Horror Show Friday

Mr. B and all;

I have to agree with Rob's comments regarding the purpose of continuing this series in its present form. Yes, we all are aware that these homes will not win an award in "Architectural Digest" or whatever other design magazine Bay Ridge Girl keeps next to her toilet.

I'd like to propose a new idea concerning this feature, picking up on some comments of last week. I believe, as I said last week, that there must be some reality that the 100's of small contractors that build these homes face. It cannot be that all these myriad builders have malice in their heart, and so collude to produce this stuff. There is some factor in the marketplace that results in these homes, either on the supply or demand side. I think it would be worthwhile to investigate these factors, both on the demand and supply side.

Why not have a feature in which the builders of these homes talk about the supply constraints they face? Someone last week mentioned that you are already doing this with the "3rd and Bond" feature. The builders of Fedder homes are in a COMPLETELY different league, however from Hudson, the developer of 3rd and Bond. These guys operate on much smaller margines, and don't have time for such niceties as thinking up a clever marketing slogan for each development,the proper veneer for the kitchen cabinets, etc..

At the same time,I think you should interview folks who have purchased these homes,and explore their feelings about them. It just may be that they like these homes for reasons that have nothing to do with their aesthetics (shocking as that may be to the Brownstoner community).

How about it Mr. B? If you really want to eliminate this scourge of Brooklyn, let's investigate the market, and see what can be done about it.

Absent any market research, allow me to posit the reason for these homes: some folks actually like them!! My sister lives in Staten Island, in a newish development of homes that are a few steps up from a Fedders home. My sister has a flair for design, so she has followed through on the observations of Montrose **4QOTD** Morris. She has placed a flower box in front of the meters, and undertaken other aesthetic improvements to the home. She is, however, a distinct minority in her development. Most folks could not give a damn. My sister is so fed up that she is selling her place.

In my opinion, also expressed by Bob Marvin last week, the driver behind these homes are folks' values and expectations. I believe that if you want to eliminate these homes, the key lies in changing folks' tastes and values, which is a big topic for another day.

Posted by: benson at January 16, 2009 12:03 PM

Cobblehiller;

I hear what you're saying, and I've said the same thing on past Horror Show threads. If Mr. B. just continues this feature in its present form, then I think it is just plain snobbery, akin to "Look how the peasants live". That is why I'm posing the challenge to him.

CW;

Agreed. That is my point: the consumer expectations must be raised.

Posted by: benson at January 16, 2009 12:16 PM

BRG;

Did you take the time to read what I wrote in full, before trying to come out with a pithy remark???

I made the following statement in my challenge:

"How about it Mr. B? If you really want to eliminate this scourge of Brooklyn, let's investigate the market, and see what can be done about it."

What I would like to see happen is that economical, well-designed homes be built for folks on the lower end of the income spectrum.

Please take the time to read people's posts before commenting on them.

Posted by: benson at January 16, 2009 12:35 PM

Chaka;

I am not familiar with the homes on Malcolm Ave Blvd, but I am familiar with those near the Atlantic Center (which were built by Bruce Ratner, by the way!).

I don't disagree that these homes are nice,and respect the surrounding brownstone aesthetic. I discount those homes in this discussion for one reason: they were built with government subsidies. I am not saying that as a knock against government-subsidized housing, I'm saying that the builders of these homes operate in a completely different world than that of the private builder. For example: they usually receive the land already cleared by the city, and it is sold to them at some low nominal price. Also, government-subsidized builders of homes can build in a way that private builders can't. For instance,in the homes near the Atlantic Center, the cars are not parked in the front of the homes, they are relegated to a common lot. This is not an option for most private builders.

What I am asking about is the situation for privately-built homes.

Bxgrl: you're reading too much into my "4 QOTD" insert. It was just meant as a joke!

Posted by: benson at January 16, 2009 1:10 PM

Montrose and all;

Well, it looks like we have all come to the same conculsion, and hopefully Mr. B will wrap this Hoor Show Friday up, and move on as we suggest.

A few more thoughts:

-I remember that about 5 years ago the previous Queens borough president (I can't remember her name right now) tried to bring together a consortium of builders, real estate agents, community planners, etc. to try to figure out why moderate-income hosuing could not be built to the standards as those of the 1920's, when many attractive moderate-income rowhouses were built. I don't know what happened to this effort, but it seemed to go nowhere.

-I think there is a great opportunity for an entrpeneur out there to tackle this problem. As CWB said, there has to be a happy medium. It seems to me that some architecture/design firm should take a shot at developing a "template" for these private builders to use that optimizes materials, design and techniques so as to produce economical, functional and attractive housing, at a profit to the builder.

Posted by: benson at January 16, 2009 1:46 PM

Leave the old rowhouses to us Italians....We like to fix things up!

;-)

Posted by: benson at January 16, 2009 4:47 PM

Nanook;

Those in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. You are someone who publishes a blog on such navel-gazing topics as your personal diet plan. Talk about too much time on your hand. At least we are discussing issues like city-planning, aesthetics and other public topics.

Posted by: benson at January 16, 2009 8:49 PM