Local History
Once home to native tribes and explorers, Montebello’s land was owned by speculators in the 17th and 18th centuries. In 1789, Lord Bryan Fairfax, a friend of George Washington, purchased a sizeable parcel of this land and built a home for his family, naming it Mount Eagle. During the Civil War, forts were built on this land as part of the Virginia defenses of Washington.
In the 1930s, Mount Eagle was used as a country club. In 1942, it went under private ownership once again. Its last private owners had the land rezoned for residential and commercial development and sold it in 1966. The Fairfax house was demolished in 1969, and in 1970 Metro acquired 20 acres of the property for the Huntington Metro station.
In 1979, a developer purchased 35 acres of the former Mount Eagle property to build what stands today. Owner Giuseppe Cecchi paid tribute to his Italian heritage by naming the complex “Montebello,” meaning “beautiful mountain,” but retained the name Mount Eagle on the access road as a tribute to the property’s history.
Local Real Estate
Montebello is a 36-acre gated community along Richmond Highway just south of Old Town Alexandria. Located in Fairfax County, it is bordered by Richmond Highway to the east, Mount Eagle Park to the west, Cityside Huntington Apartments to the south, and Huntington Avenue to the north. The Potomac River is a short distance away. The community is conveniently located near the intersection of the Capital Beltway and Route 1.
Montebello consists of four high-rise buildings with 1,024 condominiums, ranging from one-bedroom to three-bedroom units. Larger custom units have been created by joining two separate units together.
Recent sales (2019 data) show one-bedroom units selling in the $200K range, two-bedrooms from $300K to the low $400s, and three-bedrooms from the low $400s to the mid-$600s
Condo fees on recent sales range from $492 per month for a one-bedroom unit to $1,513 per month for the most expensive three-bedroom condo.
Local Community
This self-contained complex offers a campus-like atmosphere complete with a spa, convenience store, restaurant, bar, tennis courts, jogging trail, pools, bowling alley, hobby rooms, pet areas, along with a plethora of social events. Montebello’s 2,300 residents span all ages and stages of life.
Local Entertainment
Take in dinner and a movie at the nearby Hoffman Center. Golfers can join one of two local country clubs. The Mount Vernon Rec Center, which offers both indoor ice skating and swimming year-round, is a five-minute drive from Montebello.
Local Favorites
Montebello residents just are a short drive from the shopping, dining, and culture of Old Town Alexandria. Or they can stay closer to home for amazing Mexican food at El Paso restaurant or pizza at The Haven in Belle View.
