Dilworth townhomes blend in, as planned
Buyers say chance at new home in old area was primary appeal
DOUG SMITH

When custom builder Jimmy Kontoulas told me the first buyer had moved into his Dilworth at Lexington luxury townhomes, I decided to see how the project turned out.

The last time I was there, it was a vacant lot.

So I headed east on Morehead Street from uptown -- exactly as I remembered -- turned right on Oriole Street next to Art's Barbecue & Deli and completely missed the project at Oriole and Lexington Avenue.

From Kontoulas' perspective, that was good. He didn't want his $500,000-plus townhomes to stand out as new construction.

The goal, he said, was to weave them into the fabric of the neighborhood using custom building techniques and Dilworth architectural features, earth tones and textures.

The first five townhomes in the planned $6 million, 10-unit project really do look as much like old Dilworth as new housing.

Notice the second-story balconies and the turret-shaped end unit partially hidden behind a tree in the photo.

New owner Gerry Smith, an investment adviser and financial consultant, and her husband, David Syfert, like to relax after work on the balcony and greet neighbors as they pass.

But what was most attractive to them, Smith said, was the opportunity to own a new home in one of Charlotte's oldest neighborhoods. "New construction in Dilworth is fairly rare and was very appealing to us," she said.

Developers say buyers will pay a premium to live in luxury townhomes in desirable, close-in neighborhoods such as Dilworth, Myers Park and Eastover.

But such urban "infill" projects are a challenge, said Kontoulas, whose Kontoulas Custom Homes builds mainly in the suburbs.

Available sites in established neighborhoods usually are small and typically require rezoning.

In this case, Kontoulas said, Citiline Development & Ventures assembled the 0.4 acres, demolished two old houses and worked with neighbors on zoning issues.

Kontoulas purchased the property and brought in Narmour Wright Architects to help with the design and architectural fit. Susan Nolton of Helen Adams Realty is in charge of sales.

The four remaining units in the first phase range from 2,200 square feet to 2,700 square feet and sell for $544,900 to $589,900.

Interior features include wide-plank oak flooring, custom cabinets, granite countertops, ceramic tile bathroom floors, garden tubs, elevators and pedestal sinks in powder rooms.

Kontoulas plans to start a second phase of five similar townhomes on the opposite side of Oriole Street in July.