Lake Anne & Lincoln

March 5, 2011. Lincoln and I went on a date, just the two of us, to Lake Anne Village. We strolled around the man-made lake, followed a pair of geese up and down the boardwalk, climbed on several of the sculptures intended for just that purpose, and visited a local consignment where I find a lot of the boys clothes. Lake Anne is an odd place - largely a concrete maze with a "lake" in the center, surrounded by apartments and businesses. I have always wondered about its history, so in writing this entry, I took the time to look into it. Below is what I learned.

Lake Anne Village, was built in 1964, when the community of Reston was first founded. Reston was conceived as a planned community by Robert E. Simon. Founded on April 20, 1964 (Simon's 50th birthday) and named for his initials, it was the first planned community in America. Simon hired Conklin Rossant Architects as master planners to incorporate higher density housing to conserve open space, as well as mixed use areas for industry, business, recreation, education, and housing.

An important part of Reston's development is its five village centers and one town center. Each village center was designed to be a half-mile walk from most homes and incorporate the daily retail and community service needs of residents. Denser developments, such as apartments and clustered town homes are clustered around each village center. Lake Anne was the first village center built, followed by Hunters Woods, Tall Oaks, South Lakes, and North Point.

James Rossant designed Lake Anne to emulate the Italian coastal town of Portofino with modern architectural themes that extend to a nearby elementary school, a gasoline station, and two churches. Lake Anne also has an art gallery, several restaurants, the Reston Historic Trust Museum, shops, and a senior citizens' fellowship house. All are independently owned businesses, as there are no chain stores or chain restaurants in Lake Anne. Close by are the cubist townhouses at Hickory Cluster that were designed by the noted modernist architect, Charles M. Goodman, in the international style.