Why is housing so bland and cheaply built in Seattle? (Pacific: townhouses, construction)

[wallbuilder]

I was just in the Washington D.C. area and houses there are visually appealing and look sturdy. New townhouses have concrete foundation, brick sides, classic architecture. Here in Seattle the new boxy townhouses are not only bland but built from thin wood that looks like it came from Home Depot. Same deal with regular houses across both cities.

Examples below (both ~$700k).

New townhomes being built on Cap Hill:



Same price range in D.C.:

[Diana Holbrook]

I'm no fan of OSB, but your photos are not exactly good comparisons.... show us the lower townhouses at the same stage of construction. Who knows what's under those facades, or what the final details will be on the above?

[wallbuilder]

Originally Posted by Diana Holbrook

I'm no fan of OSB, but your photos are not exactly good comparisons.... show us the lower townhouses at the same stage of construction. Who knows what's under those facades, or what the final details will be on the above?

This is artist's construction of how it will look

https://ssl.cdn-redfin.com/photo/1/m...536506_2_0.jpg

https://ssl.cdn-redfin.com/photo/1/m....1536506_0.jpg

[Diana Holbrook]

Originally Posted by wallbuilder

This is artist's construction of how it will look

https://ssl.cdn-redfin.com/photo/1/m...536506_2_0.jpg

https://ssl.cdn-redfin.com/photo/1/m....1536506_0.jpg

It does look very contemporary Seattle. The brick doesn't really look like Seattle.

[flyingsaucermom]

Looks like strong Japanese influence above. I have noticed it's become more and more trendy here too (not that I know design). A sort of modern minimalist. Clearly you could connect our proximity to Pacific ports and immigration patterns with design influences, but I also think tech industry has an influence as well as having a smart home seems to go better with the smart phone than more traditional style housing that predates mobile phones.. cars, electricity and concrete roads...

[bergun]

I lived in NYC for over 10 years and I didn’t care too much for the old brownstone townhomes in Brooklyn, which was basically the norm there. “I” prefer the architecture based more on the modern/minimalist designs that are more common here in the PNW.

“I” simply like modern straight and clean lines with plenty of natural light. I also think this was also influenced by my time I spent in Germany and in Switzerland... Both of those countries also have plenty of traditional styled construction, was well as very modern designs... Often, side by side.

[razmatazzy]

the Seattle version is too much of a fishbowl with all that glass. Needs lots of privacy blinds especially at night when lights are on.

[leastprime]

OP, See the metal straps that tie the OSB exterior wall boards together? The straps is to give the structure more integrity but enough flexibility for the Big One. Building a stone/masonry structure is not recommended in this area. If you want, you can have a facing of stone/masonry.

[Transmition]

Brick houses fall down in earthquakes, wooden ones flex.


Seattle houses don't have to match all the existing historic old buildings, so it isn't quite as boringly similar everywhere.

[Botev1912]

Originally Posted by razmatazzy

the Seattle version is too much of a fishbowl with all that glass. Needs lots of privacy blinds especially at night when lights are on.

Why don't people in Seattle like natural light? That is the most important thing for me when looking for a home.