50 States of McMansion Hell: Fairfax and Loudoun County, Virginia

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm just disappointed that my favorite McMansion model didn't catch her eye. I drove by one of these that is visible from Georgetown Pike and burst out laughing. It's just that over the top.

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/804-Hortense-Pl-Great-Falls-VA-22066/246582720_zpid/?mmlb=g,0

LOL! Omg that is absolutely hideous!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:But these people evidently have tons of money and can't hire a decent architect.

I'd rather pay the $1.2 mil I did for my eyesore of a house with some land than $1.2 mil for a tiny townhouse in an urban setting.

Sorry, it's hard to hear the haters within my 6,200 sqft.

Actually I'm sure you hear just about everything in your 6,200 sqft McMansion. Your walls are paper thin and everything is builder grade.

The worst part about visiting a McMansion is using their first floor powder room. You know everyone can hear your unbuttoning your pants, etc.

So true. We are not in a McMansion by any means (60s construction) but when we redid our powder room we saw a "ultra-quiet" bathroom fan. Our contractor suggested not doing that. When asked why he pointed out that the fan doesn't just mask smells.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm just disappointed that my favorite McMansion model didn't catch her eye. I drove by one of these that is visible from Georgetown Pike and burst out laughing. It's just that over the top.

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/804-Hortense-Pl-Great-Falls-VA-22066/246582720_zpid/?mmlb=g,0

LOL! Omg that is absolutely hideous!!!

That thing is laughably bad. The giant castle like roofs and the already outdated looking appliances is hilarious

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm just disappointed that my favorite McMansion model didn't catch her eye. I drove by one of these that is visible from Georgetown Pike and burst out laughing. It's just that over the top.

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/804-Hortense-Pl-Great-Falls-VA-22066/246582720_zpid/?mmlb=g,0

LOL! Omg that is absolutely hideous!!!

That thing is laughably bad. The giant castle like roofs and the already outdated looking appliances is hilarious

Check out pic 28--there are like 5 identical Mc-Castles there, called "Hortense Place."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are local custom builders and we employ a licensed AIA architect who cuts up designs just like these. Some are spec homes, others are where our homeowner clients comes to us and then sits down with this architect to design the plan. So the argument that builders just use a "draftsman/CAD operator" is just BS. The fact most don't want to face is these homes sell because they are large and spacious and that is why architects design them and we build them. I don't see this changing anytime soon..

Supply and demand....Agree with the PP builder. The DMV like any other metro area is diverse with funds to construct large homes, etc. While we live in a modest "tear down" neighborhood, we don't mind it one bit. Looking forward to dumping our home soon. The 1200 sqft ramber across from us just sold for $850K in one week with zero contingencies - for the lot only. We purchased our 3/4 acre lot with the home in 2004 for $220K. We get offers all the time for our property. The newer larger homes the McMansion Hell author and others are whinning about does not resonate with us. There is so much economic benefit from all of this - increased tax base, construction jobs, investment in the community, and of course more $$ in our pocket to take our $850K (mostly tax free of course) elsewhere and prosper!! Bunch of idiots you are!!!

All of which would still take place if the zoning allowed new THs, small apt buildings, etc.

Except more housing units, more economic diversity, more sustainability.

[Anonymous]

There are plenty of townhouse complexes being built in this area. ^^^^

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are local custom builders and we employ a licensed AIA architect who cuts up designs just like these. Some are spec homes, others are where our homeowner clients comes to us and then sits down with this architect to design the plan. So the argument that builders just use a "draftsman/CAD operator" is just BS. The fact most don't want to face is these homes sell because they are large and spacious and that is why architects design them and we build them. I don't see this changing anytime soon..

I have zero problems with a large, spacious home. But why does your architect choose asymmetrical windows, graceless rooflines, or features from a mix of eras (like gables with castle turrets)? The buyers aren't making those choices, you are. The buyers are buying despite these features, because space and location trump aesthetic problems.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are local custom builders and we employ a licensed AIA architect who cuts up designs just like these. Some are spec homes, others are where our homeowner clients comes to us and then sits down with this architect to design the plan. So the argument that builders just use a "draftsman/CAD operator" is just BS. The fact most don't want to face is these homes sell because they are large and spacious and that is why architects design them and we build them. I don't see this changing anytime soon..

I think the distinction is that some of these (what she terms "McMansions") are to many folks' eye ugly. There is nothing inherently wrong or ugly about a well balanced, large house well situated on a lot. The things that turn a house from appropriate to hellish for me are (1) when it looks like the architect/designer/builder played spin the wheel of architectural features rather than constructing a cohesive whole and (2) when the house to lot square footage ratio gets too high. A 4000 square foot house on a .75 acre lot (house sqft being about 10% to 15% of lot). This seems about right to me -- maybe could have supported bigger.

The blog does a great job with the former objection so I'll demonstrate the latter point with a few examples from Arlington (I'm trying not to choose ones that are total trainwrecks):

This on the other hand has a house to lot ratio of almost .75 -- https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/4531-40th-St-N_Arlington_VA_22207_M53621-71773?view=qv

This one is nearly .80 -- https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/2817-N-Jefferson-St_Arlington_VA_22207_M65362-54520?view=qv

Over .85 -- https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/707-N-Barton-St_Arlington_VA_22201_M60548-32591?view=qv

For those of you who point out that Arlington is intended to be more high density (but perish the thought of multi-unit on one of these lots), here are some from Vienna which most of you likely view as "the sticks":

.45 -- https://www.redfin.com/VA/Vienna/107-James-Dr-SE-22180/home/9539940

.48 -- https://www.redfin.com/VA/Vienna/114-Tapawingo-Rd-SW-22180/home/9454174

.55 -- https://www.redfin.com/VA/Vienna/207-Ross-Dr-SW-22180/home/9529378

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are local custom builders and we employ a licensed AIA architect who cuts up designs just like these. Some are spec homes, others are where our homeowner clients comes to us and then sits down with this architect to design the plan. So the argument that builders just use a "draftsman/CAD operator" is just BS. The fact most don't want to face is these homes sell because they are large and spacious and that is why architects design them and we build them. I don't see this changing anytime soon..

When you say "cuts up" what do you mean? People come to you after they bought these houses to have them renovated?

[Anonymous]

I don't consider most of those to be McMansions.

I'm familiar with several of these and they are in places like Creighton Farms and Barclay Ridge Estates. They are not houses upon each other by any means. Each lot is 3+ acres.

Now, the homes in Green Mill Preserve out that way are definitely McMansions. They are one on top of another and all are nearly identical or at least identical to another one a few homes down.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are local custom builders and we employ a licensed AIA architect who cuts up designs just like these. Some are spec homes, others are where our homeowner clients comes to us and then sits down with this architect to design the plan. So the argument that builders just use a "draftsman/CAD operator" is just BS. The fact most don't want to face is these homes sell because they are large and spacious and that is why architects design them and we build them. I don't see this changing anytime soon..

I have zero problems with a large, spacious home. But why does your architect choose asymmetrical windows, graceless rooflines, or features from a mix of eras (like gables with castle turrets)? The buyers aren't making those choices, you are. The buyers are buying despite these features, because space and location trump aesthetic problems.

Please allow me to clarify. When we make the decisions, we know what a good plan/architecture looks like and appeals to the masses. You can have a large home that is "architecturally" pleasing and trust me, we know that is. We cannot afford to let a home sit to it has to sell - and our homes sell relatively quickly. When we refer a client for design to our architect, then the client calls the shots....and yes, they want turrets, high pitched roofs, dormers, marble throughout the home, fountains, and all of the other items pick on this forum...etc, etc. The architect and we give them exactly what they want and believe me, they are very pleased with it, and don't give a ratt's a## what other think!!! While we may make gentle suggestions on the design or material spec, they have the last say because we work for them. We don't scold them. It's their $$ and after all......and they are happy spending it this way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The girl who makes this site is uber annoying. I’m not a fan of oversized McMansions either, but let people live and like what they like.

She's a woman, not a child. Her writing focus is not just aesthetic - but how these homes lack sustainability, undermine sense of community, and exacerbate de facto housing segregation.

Sorry Ms. Feminista

And yeah, again that’s their choice. Why invest so much energy into something that doesn’t impact your life. The gi...err woman who writes this just comes across as sad and desperate. I’d never even want a home like this, but if people want to spend money on these giant wastes of space, good on them.

You are literally spending energy responding to people you don’t know, yet you judge.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are local custom builders and we employ a licensed AIA architect who cuts up designs just like these. Some are spec homes, others are where our homeowner clients comes to us and then sits down with this architect to design the plan. So the argument that builders just use a "draftsman/CAD operator" is just BS. The fact most don't want to face is these homes sell because they are large and spacious and that is why architects design them and we build them. I don't see this changing anytime soon..

I have zero problems with a large, spacious home. But why does your architect choose asymmetrical windows, graceless rooflines, or features from a mix of eras (like gables with castle turrets)? The buyers aren't making those choices, you are. The buyers are buying despite these features, because space and location trump aesthetic problems.

Please allow me to clarify. When we make the decisions, we know what a good plan/architecture looks like and appeals to the masses. You can have a large home that is "architecturally" pleasing and trust me, we know that is. We cannot afford to let a home sit to it has to sell - and our homes sell relatively quickly. When we refer a client for design to our architect, then the client calls the shots....and yes, they want turrets, high pitched roofs, dormers, marble throughout the home, fountains, and all of the other items pick on this forum...etc, etc. The architect and we give them exactly what they want and believe me, they are very pleased with it, and don't give a ratt's a## what other think!!! While we may make gentle suggestions on the design or material spec, they have the last say because we work for them. We don't scold them. It's their $$ and after all......and they are happy spending it this way.

NP. Yes. this is it. A lot of it is foreigners with different viewpoints on what is tasteful (white people do this too- see Trump's NY apt). I wish the plans had to be reviewed by a city board or something, at least exteriors. There are so many in Great Falls with turrets and ZERO landscaping. Landscaping should be mandatory. If you can afford 1 million, you can afford some shrubs and trees. It's a blight on the city because these houses don't resell and just sit and fall down.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are plenty of townhouse complexes being built in this area. ^^^^

If we banned McMansions on say, 50% of the parcels where developers want to build them, there would still be plenty of McMansions built right? But fewer, and they would be scarcer and more expensive than otherwise.

Well that is the reality today for townhomes. We severely restrict where they can be built, which makes them scarcer and more expensive than otherwise.

I am NOT saying every teardown needs to become townhomes (or, grab your pearls, apartments) instead of mcmansions. Just saying let the market decide, instead of having zoning that in many places bans anything except a detached SFH.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are plenty of townhouse complexes being built in this area. ^^^^

If we banned McMansions on say, 50% of the parcels where developers want to build them, there would still be plenty of McMansions built right? But fewer, and they would be scarcer and more expensive than otherwise.

Well that is the reality today for townhomes. We severely restrict where they can be built, which makes them scarcer and more expensive than otherwise.

I am NOT saying every teardown needs to become townhomes (or, grab your pearls, apartments) instead of mcmansions. Just saying let the market decide, instead of having zoning that in many places bans anything except a detached SFH.

The problem is the modest SFH you seen being built in the 70s-90s that’s 2500 sq ft, 4 bedrooms on a .25 acre lot are virtually gone these days because people like to cram these expensive 5000 sq ft McCraftsman on tiny lots.

It’s kinda funny when people rag on McMansions while living in those $1 million dollar craftman houses like these that are ALL over NOVA.

https://www.redfin.com/VA/Arlington/4712-N-Carlin-Springs-Rd-22203/home/148032889?utm_source=ios_share&utm_medium=share&utm_campaign=copy_link&utm_nooverride=1&utm_content=link