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If the house is so big with five or six bedrooms and there isn't a big backyard or front yard outside then I'd consider it a McMansion. There are a lot of them out here.
Would a New York brownstone be considered a McMansion? They're pretty big with small yards too.
I would say that if the land values are high enough, a big house on a small lot isn't necessarily a McMansion.
For instance, I would say that the size of these homes relative to the lot is perfectly appropriate given the location. Rosedale, Toronto, ON - Google Maps
Although the architecture on seem of them seems a little odd.
Take this window... Rosedale, Toronto, ON - Google Maps
Barn door shutters, a Juliette balcony and stone cladding... what's going on here.
Would a New York brownstone be considered a McMansion? They're pretty big with small yards too.
I would say that if the land values are high enough, a big house on a small lot isn't necessarily a McMansion.
For instance, I would say that the size of these homes relative to the lot is perfectly appropriate given the location. Rosedale, Toronto, ON - Google Maps
Although the architecture on seem of them seems a little odd.
Take this window... Rosedale, Toronto, ON - Google Maps
Barn door shutters, a Juliette balcony and stone cladding... what's going on here.
I've seen something like the houses you show from Toronto in Cedar City. I agree they are big houses with small backyards not McMansions.
Perhaps my description might be a little too vague. I can see what you are saying. I may have to do a bit more research.
As for the New York Brownstone, I wouldn't classify it as a McMansion. They seem more like freestanding apartments to me. In fact I always thought that was what they were.
I've seen something like the houses you show from Toronto in Cedar City. I agree they are big houses with small backyards not McMansions.
Perhaps my description might be a little too vague. I can see what you are saying. I may have to do a bit more research.
As for the New York Brownstone, I wouldn't classify it as a McMansion. They seem more like freestanding apartments to me. In fact I always thought that was what they were.
The NYC ones were originally just big houses (like the Cosby Show), but many of them have been retrofitted to be multiple apartments, since they are easy to rent out.
The area where I grew up in the Midwest had some modest & unique homes on small plots. Then came the building boom.
So people started to buy houses that went for sale. In short, they either knocked down the entire house or build up
the house taking up most of the property. It became a competition who's house was bigger and what extra amenities
they had. They became more ridiculous with each one. This obsession to compete with the Jones turned out these
McMansions (as in Wikipedia). Now there they sit, hideous as can be, nothing that unique just a huge house on a small
lot with over 3000 sq feet so that 3 people can live in it. Meanwhile, some lost their homes when things crashed and
some who remain complain about their high taxes, heating and cooling costs and insurance rates.
Ive alwasy thoguth of Mcmansions has large mostly stroy home built on pretty small lots. My home is on a acre and only 2000 sq feeet but I when buying saw some thathardy had a ayrd. Not that its anyhtig wrong just not to my taste.
The area where I grew up in the Midwest had some modest & unique homes on small plots. Then came the building boom.
So people started to buy houses that went for sale. In short, they either knocked down the entire house or build up
the house taking up most of the property. It became a competition who's house was bigger and what extra amenities
they had. They became more ridiculous with each one. This obsession to compete with the Jones turned out these
McMansions (as in Wikipedia). Now there they sit, hideous as can be, nothing that unique just a huge house on a small
lot with over 3000 sq feet so that 3 people can live in it. Meanwhile, some lost their homes when things crashed and
some who remain complain about their high taxes, heating and cooling costs and insurance rates.
Right like what, you thought heating/cooling/powering that thing was going to be affordable...smh
For instance, I would say that the size of these homes relative to the lot is perfectly appropriate given the location. Rosedale, Toronto, ON - Google Maps
Those look like mcmansions to me. Check out the older homes next to them. They might be decent looking and slightly understated mcmansions, but mcmansions nonetheless. I personally like the modern house you posted, but check the older house next door. It's 1/3 the size.
Not sure about the NY brownstones. Did they originally have large yards that were sold and subdivided?
I personally think "large house/small lot" is a primary factor of mcmansionness. If you want a real mansion, buy the appropriate amount of land to fit your large home on. I think most LA mansions are mcmansions - the original of the species in fact. I don't necessarily use mcmansion only a pejorative though.
Last edited by TheOverdog; 03-19-2013 at 04:25 PM..
Those look like mcmansions to me. Check out the older homes next to them. They might be decent looking and slightly understated mcmansions, but mcmansions nonetheless. I personally like the modern house you posted, but check the older house next door. It's 1/3 the size.
I wouldn't say they're understated at all.
I don't really object to them being called McMansions, but because of the architecture, not the lot size. The area (Ledbury Park) is "intensifying" since the location is much more desirable than when the area was initially built out, and since multi-family is not allowed, the "intensification" is happening in the form of bigger homes. It's virtually guaranteed that the smaller houses will be torn down as soon as their owners decide to sell.
Quote:
Originally Posted by TheOverdog
Not sure about the NY brownstones. Did they originally have large yards that were sold and subdivided?
I personally think "large house/small lot" is a primary factor of mcmansionness. If you want a real mansion, buy the appropriate amount of land to fit your large home on. I think most LA mansions are mcmansions - the original of the species in fact. I don't necessarily use mcmansion only a pejorative though.
If you have a large house on a small lot in the middle of nowhere, maybe, but I disagree if the houses are in desirable locations. Ledbury Park is probably comparably desirable now as a neighbourhood like The Annex was when it was built.
The Annex has large houses on small lots built around the turn of the century: Toronto, ON - Google Maps
Toronto is a city which is attractive to wealthy people, but the core has too high land values for multi acre estates to be affordable, even if you're very wealthy, so unless you're expecting Toronto's wealthy to live in a small house, or an apartment, large house/small lot is what it's going to be.
If it weren't for historical preservation and zoning restrictions (which are ok since The Annex's homes are quite special), it wouldn't surprise me if The Annex started seeing the construction courtyard homes extending all the way to the rear lot line or maybe 4 storey townhouses like in the most desirable neighbourhoods of London where you might have 5000 sf townhouses like these: London, UK - Google Maps
OK maybe not quite like Mayfair, but maybe something like this in Chicago: Lincoln Park, Chicago, IL, USA - Google Maps
So I think it should be more like large house, small lot AND low land value. Although personally, if the architecture is and construction quality are good, I would still call it a mansion.
I have a balloon framed house,that has a layer of 1x4 on walls and ceiling then 3/8 sheet rock.The floors have a layer of 1x8 then 3/4 plywood then 3/4 tang oak .With true 2x8 oak joists.The walls are yellow pine bottom plate to roof 2 story house.
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