More and more people are looking for proximity to urban living. Exclusive houses and flats in cities are increasingly in demand. Luxury Defined, the online magazine of Christies International Real Estate, spotlights a collection of townhouses in cities far and wide. Consider a Georgian terrace in the Fair City of Dublin, a classic canal house in old Amsterdam, or perhaps, an Upper East Side townhouse in New York City. The townhouse is here to stay. 

Keizersgracht Canal House in Amsterdam, Netherlands

This classic canal house is on the regal Keizersgracht (“Emperor’s Canal”) in Amsterdam’s historic city center. The four-story residence was built in 1686 for Dutch writer Frederik van Loon and is listed as a national monument. The property underwent extensive restoration and refurbishment in recent years, but the original character of the house has been beautifully preserved throughout the 15,478-square-foot floor plan.

This classic canal house is on the regal Keizersgracht (“Emperor’s Canal”) in Amsterdam’s historic city center. The four-story residence was built in 1686 for Dutch writer Frederik van Loon and is listed as a national monument. The property underwent extensive restoration and refurbishment in recent years, but the original character of the house has been beautifully preserved throughout the 15,478-square-foot floor plan.

4 Fitzwilliam Street Upper in Dublin, Ireland 

Forming part of a continuous terrace of townhouses lining the west side of Fitzwilliam Street Upper, this fine circa-1820 townhouse is an important piece of Dublin‘s Georgian heritage.  The mellow, Flemish bond brick façade contrasts with the granite dressings and hand-crafted ironwork. The handsome Doric doorcase with its fanlight forms the decorative focus. It is flanked by Doric columns supporting paneled lintel entablature. Above sit three rows of sash windows adorned with wrought-iron window boxes. 

Forming part of a continuous terrace of townhouses lining the west side of Fitzwilliam Street Upper, this fine circa-1820 townhouse is an important piece of Dublin‘s Georgian heritage.  The mellow, Flemish bond brick façade contrasts with the granite dressings and hand-crafted ironwork. The handsome Doric doorcase with its fanlight forms the decorative focus. It is flanked by Doric columns supporting paneled lintel entablature. Above sit three rows of sash windows adorned with wrought-iron window boxes.

123 East 80th Street in New York, New York

This distinguished five-story townhouse at 123 80th Street presides over the leafy streetscape between Park and Lexington Avenues in the heart of Manhattan’s Upper East Side.Built in 1901, its notable past residents include movie producer Neil F. Agnew and fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger.  The brick and limestone Neo-Georgian façade opens to the light-filled garden level. Beyond the grand foyer is a powder room, sitting room, an office, and double doors to the patio. Also on this level is a chef’s kitchen with a wood-burning fireplace. One of seven in the home, the fireplace is adorned with pictorial Delft tiles, which, combined with the latticework, boxed parquet floors, echoes the early Dutch influence of New York City townhouses.

This distinguished five-story townhouse at 123 80th Street presides over the leafy streetscape between Park and Lexington Avenues in the heart of Manhattan’s Upper East Side. Built in 1901, its notable past residents include movie producer Neil F. Agnew and fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger.  The brick and limestone Neo-Georgian façade opens to the light-filled garden level. Beyond the grand foyer is a powder room, sitting room, an office, and double doors to the patio. Also on this level is a chef’s kitchen with a wood-burning fireplace. One of seven in the home, the fireplace is adorned with pictorial Delft tiles, which, combined with the latticework, boxed parquet floors, echoes the early Dutch influence of New York City townhouses.

Searching for a place to hold court in the city? Explore Christie’s luxury collection of townhouses here.