Death of the McMansion?

[Houston parent]

There is a weird combination of arrogance and envy at work in this thread. If you don't like a particular type of house, don't buy it. What's the point of whining on the internet about the existence of houses that you don't find appealing?

[jerbear30]

Originally Posted by Houston parent

There is a weird combination of arrogance and envy at work in this thread. If you don't like a particular type of house, don't buy it. What's the point of whining on the internet about the existence of houses that you don't find appealing?

Neighborhoods are, to some extent, civic spaces. If they weren't there wouldn't be HOA's and the like. I'm generally not a fan of the HOA, but it does go to show that there is a civil contract involved in the upkeep of space, even when you own it. So the issue with the McMansions for me is that when you buy a very large house (like literally larger than has ever really been imagined for a nuclear family before about 1980), you've got some civic responsibility. What I think is that, it is clearly not sustainable, just from a distribution of space standpoint. At this rate, where so many of us continue to want to buy newer, bigger houses further out, that's going to eventually start eating up empty available space and it is going to require more automobility and so on. We've already seen the effects of this with some of the flooding from Harvey (not all, but some). So you've really either got to be thinking, "I know that what I'm doing is unsustainable and it will have to stop at some point, but for now, so what," or you just have your head in the sand so deep that you don't even consider something like that. That's the main issue I have. It's either willfully unsustainable or just dumb.

The other issue is that these houses are by most architectural measures ugly. To show you there's no hard feelings for the rich, I love driving and strolling through River Oaks. I'd live there myself some day if I could afford it. It's a beautiful area with lots of gorgeous houses and beautiful streets. It's not about the money. I live in a ranch house but there are some McMansions I could probably afford if I looked far enough out and maybe at some that have already been lived in. I'm Just not interested in that look/ethic/lifestyle.

[KerrTown]

Originally Posted by jerbear30

Neighborhoods are, to some extent, civic spaces. If they weren't there wouldn't be HOA's and the like. I'm generally not a fan of the HOA, but it does go to show that there is a civil contract involved in the upkeep of space, even when you own it.

Too bad the GOP Texas Lege is pro-HOA. There goes their pro-"freedom" rhetoric. (I do own my own house. What happened to property rights?)

[Houston321]

Such snobby responses. Not sure if it's jealousy, or the fact that many of you think your "ugly" is everyone else's ugly or what. But everyone has different likes and dislikes. Get off your high horse.

[Celiene61]

Originally Posted by Houston321

Such snobby responses. Not sure if it's jealousy, or the fact that many of you think your "ugly" is everyone else's ugly or what. But everyone has different likes and dislikes. Get off your high horse.

Ha Ha....agreed! You know the old saying Opinions are a lot like a$$h*les, everybody has one, everybody has to.....is evident in this thread.

Actually it is a rather funny thread.....

[MidCenturyMania]

I’ve found this to be one of the most entertaining threads here in a long while. It has covered architecture, sustainability and quality of life. No one should cast aspersions or call another “snobby” when we’re all here to share thoughts. To me, the bottom line is there are two kinds of people...those who love McMansions and those who detest them. I just wish the McMansions would keep to themselves and not infiltrate established neighborhoods thereby annihlating 80 percent of the tree canopies to accommodate them. I’d be willing to bet that everyone (McMansion haters and lovers) would all agree that driving down a heavily tree-shaded neighborhood street is far more pleasing than miles of scorched concrete, hot asphalt and composition shingles. Houston needs more tree huggers, damnit!

[RoamingTX]

Originally Posted by MidCenturyMania

I’ve found this to be one of the most entertaining threads here in a long while. It has covered architecture, sustainability and quality of life. No one should cast aspersions or call another “snobby” when we’re all here to share thoughts. To me, the bottom line is there are two kinds of people...those who love McMansions and those who detest them. I just wish the McMansions would keep to themselves and not infiltrate established neighborhoods thereby annihlating 80 percent of the tree canopies to accommodate them. I’d be willing to bet that everyone (McMansion haters and lovers) would all agree that driving down a heavily tree-shaded neighborhood street is far more pleasing than miles of scorched concrete, hot asphalt and composition shingles. Houston needs more tree huggers, damnit!

No. You forgot about the third category. The wildly vast majority of real people that simply don’t care about where someone else chooses to live.
The people that don’t judge someone’s “ethic” (as posted above) based on their housing choice.
The actual populace that doesn’t give the issue enough thought to anonymously debate it.

Grow up. All of you.

[testmo]

Ill build by 5200 sqft Rococo tuscan villa inspired farm house style home in approved lavender purple with my seagull inspired fountain right at my allowed property line right next door to you. Btw i dont believe in trees or landscaping


It looks great on prints! Nearly every window is a different shape and size. Leads to a sense of mystery. Like you ask why