Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Out With the Old

(Note: I published this a couple days ago, but under the date I had started it, a year ago. Don't know if it showed up in feeds, so I'm republishing with today's date.)

Here's how a stretch of the north side of the 3600 Block of Judah looked a couple years ago. Two cute pastel houses. (And one 1970's apartment building)


Then Pinky was demolished in November 2008.


And construction of a three story building ensued.


May 09

It sat for a very long time all done except a power meter on a piece of plywood sat out front. People moved in eventually. I had to give up on getting a photo without a car in it. Here it is in March 2011.


1940's, 1970's, and 2010's all in a row. I can imagine a person in the future loathing today's construction, and feeling nostalgic about the '70's stuff. It won't be me. Gold windows in black metal frames will always be ugly in my eyes.

Monday, March 28, 2011

Died and Went to Heaven



It started Friday when I saw 1501 Ortega come up on the MLS. It is this amazing Art Deco house I blogged about before. I've only found two other similar homes in the area.

Yesterday I walked over to the open house, wondering if the inside would be as inspiring as the exterior.


Through the front door I was greeted by this banister (and the friendly agent who let me take photos).


To the left is a sunken living room with round fireplace.


Back through the entry and the dining room into the kitchen. Look at the tiles, they must be original. There's a Wedgewood stove and space for a kitchen table.


Headed up the stairs and that's when I feared for my life. Be still my heart, a huge bathroom with pink fixtures.


There's a skylight, shower over to the right, and space for a vanity.


On either side of the bathroom are the bedrooms. Every door in the house has an applied design, including the front door.


Headed back down the stairs and said good-bye.


It isn't a very big house but I like the layout. There's a little backyard off the kitchen and the garage is reached by a driveway on 22nd Ave. It was built in 1940 and has been in the same family since 1954.

I love this house even more now that I've been inside. If it was mine I would replace the aluminum windows with wood and slowly acquire period furniture. I would wear an apron with roosters embroidered on it while I cooked meatloaf (which is saying a lot since I'm a vegetarian). I just need to acquire a large sum of money for a downpayment. Minor detail.

Monday, March 14, 2011

Apartment Hunting

Here's a named apartment building that's been hiding in plain sight. The Sunrise Apartments on 35th and Taraval, built in 1956.



Did you know how big the Kirkham Heights compound up at the top of 5th Ave is? I had no idea until I drove up there the other day. Several buildings totaling 86 units.