Suburb of the week: Franklin Park (for sale, townhouse, building)

[Paul2421]

Originally Posted by xdv8

You have a serious axe to grind with LV. What's the big problem?

I don't see it as having an axe to grind. I don't find cargo lofts aesthetically pleasing. Everyone else is tearing down franklin park but I make a comparison to a city neighborhood and you are now up in arms? Would you rather have me point out the newer ugly housing in East Liberty? Seems a little bit of a double standard.

[xdv8]

Originally Posted by Paul2421

I don't see it as having an axe to grind. I don't find cargo lofts aesthetically pleasing. Everyone else is tearing down franklin park but I make a comparison to a city neighborhood and you are now up in arms? Would you rather have me point out the newer ugly housing in East Liberty? Seems a little bit of a double standard.

I mean in nearly every thread, not just this one.

[WhoIsStanwix?]

Originally Posted by Paul2421

i agree. i would never want one but they aren't any worse than some of the abominations being built in l'ville these days for around the same price. plus you get to send your kids to one of the best schools in the country.

For what it's worth, at least a few of us (eschaton, in particular) comment pretty regularly on how fugly some of the new construction in the city is. Bad/inconsistent setbacks, front-facing garages, cheap materials, and that horrific orange color. There is bad new(er) construction all over the place. In general, it seems like a lot of design is in the hands of builders rather than true architects and designers. Aesthetics and longevity are mostly an afterthought these days. Cheap material costs and speed of construction are more important. It would be nice to see more concrete-based construction like we see in Europe, which seems to have longevity in mind. I am not sure whether the aesthetics and environmental factors are better or worse than what we do, though.

New construction in both Franklin Park and Lawrenceville can equally be cited as following the "cheaper and faster is better" mantra.

[eschaton]

Originally Posted by WhoIsStanwix?

For what it's worth, at least a few of us (eschaton, in particular) comment pretty regularly on how fugly some of the new construction in the city is. Bad/inconsistent setbacks, front-facing garages, cheap materials, and that horrific orange color. There is bad new(er) construction all over the place. In general, it seems like a lot of design is in the hands of builders rather than true architects and designers. Aesthetics and longevity are mostly an afterthought these days. Cheap material costs and speed of construction are more important. It would be nice to see more concrete-based construction like we see in Europe, which seems to have longevity in mind. I am not sure whether the aesthetics and environmental factors are better or worse than what we do, though.

New construction in both Franklin Park and Lawrenceville can equally be cited as following the "cheaper and faster is better" mantra.

Speaking of new construction in Lawrenceville, I saw these the other day on Carnegie Street, and unlike most infill in the neighborhood, I kind of like them.



Now, the infill houses don't try to look historic in any way. No fake chimneys in sight, the window proportions are modern, and the cladding choices (particularly on the left house) are very contemporary. But they're understated in their design and color choices, and so don't stick out like a sore thumb like many infill homes. My only quibble would be the choice to set back the houses a few feet from the sidewalk, but that's a small thing, and if the owners plant some sort of bushes this will be less noticeable over time.

[xdv8]

Originally Posted by eschaton

Speaking of new construction in Lawrenceville, I saw these the other day on Carnegie Street, and unlike most infill in the neighborhood, I kind of like them.



Now, the infill houses don't try to look historic in any way. There's no fake chimneys, the window proportions are modern, the cladding choices (particularly on the left house) are very contemporary. But they're understated in their design and color choices, and so don't stick out like a sore thumb like many infill homes. My only quibble would be the choice to set back the houses a few feet from the sidewalk, but that's a small thing, and if the owners plant some sort of bushes this will be less noticeable over time.

There is some awful looking stuff being built in the East End but you are right, those Carnegie homes really aren't bad. There is some modern monster going up on 39th Street near Butler that looks very strange next to its neighbors.

I have plenty of complaints about the design of new city construction as well as new construction outside the city. I just don't care much about the latter.

[Copanut]

I can't imagine ANYONE paying this kind of money for a +- 1600SF house. And that 2 car garage is a tandem. Suckers only need apply.

[eschaton]

Originally Posted by Copanut

I can't imagine ANYONE paying this kind of money for a +- 1600SF house. And that 2 car garage is a tandem. Suckers only need apply.

Hrrm...seems to be a 3 bedroom, 3.5 bath. I really don't understand this trend towards making every single bedroom a "master suite." I mean, the average buyer in an urban area is either going to be a single person or a couple (with or without small children). The third bedroom may just be used as an office or media room, which means one of the full baths will seldom be used. The only cases where it might make sense - if a bunch of adults not in a relationship are sharing a house, or if a homeowner has 1-2 teenagers - are pretty unlikely for a house with this pricetag in Lawrenceville.

[Paul2421]

Originally Posted by eschaton

Hrrm...seems to be a 3 bedroom, 3.5 bath. I really don't understand this trend towards making every single bedroom a "master suite." I mean, the average buyer in an urban area is either going to be a single person or a couple (with or without small children). The third bedroom may just be used as an office or media room, which means one of the full baths will seldom be used. The only cases where it might make sense - if a bunch of adults not in a relationship are sharing a house, or if a homeowner has 1-2 teenagers - are pretty unlikely for a house with this pricetag in Lawrenceville.

Seems like people are just shooting for the stars with prices in l'ville and don't really care if they sit. They are most likely waiting for out of towners to see it as a deal. Someone may see it as an investment property though with the three bedrooms. The trend is to rent these days for young people. Maybe could get

[gg]

Originally Posted by prnlvsxy

Wow, the inside of this one is hideous! You'd think that someone that lives in that house might have some degree of good taste, but other than a couple of exceptions, most rooms in there are awful. And what's with the mirrors in the entryway? Straight from 1974!

When you can actually afford a home of that level you decorate to YOUR taste, not others. I think it is very fun and I would love to go in there and study such a home. Of course I have been in countless homes being in real estate for over two decades in the highest $ market, so I am always interested in the unusual. Love it!

[gg]

I thought this thread was about Franklin Park? Geez, seems we are talking about every other neighbor BUT FP. As usual, the north hills is very nice and expensive. People like to pretend a place like Lawrenceville is nice, but really, it is kind of crappy. I will take FP over anything in the city to be honest.