Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: preservation and community

[J . Massengale (J.Massengale]

>>Some large  (1,000 sq.ft./floor) two-story, 1910 vintage houses have been
relocated in Denver  with costs ranging $50,000-$150,000.  But heck, you
can't make 'em  like that today.

Actually, you can, but not for that price.

I was involved in the relocation of 5 18th century houses to a new street
(all of them were scheduled for demolition, for various reasons). That
usually involved making new beaded clapboard, new period-style windows, new
exterior, etc., because most of that had been thrown away in various
renovations and updates. Very few 18th century windows made it intact through
the Victorian period.

We also made 4 reproduction houses on the same street. Since they had the
same beaded clapboard, period-style windows, trim, etc., it was pretty hard
to tell the difference from the street. Similar things could be said about
the interiors, although new, genuinely old-looking finishes can get quite
expensive for those who want them.

A BIG issue in a project like that is making a site plan which respects the
character of the houses.

John Montague Massengale, AIA
Architect & Town Planner