A few days ago I posted A story about the beautiful Wicks House on Jewett Parkway across the street from the Wright-designed Darwin Martin house in the Parkside neighborhood. Soon after that BRO posted an announcement for the 13th annual Parkside Tour of Homes which will be held in about 2 weeks on May 22. With that in mind I thought I would dig up an old post from February 2006 and keep the Parkside party going. The story was titled Then and Now #2 (I was not so slick with the story titles back then) and it highlighted a non-Wright part of the Darwin Martin complex which was actually the first bit of work in the ongoing restoration project. The house was renovated to hold the Martin House Restoration Corporation's offices. Since this the time that this house was reborn, the Martin House pergola, carriage house and conservatory were reconstructed and the spectacular visitor center was built (directly behind this house). Here is the original story unedited:
This house is a little known part of the Darwin Martin House complex. Of course it was not designed by Frank Lloyd Wright but it does form an interesting piece of the major renovation project which is on going at Jewett Parkway site. It was recently restored to mint condition by the Martin House Restoration Corporation for use as their offices. It sits adjacent to the west side of the Martin House. The spectacular renovation designed by Hamilton Houston and Lownie Architects also serves as a great example of the more common type of house that was likely to be built by the elite in the early part of the 1900's. The contrast in style between this house and the Martin House is striking, giving stark evidence of Wright's mastery and genius.
This house is quite fine in its own right and the renovation provides a wonderful example of how nicely these big houses can be polished up (See animated GIF). The house in its previous life was not in horrible condition, but it had become a bit dowdy. Removal of its grand porch and ill conceived additions had wrecked its refined proportions and compositional balance. The architects brought back that delicate balance of form and proportion with a new front porch and second floor bay window. They restored roof top balustrades and installed new windows. All of this is tied together with a subtle new color scheme of yellow creme and black. Exacting care was used to bring back all of its Victorian charm. The "now" picture does not do the house justice. I recommend going to see for yourself, 127 Jewett Parkway.
Images by Hamilton Houston and Lownie Architects
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This house is a little known part of the Darwin Martin House complex. Of course it was not designed by Frank Lloyd Wright but it does form an interesting piece of the major renovation project which is on going at Jewett Parkway site. It was recently restored to mint condition by the Martin House Restoration Corporation for use as their offices. It sits adjacent to the west side of the Martin House. The spectacular renovation designed by Hamilton Houston and Lownie Architects also serves as a great example of the more common type of house that was likely to be built by the elite in the early part of the 1900's. The contrast in style between this house and the Martin House is striking, giving stark evidence of Wright's mastery and genius.
This house is quite fine in its own right and the renovation provides a wonderful example of how nicely these big houses can be polished up (See animated GIF). The house in its previous life was not in horrible condition, but it had become a bit dowdy. Removal of its grand porch and ill conceived additions had wrecked its refined proportions and compositional balance. The architects brought back that delicate balance of form and proportion with a new front porch and second floor bay window. They restored roof top balustrades and installed new windows. All of this is tied together with a subtle new color scheme of yellow creme and black. Exacting care was used to bring back all of its Victorian charm. The "now" picture does not do the house justice. I recommend going to see for yourself, 127 Jewett Parkway.
Images by Hamilton Houston and Lownie Architects
House porn-love it. These are great posts, Steele, as they not only show physical manifestations of Buffalo's rebirth, but also highlight one of the city's greatest assets: architecture. Some have likened Buffalo's architecture to Iowa's corn.
What exactly does house porn mean?
I am sure you can figure it out if you try really hard, Duffster.
Something of little artistic or intellectual value that is just here for your arousal and excitement?