South Boston’s public transportation that makes getting into downtown Boston a snap, and its parks and beaches that provide getaways right in the neighborhood, and its strong sense of community have made it a popular place to live.

The gourmet kitchen includes a Sub-Zero refrigerator/freezer, a four-burner gas range, a microwave, a dishwasher and trash compactor.

According to Bruce Berman of Save the Harbor, the beaches of South Boston are the cleanest urban beaches in America.

There has been an influx of new shops and restaurants in the traditional areas of South Boston, in part because of the affluent professionals that have moved into the many condominiums that have sprung up. 

Now, with the recent flurry of activity in the Seaport District and its museums, chef-run restaurants, stores, hotels, and the Boston Convention Center, there are even more reasons to enjoy South Boston.

Mary Kelleher of Gibson Sotheby’s International Realty is marketing the townhouse at 404 East Third St. for $678,000.

Just off the intersection of East Third, G and Dorchester streets near the Seaport District, the 2,478-square-foot home features an open living room/dining room/kitchen, a large family room, three bedrooms, three decks, two gas fireplaces, a laundry room, two-and-a-half bath and a garage and storage room on the garden level as well as off-street parking at the back. 

The living room has a gas fireplace surrounded by stone tiles and a white wooden mantelpiece.

Two attached clapboard-sided townhouses, 402 and 404 East Third St., were completed in 2004. Their front doors are a few steps up from the sidewalk and are side by side in the center of the building, with No. 404 on the right.

Inside No. 404, past a pleasant foyer with a coat closet, is the great room with gleaming light oak hardwood floors, narrow crown molding around the ceiling and lots of light streaming through the large windows, making the spacious, open room seem even larger than it is. 

Recessed lighting throughout the room ensures even light at any time. 

The living room in the front half of the room has a gas fireplace surrounded by stone tiles and a white wooden mantelpiece. The three front windows overlook East Seventh Street.

A peninsula counter topped by black granite separates the living room from the handsome gourmet kitchen.

The base of the peninsula and light wooden cabinets are farther along the same wall as the fireplace. 

Some of the cabinet doors are paneled in glass, adding to the open feeling.

The dining area, which faces to the kitchen, has glass sliders that open to a long deck.

The stainless steel appliances include a gas range with four top burners, a dishwasher, a trash compactor, and a Sub-Zero refrigerator/freezer. The lower section of the backsplash is a continuation of the black granite. 

Above it are small tiles in various subtle shades. A large window in the kitchen area overlooks the landscaping along Emerson Street and also Dorchester Street leading to the Seaport District.

The kitchen counter has a breakfast seating, but across from the kitchen is the dining area where an attractive contemporary chandelier hangs above the dining room table.

At the back of the area, double doors paned in clear glass open to a walkout deck that runs across the back of the home.

A powder room and an alcove with the stairs to the garage are located between the living room and the dining room.

The garage is on the garden level that is shared by the two attached townhouses with assigned parking spaces. There is also a large storage room only for Unit 404. 

The garage door opens to a black cast iron fence- enclosed parking area that is landscaped along Emerson Street.

Back upstairs, a staircase in the front foyer leads to the upper levels. 

The master bedroom has twin double closets with custom built-ins and an en suite bath.

One flight up from the living room is a spacious family room, a laundry room, a full bath, and a large bedroom.

Double clear glass-paned doors at the back of the bedroom open to the second house-wide deck. The family room has another gas fireplace and narrow crown molding circling the ceiling.

Kelleher points out that for those who want a fourth bedroom, the family room has plenty of space to enclose part of it for an additional room.

The next flight up leads to the master bedroom and a third bedroom.

The master bedroom has twin double closets with custom built-ins to give more storage space and an en suite master bath.

The spa-like bath has two separate stone-topped vanities with basins, a soaking tub and a separate glass-enclosed shower. 

The townhouse has a balcony on each level.

In the master bedroom, a double door paned in clear glass gives water views and provides egress to the third house-wide deck.

The third bedroom is being used as a nursery, but it would also be a perfect master sitting room, study or an in-home office.

The home has central forced air heat and air conditioning. There is residents-only parking as well as guest parking on the streets around the home.

The two attached townhouses, plus a garage on the lower level that is owned by a third party, form an association. There is currently no condo fee. As the joint bills for snow removal arrive, they are shared by the owners. 

DETAILS

Address: 404 East Third St., South Boston

BR/BA:Three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths

Age: 2004

Price: $678,000

Size: 2,478+/- square feet

Taxes: $6,462.85 (FY 2011 includes a residential exemption)

Condo fee: None (fees are split as common bills arrive)

Features of the building: Clapboard-sided attached townhouse that feels like a single-family home. Fenced landscaped parking area behind the home.

Features of the home: Lovely triplex home with open floor plan on the entertaining level. A large bedroom and large family room on the second level; master bedroom with en suite spa-like bath on the upper level. A walkout deck on each level. Two gas fireplaces. Chef’s granite and stainless steel kitchen. Lower-level parking garage and large storage room.

Close by: The Seaport District, restaurants, shops, parks, beaches, public transportation.

Contact: Mary Kelleher, Gibson Sotheby’s International Realty, 556 Tremont St., Boston, MA 02118. Phones: 617-426-6900 (office) or  617-821-8875 (cell).

Website: GibsonSothebysRealty.com

An open house will be held at this property Sunday, July 10, from 1:30 to 3 p.m.