Burke Centre blends nature, planning and community design
Tucked between Fairfax Station and Burke in Fairfax County, Burke Centre represents an innovative feat of 1980s urban planning that blossomed into an award-winning community recognized as one of CNNMoney.com’s best places to live in 2010. The community features 30 miles of paved paths, six ponds, five distinct communities and one lake inside 1,700 acres. Realtor and founder of The CAZA Group at Keller Williams in Gainesville, Matt Megel, grew up in Burke Centre. “What makes this community different is that it was one the earliest large-scale planned communities in Northern Virginia. They laid out five different communities, each with their own amenities, but in such a way that you still have one Giant connected neighborhood.”
Townhouses, condos and single-family homes inside five sections
Each of the five mini-neighborhoods, Commons, Landings, Oaks, Ponds and Woods, features a series of “clusters” comprising similarly sized, styled and priced homes, creating close-knit pockets filled with mature trees and landscaping. For example, in the Oaks, contains a group of late 1970s and ‘80s single-family modern colonial-inspired houses and split levels selling for $500,000 and $600,000. In the Woods, buyers could find several cul-de-sac streets lined with stately single-family homes built from the ‘80s through the modern day listing from $800,000 to $1 million or more. The Commons may feature a group of townhouses listing between $400,000 and $500,000. Finally, a condo cluster in the Landings will likely offer cozy spaces with 1,000 square feet or less, two or three bedrooms and price tags that start in the low to mid-$200,000s.
Fairfax County schools serve Burke Centre with hig rated options
For academics, Fairfax County Public Schools earn an A rating from Niche and Burke Centre is home to two of their elementary schools, Terra Centre Elementary and Fairview Elementary. Terra Centre offers a fittingly innovative history, being one of only two schools in Fairfax in the 1980s to provide an energy-efficient, “underground” design. Megel recalls field days atop the school, which was covered by three feet of earth and solar panels. Redesigned in 2013, today, Terra Centre earns an A-minus rating from Niche. Students can also attend Bonnie Brae Elementary before heading to Robinson Secondary School and Robinson High School.
Outdoor recreation is central to community life
Although Burke Centre boasts a prime Northern Virginia location near major interstates, commercial hubs, large-scale entertainment and Washington, DC, it boasts an active, outdoorsy community. Megel, who actively sells homes here, remembers his childhood “hood” fondly. He says, “Our real point of pride is the trails. There are miles of trails that connect the communities, take you to the community centers, weave past fishing ponds and keep everyone part of the same network.” Dog walkers pass daily along wooded paths, fishermen wind their way along trails to share tall tales at Lake Barton, and families find one another at the playgrounds and parks that pop up around every corner. There are also pools, playgrounds and athletic courts in each community. The neighborhood is also home to Burke Racquet and Swim Club and the Burke Centre Library, an ultra-modern facility with events for all ages.
Dining, shopping and medical care are close to home
Burke Centre offers two fully loaded shopping centers, making many amenities walkable. In the center of the neighborhood stands a Shell gas station, Walmart, Giant, banking and tech services and restaurants dishing up everything from American and Indian to Mexican and Italian fare. To the northwest, the Burke Centre Shopping Center offers a Safeway, CVS, Kohl’s and fast food favorites like Chick-fil-A, Five Guys, Chipotle and McDonald’s. Panisa Thai is known for its exceptional service, elegant interior and authentic flavors. Best of all, these centers are also home to dental and medical services.
