I don't know how you feel about these things. My personal preference is to have a brand new house with all the modern conveniences ... in a package that looks old and classy, lived in and lovable.
Anyway, I don't know how you feel about teardowns. I take them on a case by case basis and hope for the best.
I've caught 3 teardowns early in the process. These are in Atlanta's Morningside / Lenox Park neighborhood.
Here is teardown #1.
This is the elevation that's in the permit box. It's compact with nice grounded roof-lines, three stories that don't look like 3 stories. The gables, arches, stonework, and curvy roof-lines are in keeping I think. Good lentils. Dovecotes are a bit rare around here.
This is the old house.
They've saved the garage for now. Is this lot impossibly small? They'll squeeze in everything a modern bank loan will require for our neighborhood. Who needs a lot of lawn when you can walk to Georges?
The is the second's "before" picture.
It's the one on the left.
It's been rather down in the mouth for a good while. It was well proportioned. It was close to the sidewalk and the level front yard made it quite welcoming, easily passing the Architecture Tourist Grandma-Mailbox Test.
It didn't have a solid re-do as many did in the 80's or 90's. Deaths without wills, out of town owners often leave houses unloved or abandoned for years. Who knows about this one?
It's neighbors are looking good though.
I saw the plans by Rutledge Alcock Architects but I couldn't get a shot of the elevation. I liked it, kind of a craftsman revival. It will certainly pack in the square footage. The lot slopes down so there is room for a garage and daylight terrace level below the street.
Teardown number 3 is in Lenox Park, on a hill. Lenox park is north of Morningide, east of Lenox Road, south Cheshire Bridge. The 3/4 acre on a hill has the feeling of a little estate.
It's was from 1952. Was the wing an addition?
I didn't see the elevations on this one. There is plenty of room for a whopper.
Many Lenox Park houses have a pedigree.
Dare I ask your position on teardowns?
I'm joining and thanking Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday.