Monstrosity on 25th street

[tulsabug]

You wouldn't be able to build a McDonald's in the middle of a residential neighborhood, if it were your personal property or not.  Building a giant monstrosity complete with dance floor and sniper's nest in the middle of a quaint mid-town neighborhood is damn near as absurd.

I'm with you there, except on the sniper's nest. When the zombies start showing up, you'll wish you had a good sniping point. 

[patric]

I'm with you there, except on the sniper's nest. When the zombies start showing up, you'll wish you had a good sniping point.  

Here's what the fuss is about:

http://goo.gl/maps/JBfGg

[dbacksfan 2.0]

Yeah, it fills the lot that it's sitting on, and it's different than those around it. Kind of reminds me of Deco meets FLW. I remember when just across Lewis from there, there were houses that resembled this style back in the 70's. Looking on Google Earth now, a lot of those are gone and now they've built mini-castles that are bigger than this, granted on larger lots. Not horrible, but not necessarily like the surrounding homes. But unless there's an HOA, or a city ordinance governing the area as say a "Historic District" you can build what you want.

A good example is a house a friend of mine owned in Phoenix, burned to the ground a year after he and his family sold the house, and the owners at the time apparently were losing the house, and a year after the fire a new house was built. It falls into the category of "One of these things is not like the others..."

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=2365+E+Larkspur+Dr,+Phoenix,+AZ&hl=en&sll=44.145446,-120.583402&sspn=5.541854,13.392334&oq=2365+E+Lark&hnear=2365+E+Larkspur+Dr,+Phoenix,+Arizona+85022&t=h&z=17

[guido911]

So patric posts a link to the house that has resulted in 7 pages of posts? I don't see the problem. Maybe if those that find the house offensive looking can post pics of their homes--that way I can see their point of reference.

[Red Arrow]

Maybe if those that find the house offensive looking can post pics of their homes--that way I can see their point of reference.

You've been to my house.  I think that monster on 25th St is both out of place and fugly.

I think your house is nice but the neighborhood is a bit too crowded.  The lots should be maybe 50% bigger.

[Gaspar]

I wonder how the next door neighbors feel.  Hope they are not planning to sell anytime soon.

[Red Arrow]

I wonder how the next door neighbors feel.  Hope they are not planning to sell anytime soon.

It would be fun to find a ritzy neighborhood that didn't quite have all the "t"s dotted and "i"s crossed and then do a tear-down and put in a double-wide.

[rdj]

At the risk of greatly offending the resident art deco expert how is that house any different from this one?

http://goo.gl/maps/DLSzU

The above linked home was built in 1937, sits right on Utica and is loved by many.  It shares zero architectural detail with it's neighbors but is adored by many.  Is it because is has aged in a way that we now unique characteristics attractive?  There are multiple examples of homes like this throughout midtown.

I crack up at the midtown elitists that deride south Tulsa for having cookie cutter neighborhoods, but the minute someone builds something different down the street from them it suddenly doesn't fit the "character" of their neighborhood.

[TheArtist]

At the risk of greatly offending the resident art deco expert how is that house any different from this one?

http://goo.gl/maps/DLSzU

The garage is set back like the others for starters and that's one of the things that can make a big difference in how a house "fits in" with the neighborhood.

Often in certain zoning areas it is requested that your home or building have similar "wall planes" I believe it is called.  Rather than having a large blank space or wall it should be broken up with either windows, doors, horizontal or vertical set-backs/roof lines, etc. The first floor and or second floor roof lines for example are of similar height (whether having a roof or not).  Such that even if the architecture is Italian, Colonial, Ranch, French, or Art Deco the eye flows happily from house to house. 


I think the 25th street house is beautiful (though I don't like the garages right out front blocking it, but in another context even those might be perfectly fine).  And I do think it's too jarring for the neighborhood.  Some neighborhoods are eclectic enough that, anything goes, is part of the "look".  Sometimes a building that is different, can actually act as a unique and enjoyable "point of interest"... if done right.  Some people don't have the knack for it and make an ugly mess. Just like decorating a room, there are all kinds of ways that a room can be beautiful and either have similar styles and colorings of objects or different styles etc., but there are still reasons why some things work or don't.  Often people just go with an easy "style" color scheme or era with which to decorate.  You can put in something totally different. But anyone looking at it can still tell whether that object works as a great accent piece or is just simply badly out of place.  There are often way to many exceptions for someone to put down any rules as to how to do that for the layman.  An artist can first "sense" whether this or that object works in this or that spot, and then stand back and figure out the reasons why, "Ah, it's because..." but there are so many exceptions and parameters to consider that it would be extremely difficult for the average person other than "I know it when I see it". 

[dbacksfan 2.0]

It would be fun to find a ritzy neighborhood that didn't quite have all the "t"s dotted and "i"s crossed and then do a tear-down and put in a double-wide.

Nah, 1960's model single wide with old tires on the roof parked sideways, and a mid 70's Camaro in the yard with an A frame engine hoist holding the engine from the car.  

[TheArtist]

So patric posts a link to the house that has resulted in 7 pages of posts? I don't see the problem. Maybe if those that find the house offensive looking can post pics of their homes--that way I can see their point of reference.

My house would be offensive in that neighborhood. But it fits right in with all the other split level ranches on the street. Except that mine is not white.    

Kind of like the old saying "The well dressed man never stands out from the crowd. His style and sophistication, sets him apart."

[Red Arrow]

I think the 25th street house is beautiful (though I don't like the garages right out front blocking it, but in another context even those might be perfectly fine). 

Even trying to look at it as a stand-alone, I don't find it attractive at all.  To each his own I guess.

[patric]

I wonder how the next door neighbors feel.  Hope they are not planning to sell anytime soon.

Actually, the house next door is for sale...

[Gaspar]

Actually, the house next door is for sale...

How much do you want to bet it will sell low, only to be knocked down.  Neighborhood cancer.

[DolfanBob]

I'm glad I looked to see what this topic was about. That overhead Google shot made me laugh. Who owns that house Taylor Swift?
That picture is hilarious and awesome all rolled into one. Look how close the fence is to the walls of the house. Talk about using every minute dirt possibility.
Zero lawn maintenance and what a view of a crappy neighborhood. Better sit on that baby for at least 15 to 20 and hope to get half of what it cost to build it.
Come on guy's. Someone photo shopped that right?