The Rich History of Manassas

Arcadia Run residents know that Manassas has the perfect mix of urban influence and historic charm – with its proximity to Washington, D.C. and quaint Old Town, it’s the ideal combination of old meets new.

But what is it about Manassas that makes it so historic, anyway? Various sites and stories exist, but the following is a list of some of Manassas’s most historically significant sites:

• Manassas National Battlefield Park: Perhaps the most well-known historical attraction in Manassas, the national battlefield park is where the Civil War saw its first major land battle – the name of which would’ve depended on who you asked. The North tended to name battles after nearby rivers, streams and creeks, whereas the South generally named battles after nearby towns or railroad junctions. Hence, the North referred to the battle as The First Battle of Bull Run, referring to nearby Bull Run stream, and the South referred to it as The Battle of First Manassas. This bloody battle in July of 1861 ended in a Confederate victory, and dashed any hopes on either side for a short war. The Union and Confederate forces again clashed on the battlefield here a little over a year later, ending in another Confederate victory at the height of their power.

• Liberia Plantation: The Liberia Plantation was one of the most successful plantations in pre-Civil War Prince William County. During the Civil War, Liberia Plantation served as the headquarters for both Union and Confederate troops – first, as the headquarters for General Pierre Gustave Toutant (aka P.G.T.) Beauregard, a Confederate general who ordered the first shots of the Civil War at Fort Sumter. Later, as Union forces advanced, Liberia Plantation became headquarters for Union general Irvin McDowell – a classmate of Beauregard at the U.S. Military Academy.

o Fun fact: When it was built in 1825, the Liberia Plantation was valued at $2,876 – and although this was a significant amount of money for the time period, it certainly doesn’t seem like much today.

• Manassas Junction rail depot: What is now the city of Manassas has its roots in Manassas Junction, the area where the Orange and Alexandria Railroad intersected with the Manassas Gap Railroad. The aforementioned generals Irvin McDowell and P.G.T. Beauregard both realized the strategic importance of Manassas Junction in the Civil War, as it provided the best overall route to the Confederate capital of Richmond, as well as provided access to Washington, D.C. The highly coveted railroad junction resulted in the nearby battles of Bull Run/Manassas.

• Olde Towne Inn: According to local lore – and firsthand accounts from visitors – the Olde Towne Inn in Old Town Manassas is haunted. The staff affectionately refers to the alleged ghost as “Miss Lucy”, who is said to be a spirit from the Civil War-era that plays pranks on visitors in rooms 50, 52, and 54.

• Manassas Industrial School and Jennie Dean Memorial: The Jennie Dean Memorial is a five-acre park commemorating the Manassas Industrial School for Colored Youth, which originally resided on the land. The Manassas Industrial School was chartered in 1893 by Jennie Dean, a former slave who worked tirelessly to improve education for African American students in Northern Virginia. It took almost a decade to raise the necessary funding for the school, and it remained a private institution until the 1930’s. In 1937, the Fairfax, Fauquier and Prince William County public school systems purchased the land and buildings to create a regional high school for African-American students.

Manassas’ rich history is only a part of the reason it’s one of the best places to live in the Washington, D.C. region. It’s no wonder that so many people are eager to make Manassas’ history a part of their future. And for those apartment hunters who are looking to experience the Manassas in style, our luxury apartments at Arcadia Run are the perfect fit – allowing residents to enjoy modern amenities in one of the most historically significant areas in the state.

SOURCES: Manassascity.org, The History Channel, greatamericanstations.com (The Great American Stations), Potomac Local News, National Park Service

Multifamily Sentiment Remains Positive

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) recently released their Multifamily Production Index (MPI) results for the third quarter of 2013.  Using three key elements, the MPI measures builder and developer confidence levels and outlook on current market conditions for apartments and condominiums.

Like other NAHB indices, any reading above 50 suggests a positive sentiment.  In the case of MPI in the third quarter, the level was reported at 54.  This is the seventh consecutive quarter to produce a positive reading.  The three elements contributing to this new level are: the building of low-rent units, the building of market-rate rental units, and the building of for-sale units.  Despite variations within these sections from quarter to quarter, the overall outlook remains positive.

W. Dean Henry, CEO of Legacy Partners Residential, a leading real estate investment management firm, agrees that the apartment industry is on the upswing. Henry says, “there are challenges still facing the industry … but the demand for apartments and condos is strong enough for developers to proceed in most markets.”

On top of the positive MPI sentiment, the apartment industry also boasts an improving Multifamily Vacancy Index result.  For this index, a lower reading indicates lower vacancies, ultimately a good sign for the multifamily sector.  In the third quarter, the level fell two points to 40.  And, since 2010, the MVI has been steadily improving and stabilizing at healthy numbers.

Here at Arcadia Run, we’re always excited to see growth in the apartment and multifamily sector! Our newly built apartments are some of the best in the Manassas area and are an excellent example of positive production in the industry.  Even better, our apartments define luxury: With features like tall ceilings, vinyl flooring, granite countertops, new carpet and extended windows, these new units could fill up quickly!

And, best of all, Arcadia Run goes above and beyond to provide more than what other apartment communities offer. Here, renters have access to amenities not typically available when renting an apartment.  In the next year alone, we’ll be adding a clubhouse, a swimming pool, ball courts, and a jogging trail to our complex! Finally, an apartment community that can keep up with your active lifestyle!

Source:

The National Association of Home Builders

RIS Media

Renting May Boost Employment

In our current economy, every small step taken to support and strengthen recovery efforts is valuable.  Along with the housing market, the apartment industry has had, and continues to have, a huge influence on local and national economies. This industry adds countless jobs and can bring in incredible revenue for the local areas where an apartment community is placed.

And, as we mentioned in our last blog post, by renting, young professionals can maintain their mobility.  In the long run, this can help more renters find employment and to easily grow within their career.  As you may have guessed, higher employment is always good news for the economy!

In fact, even CNN Money has something to say about it; “encouraging young people to buy a home may be storing up trouble for the future in the shape of higher unemployment.”   The possible weakening in employment would be the result of lower levels of mobility, greater commuting times, and fewer new businesses – obstacles that can be avoided when more people choose to rent.

It’s clear that renting has many more advantages and perks when compared to other living options!  Aside from living active lifestyles without the stresses of home maintenance, renters might have better job prospects too. In Arcadia Run, residents have access to some of the best and most extensive amenities in Manassas.  Our apartments are brand new and are available in a variety of floor plans with plenty of styles to choose from.  Residents can join a great community that offers so much, all while enjoying this charming and historic town!

Source: CNN Money

Renting ‘Just Makes Sense’ For Many

Deciding whether to rent or buy a home can be very challenging. Economists and industry experts everywhere are pegging this year to be one of the best to buy a home. Conversely, some of the same experts and industry leaders are advocating for the opposite – saying that it’s a prime market for renters. For many, renting just makes sense – financially and logistically. Here’s why:

They don’t want the hassle of homeownership.
Sure, the idea of homeownership may be tantalizing. Before the recession, owning a home nearly guaranteed financial security. Today, it’s considered to be a huge gamble. This stress alone is enough for many to rent instead. And, the risks of buying a home go far beyond financial strains – losing your home can mean losing everything you’ve worked for. This is the very reason why more and more people are choosing to rent. It dodges the risks of buying a home yet allows the tenant to live in a place they love, like Manassas.

They want to stay active.
Arcadia Run might very well be the most active apartment community in Northern Virginia. With amenities that can keep up with our lively residents, and a wide selection of floor plans, our complex is the only choice. And, aside from staying physically active, many choose to rent in order to maintain mobility in their career. Who knows where they’ll be in 10 years, let alone the next 30?

The apartment market is as promising as the housing market.
Many people unfairly label the apartment industry as a fleeting or non-beneficial investment. The truth is, the apartment market has mirrored the housing market almost identically. So as housing has continued its recovery over this year, so has the apartment industry. The planning, building, and renting of an apartment complex, as well as the residents’ use of local businesses, provides an unprecedented financial boost to the economy. In 2011, the apartment industry and its residents, contributed $1.1 trillion to the national economy. They also supported nearly 25.4 million jobs across the country.

While deciding to rent or to buy will always be a hot debate, one of the best places to rent in Northern Virginia is Arcadia Run. Our luxury apartments give renters the most options possible in Manassas and provide stress-free living for countless tenants. With building maintenance, resident amenities, and prime location in a Washington D.C. metro, apartment living couldn’t get any better than this!

Source: The National Multi Housing Council

Home Affordability Sinks Once Again

Living in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area means searching endlessly to find the perfect home or apartment for the perfect price. With an area that is known for its affluence, it can be difficult to find something with a reasonable price tag. To make finding a home even more difficult, improvements in the economy are pushing home affordability down.

While headlines everywhere read how the housing market is prime for buying a home, the fact of the matter is that these same improvements are keeping many people from moving into a place they love. In an article published by NBC News, home affordability has sunken to its lowest in nearly five years. And according to Lawrence Yun, the chief economist for the National Association of Realtors, affordability has fallen this low because “home price increases easily outpaced income growth.” He also noted that “expected rising mortgage interest rates will further lower affordability in the upcoming months.”

On top of national home affordability, these same issues hit closer to home. In recent survey conducted by the Urban Land Institute, a real estate research group, 89 percent of respondents in the Washington D.C. market felt that the region’s lack of affordable housing was “very severe” or “somewhat severe”. While this news might be unfortunate for some, it’s encouraging to the multi-housing and apartment industries.

In Manassas, many people smartly opt to rent a luxury apartment in Arcadia Run. Renters can easily avoid the stresses and financial strains of the ever-changing housing market by renting instead of buying.

Why shell out money to buy a home, pay for homeowners insurance or put endless work and money into home maintenance when you can have it all included with your monthly rent? In Arcadia Run, residents have many more options than they ever would if buying a home. Between the amenities and variations in floor plans and prices, guests in Arcadia Run have everything they need to live the active lifestyle they desire.

Without the stresses of homeownership, renters can enjoy their time in Arcadia Run and get the most out of their apartment community. They will have access to a planned clubhouse, pool, gym, walking and biking trails, and will live only a few minutes from historic downtown Manassas and Jiffy Lube Live. With so much to look forward to when renting in Arcadia Run, why would you want to live anywhere else?

Source:

NBC News

The Washington Post