On The Market: Urban treehouse provides a contemporary counterpoint in Georgetown

Next time you are out and about, pay attention to the rhythm of the street.

Notice how the buildings work together (or not): the harmony of architectural styles, their scale and proportionality.

At first glance, the contemporary townhouse at 3611 R St. NW might seem out of place in the Georgetown/Burleith neighborhood where more traditional homes reside. However, when you look closely, you see that its lines and materials (albeit combined in very modern ways) still respect the aesthetic of this historic district; a jazzy riff within an otherwise classic composition.

Built in 2004 by Washington, D.C. developer Fred Bahrami, the meticulously maintained home offers 6,100 square feet of thoughtfully designed living space on five levels and includes five bedrooms (three with private balconies), five-and-a-half baths, a gas fireplace and an expansive 1,250-square-foot rooftop patio with panoramic views. There is also a Japanese-inspired rear garden and three generous parking spaces. It is on the market for $3.295 million.

Wood cladding, steel trim and a pop-out curtain wall of glass add depth and visual interest to the façade and repeat, like variations on a theme, throughout the house. Inside all is light and open space – flowing in a straight line from the wood-bordered entry foyer and two-story, floor-to-ceiling windows in the living room to the back where another wall of windows off the family room reveals a deck and a garden beyond.

Vertical surfaces, like the pop-out fireplace wall in the living room just off the entry foyer, rest on reveals – not baseboards – and seems to hover above the dark Brazilian walnut flooring. Sumptuous finishings such as Calacatta marble, Italian porcelain and IPE wood bring a touch of luxe to every room. Off the dining area, an accordion-pleated stairway rises in a tower of light that extends from the lower level to the rooftop.

In the kitchen, stainless-and-glass Woodmode cabinetry floats above silver-backed glass subway tiles while the stainless-and-wood island provide extensive storage and prep space. Chef-grade appliances include a Sub-Zero refrigerator/freezer, Thermador range with Miele hood, Bosch double oven, Fisher & Paykel double drawer dishwasher, and GE Profile wine cooler.

On the second floor there is the owner’s suite, which, like the main level, is a flexible, unencumbered space that can lend itself to any number of uses. At the top of the stairs is a sitting room that overlooks the living room below via a metal and glass railing. It leads past an enclosed laundry area to a private reading or meditation room with a south-facing window. To the right of the sitting room and separated by floor-to-ceiling glass panels is the bedroom with its own private IPE wood and porcelain-tile balcony and a large walk-in closet custom-fitted for hanging and folding storage. The master bath features Calacatta statuary gold flooring and wall tile, a deep, sunken Jacuzzi tub with tile surrounding, and an oversized Steamist shower with bench, frameless glass doors and multiple Hansgrohe shower heads.

The third level has a Scandi spa feel with an abundant use of IPE wood accent walls. There are two guest rooms separated by a sitting room. Each has its own private balcony and sleek en-suite bath, one with a tub-shower combo and the other with a glass-door shower. Running end-to-end along the floor on the west side of the house is a row of horizontal rectangular windows enhancing the appearance and feel of a floating floor.

Above the third floor is the roof top deck with its nearly 360-degree view of the city and Northern Virginia. It is here, surrounded by greenery, that you feel you are living in a tree house – albeit a very sophisticated one with penchant for modernism and minimalism.

On the lowest level of the house is an in-law or au pair suite with two bedrooms with an adjacent office or den, two full-baths, a glossy white kitchen and a comfortably sized living and dining area. There is also a second laundry room with Samsung appliances and built-in shelving for additional storage.

Located on a quiet street off Wisconsin Ave., the home is easily within access of attractions in Georgetown, Dupont Circle and Kalorama, as well as the city’s iconic monuments. The Key Bridge, Rock Creek Park and the Potomac River Trails are all nearby as well. It is also a short commute to Northern Virginia, Dulles International Airport and Reagan National.