By Gretchen McKay

Townhouses are some of this country's earliest surviving urban homes. Land in 18th-century urban centers along the Atlantic Coast was both scarce and expensive, and these fashionable two- and three-story homes, which shared "party" walls for structural support, offered the perfect solution.

The first six units of the Georgetowne townhome development are ready for sale. The Pine community will eventually have 40 units. (Bob Donaldson, Post-Gazette)

Some of the nation's oldest and most elegant townhomes can be found in the Georgetown section of Washington, D.C., built in the mid-1700s when shipping, not government, was the neighborhood's main business. Aiming to capture a little of the look and ambience of these historic homes, but the comfort and convenience of a modern townhouse, is Georgetowne, a new upscale development in Pine.

Perched on 6 1/2 acres along Wallace Road off Route 19, Georgetowne will have 40 units with six different floor plans when the project is completed in two years, says builder Angelo Spagnolo of Spagnolo Custom Homes. The two- and three-bedroom townhouses will be divided into seven clusters of five or six homes along a private cul-de-sac bordered by lush green areas and mature groves of shade trees.

Built with total luxury in mind, the homes won't be inexpensive: Prices start at about $389,000 for a two-bedroom, 3,500-square-foot interior model with a small deck and integral two-car garage. The larger end units will run anywhere from $534,000 to $549,000 and boast more than 4,400 square feet of living space on four levels.

This is the first townhouse development for the Pine-based builder and his partner (and brother) Frank, whose single-family projects include The Estates at the Villa in Hampton and Trotting Acres, Karrington Woods and North Park Manor, all in Pine.

Inside and out, the townhouses feature the Georgian architectural style, which flourished in the English colonies between 1700 and 1780. The symmetrical brick exteriors have grand entrances topped by porticoes, balconies or elaborate molding and cornices. Brick steps have wrought-iron railings and the windows are double-hungs aligned horizontally and vertically, with a few circular or Palladian windows thrown in for interest.

The model home at 120 Georgetown Drive boasts 3,900 square feet of living space and is priced at $475,000, unfurnished. But with decor designed by Karolyn Spagnolo of Spagnolo Design, it would be a shame not to take the furnishings, too. This three-bedroom unit (Option 2) is about as elegant as they come.

In addition to hardwood floors and 8-foot tall doors, oversized crown molding dresses up the ceilings in every room on the first and second level, including the powder and laundry rooms. There are also custom window treatments throughout.

A 16-by-12-foot formal dining room contains a small bay window overlooking the gazebo in the front common courtyard. Painted a soothing mocha color and brightened with framed artwork from Eclectic Art & Objects Gallery in Emsworth, it provides a stylish setting for intimate meals or gatherings with friends.

The adjoining gourmet kitchen features stainless Kitchen Aid appliances, granite countertops and white-painted cabinetry. The commercial-style, five-burner cooktop is set into an alcove decorated with grape leaves. An oven and microwave are built into the wall and a convection oven is installed in the massive center island.

Half-moon cutouts above the side-by-side refrigerator and wall ovens offer space for displaying china or collectibles. At 20 by 13 feet, the kitchen is large enough to include a separate breakfast area with table and three chairs.

A half-wall of cabinets with three pillars separates the kitchen from the 27-by-16-foot great room, which has 10-foot ceilings like the rest of the first floor. Along one wall, built-in bookcases flank a gas fireplace with custom-built wood mantel and granite surround. There is also a large built-in entertainment center with glass doors and lighted open spaces above. One pair of French doors opens onto a small sun room overlooking the wooded back yard; another set leads to a deck.

The carpeted second floor contains a laundry room and two spacious bedrooms, each with its own full bath. A 20-by-12-foot guest room with a small walk-out balcony and a 20-by-16-foot master bedroom overlook the back yard. The master bath also boasts twin vanities, a Jacuzzi tub in one corner and a walk-in glass shower with marble accents and a handheld Moen faucet. A separate toilet room is hidden behind a pair of pocket doors.

With 160 square feet of storage space, the adjoining walk-in closet is larger than some bedrooms. For an additional $1,200, it comes equipped with a state-of-the-art Whirlpool "Personal Valet" clothes vitalizing system, a new home appliance that smoothes away wrinkles and removes odors.

The third floor holds another full bath and a 23-by-27-foot room brightened by a skylight.

Currently set up as a study, it would also make a nice third bedroom, billiards room or even an exercise area. The carpeted basement also boasts a full bath and opens onto a two-car garage with automatic door opener.

Along with an energy-efficient heating and cooling system (there are two furnaces and two central air conditioners in each unit), the homes contain a security system and whole-house vacuum. Whole-house sound systems are another option.

A walking trail along the common recreation area leads to the nearby Oxford Athletic Club (buyers get free initiation). Other amenities will include a putting green and two bocce courts.

Angelo Spagnolo says the stately 2 1/2-story homes will appeal to the busy young executive or empty-nesters who want to own a distinctive home but don't want to deal with exterior maintenance. (The $100 monthly condo fee covers grass cutting and snow shoveling.) And if all those stairs worry you, think about an elevator. Elevators can be added to three of the six models without changing the floor plan.

"One of the nice things about the homes is that they're very elastic," says listing agent Gloria Carroll of Prudential Preferred Realty. "You can take the space and pretty much use it any way you want."