I choose to live in a 100+-year-old house, and I am very happy to adhere to the restrictive covenants the Historic Richmond Foundaton placed on the deed years ago. I’m also very happy to receive the benefits of the Va. DHR’s historic tax credit program. Both of these required my husband and me to pay close attention to the historic fabric of our house, interior and exterior, when we rehabbed it.

I think it’s extremely important to save the buildings that give a neighborhood its historic character. I think it’s also extremely important to make sure that new construction in a historic neighborhood is similar in scale, massing and setback to its neighbors.

But I don’t think new construction should be a slavish reproduction of what’s already there. Just as architectural styles and tastes changed from 1850 to 1910, they continue to change today. We have new materials to use, new styles of architectural ornamentation, new building techniques, etc. A building can refer to and complement its neighbors without being made to look as if it were designed and built 100 years ago.

True and can see your point. But the WRVA building was placed on the fringe of the community though and so sits pretty much on its own. Build it in the middle of the 400 block of lets say, 24th Street and see what kind of reaction you would get!

19th century architects were playing things safe even when trends changed and did not dot the neighborhoods with multiple styles. Between 1880 and 1910 you will see most houses built then were of the order – Italianate Victorian and for the most part “new” mass construction in Church Hill stopped around then too so… we should keep what we have preserved meaning nothing design wise newer than what would have been built 1910 or earlier. It is a matter of “preservation” of a small community – people “chose” to move to and not an entire city so can’t figure out why they balk when told what is right or wrong? Owners/renters should have known what they bought/moved into when they did so along with the commitments.

We don’t want to get into yet ANOTHER what is right and what is wrong concerning construction in Church Hill. No, it isn’t 1860 but many communities have lost their 1860s or earlier structures due to shortsighted people that can’t appreciate the past. That is why we have groups and organizations as well as government protected buildings and communities – which includes ours.

The building is out of place and Church Hill has no reason for modernistic structures ripping the historic fabric of what is supposed to be a protected community. It would be fine in other areas of the city but just doesn’t fit in East of 21st Street.

Every day when I drive by these pre-fab buildings I sigh because stone masons and their craft has all but disappeared leaving facades bland and without character so yes, the building would have looked plain and boxy yet could have been dressed up with artistic brickwork or stone carvings. Personally I despise the “industrial” look in a residential area and hate the exposed skeleton interiors of these warehouse condos – not very formal.

My political affiliation is of no relevence, except that your statement insinuates that you are a Republican, and that Republicans believe that blatant racism is cool. I suspect some Republicans in this, and other, community would have an issue with you making that implication.

If you knew me, you would know that I am anything but politically correct. However, summing up an entire ethnicity the way that you did is as racist as it gets. And it wasn’t even the slightest bit funny, but laced with nastiness. I couldn’t let someone drop the N word in casual convo and not say how ridiculous that is, and felt I needed to say something here.

I find it amazing that folks such as yourself actually try to justify slurs as if they are just fine. (And telling me to suck your balls isn’t really doing much for making your case, buddy.)

Just one individual’s opinion. Good luck with everything.

Over and out.

(I’ve removed the last sentence of this comment. – John)

Guess what! There is a whole big country to the South of us, and lots of what they are about has absolutely nothing to do with the news blips that folks like you swallow whole from Bill O’Reilly and crew. Try visiting sometime, and you just might meet some very lovely and hospitable people.

ps – It’s never too late to stop being an American embarrassment.

Eric