligible but worth further study include an office building at 4215 Evergreen Lane in Annandale, the 3United Service Station at 4316 Ravensworth Road in Annandale, Crossroads Cycle at 5715 Leesburg Pike in Bailey’s Crossroads, and the Seven Corners Laundromat (formerly Hot Shoppes Jr.) at 6333 Leesburg Pike in Seven Corners.
High rises
Mission Lofts at 5600 Columbia Pike in Bailey’s Crossroads (1966) is potentially eligible for the NRHP as it appears to be one of the few examples of a building in Fairfax County inspired by the influential architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe.
Other buildings potentially eligible, include:
- The Lee Building at 5881 Leesburg Pike in Bailey’s Crossroads (1966),
- The office building at 5611 Columbia Pike in Bailey’s Crossroads (1964),
- The office building at 5622 Columbia Pike in Bailey’s Crossroads (1964), and
- The Mark Building at 6231 Leesburg Pike in Seven Corners (1968).
Related story: Bailey’s Crossroads office building played a key role in the Cold War
Heritage Building I at 7617 Little River Turnpike in Annandale (1970) is one of several high rises listed as worthy of further study. Designed in the New Formalist style by Donald Hogan Misner, it appears to retain a fair amount of integrity in design, materials, and workmanship.
Other buildings
The Willston Multicultural Center (formerly Willston Elementary School) at 6131 Willston Drive, in Seven Corners (1950), could be eligible for the NRHP because it has not been notably altered and retains a high level of historic integrity.
Among other buildings deemed worthy of further study: Embassy 220 Volt (formerly Des-Mar Ceramics) at 5810 Seminary Road in Bailey’s Crossroads (1956), the ACCA Child Development Center (formerly Annandale Elementary School) at 7200 Columbia Pike in Annandale (1951), Belvedere Elementary School at 6540 Columbia Pike in Falls Church (1955), and St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church at 3241 Brush Drive in Falls Church (1956).
6 responses to “Mason District is a treasure trove of modern architecture”
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Many of these are, indeed, gems of different architectural styles. There is a simple beauty in the nostalgia many evokes. It’s a shame that so many–like the photos demonstrate of the Doctor’s Building and Annandale Business Center–are surrounded by shoddy expanses of asphalt that detract from their presentation. It would be nice if our green-minded supervisor could work on ways–public and private–of improving the attractiveness of core business zones within Mason District.
The Sears building was originally a Lord and Taylor. There was a lunch room in the round area upstairs called The Bird Cage. We took my grandmother there.
The whole Seven Corners – Baileys Crossroads area was a great place to shop.
And remember the stone house with the wonderful garden that was demolished for the route 7 – Columbia Pike interchange? All that remains is the wind vane.
Wow! So many treasures right in our neighborhoods! Maybe I can be preserved too as I am also “mid-century modern.” 😄
Lol this is a nice way of saying Annandale is very outdated
I”d rather give the $50M this survey cost to teachers. Some of the properties are eyesores. Yes, the Lord and Taylor building is a gem but the Culmore shopping center needs to be raised. Focus on the most important properties. Just because something had an architect doesn’t mean it is historic.
I grew up in the northern Virginia area and still miss it terribly. I get back every now and again to see friends and extended family.
I have always loved, loved, loved the architectural gems of the area; some of the ones noted here, as well as Dulles Airport, the many buildings on the mall in DC (museums and such), and more. It’s such a character-rich region. Nowadays everything is a quickly assembled rectangular object that matches every other one.
I’m glad that people are looking into these and are acknowledging their historic value.