Designed for the Way Life Moves

When Beacon Street began envisioning the City Homes at Birney Park, the goal was never simply to create another collection of townhomes.

The intention was something more nuanced, and designed to live up to its name: a small group of architecturally considered residences that would feel equally at home in Boston, Charleston, or London, while offering the comfort and proportions of a single-family home, shaped around a more flexible and connected way of living.

“We intentionally avoided approaching these as something conventional,” says Jim Wiley, President of Beacon Street. “The idea was for homes with real architectural presence and livability — homes that feel rooted and substantial, while still offering the freedom to lock the door and travel, to entertain, or simply to live more lightly.”

That philosophy shaped the project from the beginning and informed an unusually collaborative design process between Beacon Street — developer, curator, steward of the overall vision — and architects Historical Concepts, builder John C. Sanders & Company, and interior designer Katherine Connell Interiors.

Rather than addressing the project separately, each member of the team relished the opportunity to approach the City Homes as a dialogue between architecture, construction, interiors, and lived experience. The result is a collection of homes deeply informed by people with a thorough understanding not only of how homes are designed, but how they are lived in.

“Some of the best decisions happen when all members of the design and construction team are engaged early in the process,” says Domenick Treschitta, senior principal at Historical Concepts. “The City Homes were designed to feel timeless, and that collaboration allowed us to balance architectural character with the needs of modern living.”

Across the homes, that thinking reveals itself in countless ways. Kitchens flow naturally into living spaces designed for gathering. Large windows bring light inside from multiple directions. Rooftop terraces create unexpected outdoor rooms that float above the neighborhood canopy. Floorplans balance openness with privacy, creating homes that feel expansive without excess.

There is also an unusual level of personalization built into the process.

While every City Home begins with a strong architectural foundation, no two will feel exactly alike. The Beacon Blueprint welcomes owners into the process of finalizing floorplans and finishes, ensuring each home is a true reflection of those who live there.

With construction now underway and the first residence reserved, Beacon Street, John Sanders, and Katherine Connell are actively shaping the interior character of the homes in dialogue with each owner, thoughtfully crafting their residences from floor plan to finishes. Materials, placement and other details are being carefully considered — bringing personal preferences, routines, and aspirations into a home already designed with beauty, livability, and lasting character in mind.

“These homes are intended to feel deeply personal,” says John Sanders. “The goal isn’t simply to create beautiful spaces, but a home that genuinely reflects the people who live there.”

In a city where the detached suburban home has historically been the predominant model, the City Homes offer a new alternative — one that has long proven attractive in other cosmopolitan areas, and feels increasingly relevant here: architecture with presence, outdoor spaces without overwhelming upkeep, and a walkable neighborhood that supports both connection and ease.

These are homes designed for people whose lives extend beyond a single address — people who travel often and entertain easily, who value thoughtful design, and who’d appreciate living comfortably in one of Raleigh’s most established neighborhoods without the responsibilities that often come with larger properties.

As construction begins and homes start to rise at Birney Park, the City Homes are emerging not simply as a new residential offering, but as a new way of thinking about city living in Raleigh.

For those curious to explore them further, we welcome you to visit Birney Park and experience the setting firsthand.