OMG - For the price of a butt-ugly 2 BR 1960s tract home in Silicon Valley...

[El Pinko]

...You can have this lavish historical MANSION in Detroit.

Not "McMansion", MANSION.
$899K




http://www.realtor.com/realestate/1093045356/#Detail

Magnificent Landmark Historic Mansion on 1/2 City Block in Boston-Edison Historic District. Exquisite detailing T/O the 30 Room Limestone Showplace designed by Albert Kahn. Unmatched quailty of contruction and finshwork, inclu. Lavish Paneling, Marble, Pewabic Tile, Muraled Ceilings & more. Spectacular Kitchen with Granite Countertops & Marble Floors! 1100 sq. ft. Bedroom Apartment above 3 1/2 Car Garage. 24 Hour Notice to show/Pre-Approved Buyers

I realize that Detroit has been depressed for a long time and all, but dang...

[msongs]

1. is the dining set and chandelier included? nt

[Buzz Clik]

2. Crikey! About the cost of utilities ... if you have to ask, you can't afford it.

[meegbear]

3. Well that's fine for the servants ...

but where am I going to live?

[Blue_Tires]

4. yeah, plenty of those were built up around the city

in the first half of the 20th century when the automakers were beginning to soar...if the city's economy ever makes a full comeback, those prices will go back up...

[Tyler Durden]

5. Think that's nice, you should see some of the apartment buildings

The Davenport Building is about 100' from the parking structure for Max Fisher Orchestra Hall. It was open for residency as short as 2 years ago. A historic designated large apartment building, it makes the Wayne Court (on the PDF) look shabby, but now it's boarded up and fenced off.

http://www.ci.detroit.mi.us/historic/districts/cass_davenport.pdf

The disintegration of great cities like Detroit is a travesty that our descendants will shame us for.

[xchrom]

6. beautiful place.

think of the work it took to build places like that -- no mcmansion will ever have that charm and grace.

one thing that can't be denied -- modernity -- to a certain extent -- has become synonymous with cheap.

[Straight Shooter]

8. I agree with your assessment.

I have a friend that sometimes we travel together to other cities. He's always pointing out gargantuan houses in fancy neighborhoods, exclaiming, "Look at that piece of crap. NO CHARACTER!!"

Just look at how bridges have changed. They were once works of stunning architectural beauty, pride was shown by the intricate details. Now they're designed for economy and efficiency, for the most part, although there are some that are quite stunning.

[zorahopkins]

9. A Bridge OF Stunning Beauty.

Here's a bridge I've always thought to be of stunning beauty, built several years ago:

[MadHound]

7. To large for my tastes,

I think that I'll stick with my 2700 sq ft turn of the century house on twenty acres, for about a fifth of the costs.

Housing prices all over the Midwest are still fairly reasonable, how folks on the coasts can afford those sky high prices:shrug: Why you continue to pay them is the real head scratcher to me. $900,000 for a starter home, I think that I'd be moving.