Upcoming Ansley Townhomes: Big, Posh, Madly Expensive

For Atlanta townhome buyers whose checklists include private courtyards, elevators, gourmet kitchens and steps-away walkability to Piedmont Park … well, prepare to salivate. And grab a fresh pen, because you're going to need a lot of check-signing ink. Across the street from Atlanta Botanical Garden, the seven Ansley at Piedmont townhomes have begun trickling onto the market, and it looks as if the units that aren't claimed are in $1.5 million range, with two different, regal-sounding floor plans: The Westminster (two stories) and The Ansley (three). The latter option has four bedrooms, four and ½ bathrooms and sprawls for 4,500 square feet. An interesting design feature, per developer Monte Hewitt Homes' description, is that the refined kitchen and large family room "have seamless access onto a private rear courtyard, which extends living and entertaining to the outdoors" and stretches back to a detached, rear-entry garage. So, basically, these are like mini estates. Ansley Park has proven popular in recent years with smart Atlanta athletes who appreciate a sophisticated urban locale, and the same will probably hold true here.

· 1400 Piedmont Ave. NE Unit 6 [Estately]