Doug Francis | Realtor

  • About Doug
  • Services
  • Sell Your Home
  • Case Studies
  • Get Started

Radical Changes on Church Street

August 31, 2012 By Doug Francis

Church Street Vienna Virginia retail site

Appealing future store front
Camera+ photo by Doug Francis

As I stopped into my local coffee shop on Church Street in Vienna, I scanned some of the local headlines on my iPhone.

One headline teaser caught my eye:

Proposed Parking Garage

“makes no sense”

Since I was sitting there in Caffè Amouri pleasantly surprised to see it packed, had seen dozens of people walking down the street and on the W&OD bike path, and easily found a place to park in front of the Freeman House, that headline made me think about the future of “walkable” Vienna. There are some really positive things going on along that little commercial section of town that did not exist twenty years ago when my office was on the corner of Maple and Mill.

Back then, a plan to make Church Street more appealing went into effect which fixed the sidewalks, put in planters, streamlined the telephone poles, and laid the groundwork for a reinvigorated downtown area away from the traffic of Maple Avenue. That was radical and their “vision” is something we are benefiting from today.

These shops and restaurants are local

The parking garage story caught me by surprise since I had just admired a retail building that is being renovated to be a really charming destination location for a lucky retailer. Just last year it housed a small toy store named Once Upon a Time, and hopefully it will become another local retailer (read as:not a chain store).

Renovations like this bring excitement!

You see, the shops and restaurants along Church Street are local and provide a unique sense of community, and these are the things that are appealing to people who live here or are trying to find when they are relocating. Here is a realistic scenario: walk to the Town Green to see a free concert, then decide to eat at Bazin’s or Church Street Pizza, have dessert at Sweet City and then stroll over to Caffè Amouri.

All unique and really cool local establishments.

Now, the parking garage does seem like overkill to me, but I have often dined at Bazin’s and parked in their underground garage which really made the evening go much smoother. It did not take away from the small town charm but allowed us to park without the hassle of driving around the block to park in front of someone’s home.

I feel lucky to live here, and to help people buy homes who are hoping to get established in this community… especially where local people are investing in a unique area, and the community is responding with enthusiastic support.

Related articles
  • Vienna Bakery Bake-off
  • The New Home Timeline
  • A Pothole for Virginia Home Buyers
Share this with a friend...Share on FacebookTweet about this on TwitterShare on LinkedInPin on PinterestEmail this to someone

Filed Under: Blog, Living Here Tagged With: 22180, Vienna Virginia

About Doug Francis

A Realtor specializing in unique and new homes around Vienna, Virginia, Doug started writing a first-hand blog about his everyday real estate experiences a decade ago. In-depth, helpful and fun has always been the objective. Outside real estate, he was profiled in a commercial for Verisign's "Where the World Clicks" global ad campaign, and was quoted in Money Magazine's Best Places to Live article on Vienna (#3!). He's a Boston University graduate who feels morning coffee is non-negotiable.

Vienna real estate agent Doug Francis

I’m so excited that you found me! Yes, this site covers real estate, but also a lot about lifestyle and  living in Vienna, Virginia outside Washington, D.C.

There is a lot of info here, and you can also contact me with any specific real estate questions. And, at home consultations are available too.

My background… I’ve been an active licensed agent in Virginia for 25 years, work at TTR Sotheby’s International Realty in McLean, and sell homes in all price ranges. I donate to the Town of Vienna tree replacement fund, participate in a neighborhood citizens association, and try my best to stay in shape.

Let me help you: Email doug@dougfrancis.com or call me at (703) 304-6827 to discuss your plans. Cheers!

Filmed in Vienna and McLean

https://youtu.be/ClqEIV1zoQg

Planning to sell your home?

Case Studies

Listing Case Studies Continue Reading

Thinking of Moving?

If you want to talk about your house and getting it ready for the market then let's set up a time to talk. Even if it's a second opinion, it's okay. Start here.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Have a question?

Homeowners: Add a level of privacy

name withheld by request

Privacy: Hiding your name

Looking for testimonials?

Read through a collection of client comments originally posted on Zillow, Google and Trulia. See what my clients say...

Looking for a Custom Home?

Insights into New Homes in Vienna VA

The Wire Fraud Warning

I sat in on a presentation by an FBI Special Agent who discussed many types of financial fraud which are being used across the internet. Victims are everywhere including real estate buyers and investors, to lonely widows in romance scams who unwittingly launder large sums of money for fraudsters. But let’s just focus on Real […]

“Doug nailed it! Within days, we had three offers, one of which not only met, but far exceeded all of our goals.”
– R. Pollard

“He truly was a partner integrating us unto the community and made it easy for us to take advantage of all Vienna has to offer.”
– A. D’Eredita

“We are so thankful we found Doug to guide us through the complex home selling and buying processes!”
– Scott and Jennie

About Doug Francis

I am a Realtor with TTR Sotheby's International Realty® just outside Washington D.C. in Northern Virginia. I have been a full-time Realtor licensed in Virginia since 1991, and cover a big territory specializing in the Vienna real estate market and custom homes for sale.

I have unique knowledge of digital real estate marketing, and my marketing starts here. My clients have been attracted to my results-oriented strategy for years, and I am accepting new clients for 2023 right now.

Thanks for reading, and feel free to contact me at 703-304-6827 or email me at doug@dougfrancis.com anytime!

Search for a subject

Contact

Doug: (703) 304-6827

TTR Sotheby's International Realty
6723 Whittier Avenue McLean, VA 22101

Office: 703-319-3344
Why do people hire me?

Search for homes in Vienna

Vienna Real Estate Guide

Doug Francis Vienna Real Estate 2021
This material can only be used with written permission.

Equal Housing Opportunity

 

Copyright © 2023 Doug Francis · Minimum Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in