Sales, lackluster in the early years, are booming today because the developers were willing to listen to buyers and refine the project to meet market demand.

Sedgefield Parc, near the Park and Marsh roads intersection beside St. Luke's Lutheran Church, started as a village of 42 two- and three-story garden flats and 11 patio homes restricted to buyers age 55 and older.

Today, it's a 29-unit unrestricted townhome community of duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes and 1 1/2-story homes selling for $174,900 to $225,800.

Only two units sold in the early going. But since the age restriction was lifted in late May, the total has climbed to 14.

"Basically, they are now selling faster than we can build them," said George Mundle of Woodlawn Development, co-developer of the project with Sam Salloum of Salloum Ventures.

Some empty nesters are buying, Mundle said, but the recent surge is being fueled mainly by "the classic young professional."

The original plan looked good on paper. With the endorsement of neighboring St. Luke's, Mundle designed homes that would allow aging church members to remain in the neighborhood.

"We thought it would be an appealing down-size option for the 55-plus age group," he said. "That was not the case. People wanted to stay in their homes as long as possible, and we didn't have things like a golf course and clubhouse to offer them."

Also, he said, buyers preferred single-level patio homes over multistory garden flats.

Mundle made two trips back to the planning commission and City Council, first to convert the project to all patio homes and then to lift the age restriction.

Now, he said, "Our comfort level is very good." The developers expect to sell out the estimated $12 million project by year's end.

As with most infill developments, location is a key -- especially for young professionals working in the center city's office towers and close-in medical centers.

Sedgefield Parc is about 3.5 miles from The Square and convenient to Park Road Shopping Center, Freedom Park and the Park Road YWCA.

Units are sold as townhomes, meaning that buyers own their yards, much like single-family homeowners.

"We found that many home owners want to own their own front and back yards, even if the lawns are maintained by the homeowners' association," Mundle said.

The 4-acre community is fenced and gated. Unit sizes range from 1,242 square feet for a two-bedroom, single-story townhome to 1,754 for a 1 1/2-story design with an upstairs bathroom and two bedrooms.

Standard features include tile floors in kitchens and baths, hardwood foyers, crown molding, gas fireplaces, attic storage and back porches, patios or rear decks.

Four buyers have moved in. Mundle said a duplex, triplex and fourplex are under construction.