West Gate

On the northern tip of Manassas, West Gate residents enjoy suburban quietude within only a mile or so of the county’s largest recreation attraction for summertime fun. A blend of green spaces, nearby historic sites and a large regional mall are all part of the West Gate lifestyle. Streetscapes spread out around a corridor of retail and dining conveniences, and the community includes town house and single-family developments such as Irongate, Fairmont, Westgate and Heritage Crossing.

You can expect to pay $375,000 for a two-story town house built in the late ‘70s, or between $450,000 and $550,000 for a gorgeous tri-level town house built between 2015 and 2018. Single-family homes include cozy cottages, standard Colonials and split-levels. You’ll also see contemporary multi-gabled homes with stone facades and vertical farmhouse siding. Homes often combine brick and siding, and most were built anywhere from the ‘60s through 2018 and beyond. A 1,700-square-foot brick single-level built in the ‘60s can ask $500,000 and a 1,900-square-foot two-story Colonial built in the late ‘80s can be found for around $515,000. Newer luxury town houses built in 2017 in Heritage Crossing are also priced around $515,000.

In addition to huge soccer fields by the middle school and a generous expanse of green space behind town houses, you’ll notice you’re never far from places designated for relaxation and exercise. Amir Wenrich, Director of Marketing for Prince William County Parks, says “Ben Lomond Regional Park is a really happening place near West Gate. It offers a host of recreational opportunities within a 5-minute drive. And it’s currently getting a huge refresh, adding new pickleball courts and upgrading the tennis and basketball courts. It’s the place to be, because not only are the courts and green spaces open all year, you have SplashDown Waterpark in the summer, which is the largest in Northern Virginia. In SplashDown, you can ride twister and tower slides, float on a lazy river, and enjoy all kinds of amusement-park eateries from ice cream to pizza. There’s a playscape with ropes for climbing, a section for little ones, and cabanas and pavilions for parties. And it’s all just a stone’s throw from your neighborhood.” Passes are available for purchase, and you’ll find plenty of free parking. In the heart of West Gate, local youth leagues play baseball on multiple fields at Fairmont Park and kids enjoy a nicely maintained playground. And your furry family members run leash-free at Manassas Dog Park nearby.

Public-school students may start at Sudley Elementary before moving on to Unity Braxton Middle. Older students may head to Unity Reed High, formerly known as Stonewall Jackson High. Unity Reed earns a B- grade from Niche and features a standout art program. In 2023, Unity Reed High art students designed the new life-size LOVE sign for Prince William County, erected on the grounds of Hampton Inn – Manassas.

Several shopping plazas line Route 234, making errands and dining out easy. In Westgate Plaza, locals meet for margaritas and authentic Mexican cuisine at the colorful Cactus Bar and Grill. You can also dig into heaping sub sandwiches at the snug A Deli in Portsmouth Station. And for cooking in home kitchens, locals love the multicultural mix of groceries at Global Food — an anchor in the Festival at Manassas Shopping Center since 2002. You can also grocery shop at Aldi in Portsmouth Station or Sprouts in Manaport Plaza. Additionally, West Gate residents are about a mile or so drive from the 930,000-square-foot Manassas Mall offering more than 80 retailers, restaurants and entertainment venues.

You can even opt to not use your car, and easily commute from West Gate. Alyssa Ludwiczak, Public Relations Specialist at OmniRide, says, “The Portsmouth Commuter Lot is the closest option for West Gate residents, providing local bus service in Manassas between Oaks of Wellington and the Northern Virginia Community College, and connecting service between Manassas and Tysons Corner Metro Station. West Gate residents can use our services to get to work or reach grocery stores and the mall. The Metro Express services take residents to the Tysons Corner Metro Station where they can take a train into D.C.” Brimming with essentials and amenities, within a lush Virginia terrain, West Gate may feel like the right pace for your new place.

Written By

Lia Girard

Photography Contributed By

Joseph Furio

Video By

Curtis Newkirk