This undoubtedly raises some larger point about land costs, affordable housing, density … but this just tickled my inner 10-year-old boy.
Just off Centre Street, near the Pike.
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Crazy Divers: Men be like...
drivers man be like
What are we supposed to be looking at? I see a house on stilts. I’m not quite sure why
You will find two more in similar state of stilts on Walnut Park by the old Aquinas…
Raised to create new foundation? Maybe basement or garage?
Are we looking at a brand new house on stilts because the land grade is so bad it cannot be built in?
Or are we looking at an old house which is being raised to create a 3rd level? The costs would be insane!
Bugek:
Old house. This is a strategy for preservation older homes that need a lot of repair. New basement, original house (and ideally original finishes) preservered, new walk out basement for more space, new windows, new insulation, etc. I’m not sure if it is a complete gut rehab, if so then some charm may be lost. But better than the alternative teardown.
What is great is that the house next to it suffered a huge fire a few years ago, and the new owners restored it to its full glory. I wanted to knock on their door and give them a hug. I thought they did a tremendous job.
I like to tell people that someone stole the foundation and left the house on blocks.
There have been a bunch of these over the years. They lift them up and put in new foundations, sometimes moving the house on the lot, sometimes building a bigger foundation and expanding the house.
I posted this just because I think the mechanics of this are awesome. My kids and I always get a kick out of seeing what my then three-year-old son named a lifty-up-house.
I mean, seriously, how cool is this?
Pretty cool, Sean. I love these and watching the houses that get moved to another location completely. Now I know they’re called “lifty-up-houses.” Thanks.
There is another one at 115 Manchester Rd, in NH; corner of Duncklee and Manchester, off Walnut St. The developer is now bumping out walls everywhere but did a great job keeping one traditional part of the roof that is curved and graceful.