New Approaches

Developers of Rosegill, on Virginia's Rappahannock River, plan to integrate a new, pedestrian-friendly community with the existing historic town of Urbanna. Neighborhoods will offer a selection of architectural styles, including traditional Colonial and Federal, Victorian, and Lowcountry. Protected woods and farmland surround the town. In addition to pools and tennis courts, recreational opportunities will range from hiking and biking trails to a sailing and yacht club. Three launch facilities are planned to accommodate canoes and kayaks on the river and two sprawling lakes; rosegill.com.

The first phase of development is almost complete at Pointe West, on the western tip of Texas' Galveston Island. The community divides six miles of water frontage between Gulf beaches and the shores of Galveston Bay. Half of the 1,000-acre property has been set aside as a nature preserve, laced by miles of biking and walking trails. The first phase has included 120 waterfront building sites and 57 cottages in traditional coastal architectural styles, along with condos. There's a pool, a private beach club, and launching spots for canoes and kayaks; 866/903-9378 or pointewestgalveston.com.

 Avonlea, in Jensen Beach, Florida, expects its first residents this summer. The community, on the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway between Stuart and Fort Pierce, consists of residential neighborhoods surrounding an old-fashioned "Main Street." A classic downtown will allow small-business owners the opportunity to live in the same buildings where they work. Architectural styles feature traditional balconies and porches; 772/692-2229 or avonleahome.com.

 Seabrook, a beach town in the first stages of development on the central Washington coast, takes a Northwest approach to the pedestrian-oriented New Urbanism concept. Its planners are adapting the region's signature architecture to a carefully zoned town environment. The central commercial zone will integrate restaurants and small shops with town houses, apartments, and detached residences. "General" and "edge" zones will feature progressively lower density. "Cabin Courts" cluster smaller residences, ideal for young families or empty-nesters, around semiprivate greens; 360/276-0099 or seabrookwa.com.