I'm generally a fan of these townhomes as well. While townhomes seem to be increasingly marketed to middle and higher market buyers (as you pointed out), I think the scalability of townhomes is what makes them so cool as a typology. Using some the same design guidelines, a similar neighborhood could have smaller units or stacked units that were affordable to more people. A range of sizes would be even better.
I like these too! The best part is that ADUs are allowed, which we really need in Forsyth county, where I live. I think it would be cool if they built the basement in a way that made it easier to expand plumbing and electricity if they wanted to make it an ADU in the future. I want to be a developer, so I'll write that down as an idea. I also liked the pavers, though I wonder how much more it cost to add them.
All of this is to say it is really hard to improve upon the typology of the classic Baltimore rowhouse in its many styles, and the rear alley. The best of the modern rowhouses being built in Baltimore today retain the rear loaded garage or parking pad and are quasi-industrial in style. Generally no porch, but at least retain a sittable front stoop. (The worst look like suburban “townhouses” with front loaded garages plunked down in the midst of the city). You are right, the four story version is expensive ($600-800,000), partially due to land cost in the areas where new building happens. If you skip the integrated garage, is there a reason why a 3 story version cant work just as well for less?
I'm generally a fan of these townhomes as well. While townhomes seem to be increasingly marketed to middle and higher market buyers (as you pointed out), I think the scalability of townhomes is what makes them so cool as a typology. Using some the same design guidelines, a similar neighborhood could have smaller units or stacked units that were affordable to more people. A range of sizes would be even better.
Also, more porches!
I like these too! The best part is that ADUs are allowed, which we really need in Forsyth county, where I live. I think it would be cool if they built the basement in a way that made it easier to expand plumbing and electricity if they wanted to make it an ADU in the future. I want to be a developer, so I'll write that down as an idea. I also liked the pavers, though I wonder how much more it cost to add them.
All of this is to say it is really hard to improve upon the typology of the classic Baltimore rowhouse in its many styles, and the rear alley. The best of the modern rowhouses being built in Baltimore today retain the rear loaded garage or parking pad and are quasi-industrial in style. Generally no porch, but at least retain a sittable front stoop. (The worst look like suburban “townhouses” with front loaded garages plunked down in the midst of the city). You are right, the four story version is expensive ($600-800,000), partially due to land cost in the areas where new building happens. If you skip the integrated garage, is there a reason why a 3 story version cant work just as well for less?
If the economics support it, what’s wrong with towers?