When the Meadows held their grand opening on July 10th, 1971, over 6000 people came and bought 62 homes in less than 48 hours.  Built by John R. Minchew and advertised in newspapers as THE AFFORDABLE DREAM, the community’s opening brought house hunters from morning until dark to see the five models.  It took four traffic officers to direct the steady stream of cars and buyers who bought nearly two million dollars worth of real estate during those first two days.

They saw one- and two-story townhouses which were priced from $23,950.00 to $27,500.00, including fully-equipped all electric kitchens, up to two and one-half baths, wall-to-wall carpeting, beamed family rooms, patios or balconies, air conditioning and washer-dryer combinations.

The original builder spent considerable time studying various concepts of town houses throughout the country before undertaking the building of this condominium community.  Such 0ne- and two-story townhouses – the two-story ones straddled atop the rambler styled on-level units – are now in evidence at other places around us, including a development in Warrenton, VA.  In 1971, however, this was a new concept.  The creation of The Meadows represented the Minchew firm’s most ambitious project and utilized the talent of a large staff of highly skilled experts combining good management principles research, design, and imagination.  Prior to building The Meadows, Minchew had been building award-wining single family detached homes, such as those at Westgate at Mt. Vernon, Camelot near Annandale and Wayside in Vienna.

In 1972, Phase II was built and finally, in 1974, Phase III began construction.  Phase III was completed by Yeonas as Minchew had sold out to them in 1974.

On Opening day prices were as follows:

Before The Meadows was sold out (618 Units), price lists had been changed 18 times and the final list dated March 15th, 1974, showed a range in prices from $31,900 to $36,950.

As for the community, at that time the Post Office was in a trailer next to the old McDonalds.  The only grocery store was the original Giant, located at the Newgate Shopping Center and there was no public transportation service.  Payne’s farm (directly behind The Meadows to the south) was a working farm and you could watch the cows grazing on the hill from your window.  Hunter Hardware was the only hardware store in the area and the old Centreville Pharmacy had their original lunch counter where you could linger over a cup of coffee.  There have been many changes over the years, including the cost of housing.  In the recent past, homes in The Meadows have sold for over $300,000, but as in 1971, it is still an AFFORDABLE DREAM.