Steve, have you ever gotten to go in any of the prototypes on 21st Place? I've got a pipe dream of buying, renovating, and preserving all four some day as higher-end rentals (even bigger pipe dream). It's a shame they put the "pop-top" on one of them. I think Shane Hood was saying one of the neighbors on his block is adding a second story...GULP!
No, I never have been in any of those 4 houses, but I drive by about every 3-4 months just to see if any are for sale. The exterior house pictured in that Chrysler ad is the most original, unchanged of the 4, but probably in the worst shape and seems to be vacant for many years. The prototypes are all much the same as the houses constructed in Lortondale, the only significant difference being that laundry hookups were in the kitchens of the prototypes, and moved to the garages on homes constructed in Lortondale per public feedback, leaving small eating areas in the kitchen. All the prototype homes were 1-bath/1-car garages and they also modified the plans to allow for 1.5 or 2 bath, 2-car garage models at the buyer's option.
Yes, there is a 2 story addition going up on 26th Place and I can monitor the progress daily as I have a great view of it out my living room window wall. I think they are building a 2 story addition behind the original garage and not actually building upon the original structure. Either way, I hate it. I never understand why people don't just sell the house and buy a larger one elsewhere if they need more room, instead of destroying an architecturaly significant house in a historic neighborhood. I am sure glad I don't live next door with that new big hulk staring down on my property and eliminating neighbor's privacy; just seeing it out my back windows is bad enough. They only have the framing and roof sheathing up to date and I assume construction has halted for better weather.
