A tip of the hat to Lynn Becker, who directs readers to the New York Times‘ recent profile of Richard Driehaus. The Chicago-based investor and preservationist has plenty of opinions about the city’s architecture, stating that “design today is just not as heartfelt” and aligning himself instead with the “organic, natural and harmonious” forms of the 19th century.
“Modern architecture has become totally homogenized and uninteresting,” he said. “We’re losing our sense of who we are, how we developed and where we’re going. One streetscape in Prague is worth all of Dubai, visually.”
Becker questions those blanket statements and offers up Koolhaas and Jahn (remember him?) as examples of perfectly decent modern architects, but he also suggests that Driehaus’ restoration of the Nickerson Mansion for his new Musuem of Decorative Arts could be “nothing short of spectacular” when it opens later this year.
Well, there’s a big difference between a 19th century building and a new building that poorly mimics a 19th century building. With definite exceptions, well-executed “modernism” is the only type of new construction that is honest about the way it is built. Most of the faux historic stuff being built today is tacky and fake. Stone facades are just that–merely a thin veneer facade with silicon construction joints where there used to be mortar. Masonry is typically on one wythe deep with steel studs or wood backup walls. Thick walls are now thin. Windows have no depth. Once gracious details are dumbed down and simplified. Gross gross gross!!!!
Either way, Zekas and IPirate would rather see it bulldozed for a parking podium. It is in River North after all. How is this building different than the townhomes on Huron? Anyone?
paulj,
You’re not speaking for me. To rephrase your question: how is a pristine historic mansion different from a third-rate townhome? Doesn’t the question answer itself?
Which one is the NYT writing about, for example?
Joe, do you believe that the only historic buildings worthy of salvation are those of the wealthy upper class? Not sure what you mean by third rate. Class distinction?
I believe that we should preserve a range of buildings and not necessarily only those that glorify the wealthy, likely built on the backs of slave labor and the poor.
Uptown, I agree in general, but is this not the fault of developers and architects not doing a good job? So because they refuse to do quality work, we should eliminate good historical architecture? Much of the modern stuff is even more dreary and cheap. The South Michigan Ave. Streetscape was better with abandoned buildings versus the souless, bland parking podiums put in by CMK. There is zero liveliness to the ground floor streetscape; the sunken retail space is un-inviting, which reminds one of WWII pill-boxes. (which may be why the retail spaces are still empty)
paulj,
You can look at the criteria for landmarking for an approximation of my answer.
These townhomes don’t meet any of the criteria as far as I can see.
I like variety in the streetscape also, and like seeing older buildings. The question is who should pay for my likes and yours. Imposing an obligation on a property owner to do that out of the blue, and at the whim of changing and unpredictable tastes, makes no sense at all.
PaulJ,
you mean those lovely townhomes at Huron and STATE.
“I can hear those dozers comin’, dere coming down State Street. I can hear PaulJ cryin’, cause his tinkin’ is elite.”
I picture Johnny Cash singing that song. Call it PaulJ Brownstone Blues.
Those townhomes are not particularly unique. They are not special like PaulJ. In another less dense location they likely would be worth saving, but unless PaulJ wants to purchase them then I suggest he find something else to whine about.
Me I want the parking podium and the people and the taxes. There are times when limitations have to be put on private property for the aesthetic good. Those times should be very LIMITED.
By doing that you are essentially taking money out of someone’s pocket. Including in the larger sense mine.
IPpy and Joe,
As I watch the sunset over Tortola, I realize that I am sparring with two spastic consumers looking for tomorrow’s fee income but not at the long view. You would both love my present location in Virgin Gorda, lots of opportunity to create property taxes. Too late though, the Rockefeller’s bought a good portion of land here in the USVI/BVI and put a conservation easement over it. Damn capitalistic communists!
The difference between real estate and other forms of property is that we all live in the built environment. We have to live with and look at the consequences of cheesy developers and their greasy sidekick brokers. They could care a less what they leave as their legacy as long as they get their pile of money.
The tastemakers of the world should have control over those with a lack of taste and vision. The tastemakers of real estate are the urban planners and architects.
When you think of the great places in the world, do you imagine parking podiums and cheapo condo towers? To hell with Paris and Rome (and what is left of Berlin, right IPpy?). Let’s build condos on every square inch of Kauai, Yellowstone and doze the art deco district of South Beach.
I do think those buildings on HURON today are better than what is planned.
Sparring with brokers and with no long term world view is tiresome.
I need another rum punch.
The phrase “pretentious ass” comes to mind reading PaulJ’s lovely post.
Oh the tastemaker’s should decide. Sounds a bit like Fascism to me. Let our betters decide.
Oh well enjoy your drink. When you sober up you will still be you.
irishpirate,
I think you’re misreading paulj. He’s clearly just parodying and poking fun at a certain mode of thinking that no one who’s out of high school takes seriously.
Joe,
let me eat another twinkie and drink some wine and I’ll get back to you. Part of it seems to be parody and part not. Again, PaulJ operates in a realm beyond my IQ or experience so I am likely missing something.
Why don’t you guys just exchange numbers and doing the heavy breathing over the phone instead. Care to address any of the issues or does it sting too much?
Vat issues?
You like the townhomes over on STATE and Huron. You seem to believe that your aesthetic sense is superior to all others and that in the end nothing matters, but that.
Perhaps you should get tears in your eyes and run for President because you know what is best.
Now go have your drink and when you wake up look in the mirror. It will still be you.
What I really enjoy about this is how clearly I annoy you and have gotten to you. Keep bringing up those lovely brownstones at STATE and Huron. When they get torn down I hope I know beforehand so I can take some pics and post them for you. You really shouldn’t get all that worked up about this. It will decrease your life expectancy and the idea of you not draining Social Security only brings more joy to my mercenary heart.
Plus it is all silly silly silly as “da mare” might say.
Which is utterly silly because in the end we all know that you will sit at the right hand of God in the afterlife and banish us all to hell.
IPpy,
I thought this site was about real estate and architecture, not wishing each other an early death, but that must be your clumsy upbringing. It is too easy to pick on you so I will stop.
Final point, I think we need more preservation, you more tax revenue. Why more revenue? I can only think that you dole out demolition permits in the basement of city hall… Are you on commission?
I also do not believe that those unskilled in design should have much say over the built environment just as you would not want me to rewire your house or wash your dog.
Review boards consisting of architects, urban planners, landscape architects, artists and, OK accomplished developers should have final say.
paulj,
Address the issues? You don’t have any issues – just attitude. You think you’re sparring with real estate brokers? Who are they? You’re sparring with ghosts. I’m not a broker and I dn’t think irishpirate is either.
We have this minor but convenient barrier to the tastemakers ruling – it’s called the US Constitution and our democratic traditions. Long may they reign!
How unfortunate for you to have to live in a world that the people rule.
PaulJ,
I am neither a real estate broker nor city employee. By the way the only city employees typically on “commission” involving real estate are alderbeasts. Sometimes the “commission” is called a campaign contribution. Other times the Feds call it a bribe. Bribe is such a nasty word. I prefer the term “gratuity of a questionable nature”.
As for my comment on Social Security you have proven time and again over and over and over and over that your understanding of the concept of “sarcasm” is limited. As is your appreciation of the concept of freedom. Your whole top down aesthetic thing seems to remind me of a little man who once shaved his head and spoke from balconies. I seem to recall him being shot and then hung out by Italian partisans, but maybe he was hung and then shot. I should look it up.
While I look it up why don’t you consider the whole concept of freedom focusing on property rights and the rights of the unwashed masses not to be told what to do by their intellectual and moral superiors.
One last thing, PaulJ, if you really want to wash my dog let me know. I won’t feed him for a few days prior to the washing. Maybe he can go all “MacGruff the Crime Dog” on ya and take a bite out of that attitude you have. It may go over well in Paris, but us provincials don’t appreciate it.
On second thought the dog might die of food poisoning. Nevermind.
Joe, has inferred my murder three times in this blog and Jane get spammed for commenting on falling real estate prices?
Hmmm.