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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Twitter founder's home demolition plans a trending topic for neighbours | Twitter founder's home demolition plans a trending topic for neighbours |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| It is concise and pointed enough to be a tweet: "We don't want nouveau riches McMansions sprouting up all over our ridges." | It is concise and pointed enough to be a tweet: "We don't want nouveau riches McMansions sprouting up all over our ridges." |
| Unfortunately for Evan Williams, co-founder of Twitter, it is not a post in the micro-blogging ether but a line from hundreds of letters to San Francisco planning officials opposing his intention to build a new luxury home. | Unfortunately for Evan Williams, co-founder of Twitter, it is not a post in the micro-blogging ether but a line from hundreds of letters to San Francisco planning officials opposing his intention to build a new luxury home. |
| Neighbours around Edgewood Avenue in Parnassus Heights, one of the city's most desirable districts, have mobilised an angry campaign against his proposal to replace his existing house with a bigger, greener mansion. | Neighbours around Edgewood Avenue in Parnassus Heights, one of the city's most desirable districts, have mobilised an angry campaign against his proposal to replace his existing house with a bigger, greener mansion. |
| The revolt – more than 300 letters from neighbours and self-styled "Friends of Edgewood Avenue" around San Francisco – could turn the tech tycoon's architectural dreams into a war of attrition. | The revolt – more than 300 letters from neighbours and self-styled "Friends of Edgewood Avenue" around San Francisco – could turn the tech tycoon's architectural dreams into a war of attrition. |
| Williams bought the $2.9m property – hardwood floors, an open plan salon and four bedrooms with breathtaking views over three storeys – last year. It was built in 1915 by the architect Louis Christian Mullgardt and was listed in city records as a "potential historic resource". | Williams bought the $2.9m property – hardwood floors, an open plan salon and four bedrooms with breathtaking views over three storeys – last year. It was built in 1915 by the architect Louis Christian Mullgardt and was listed in city records as a "potential historic resource". |
| Earlier this year Williams, 40, and his wife Sara revealed plans to demolish the house and, with the help of architectural firm Lundberg Design, build a 7,700 sq ft successor into a slope. It would be 20ft lower than its predecessor and be a "zero net energy" home using solar panels, a green roof and sun-friendly windows. | Earlier this year Williams, 40, and his wife Sara revealed plans to demolish the house and, with the help of architectural firm Lundberg Design, build a 7,700 sq ft successor into a slope. It would be 20ft lower than its predecessor and be a "zero net energy" home using solar panels, a green roof and sun-friendly windows. |
| Even before the application was submitted to city planners, neighbours and critics from as far afield as Canada had filed form letters of protest, a backlash which in another medium might have been called trending. "This is such a unique property and it adds diversity of architectural interest to the neighborhood," wrote one neighbour, Elizabeth Wang. "It would be criminal to demolish it." | Even before the application was submitted to city planners, neighbours and critics from as far afield as Canada had filed form letters of protest, a backlash which in another medium might have been called trending. "This is such a unique property and it adds diversity of architectural interest to the neighborhood," wrote one neighbour, Elizabeth Wang. "It would be criminal to demolish it." |
| Some accused Williams of plotting to erect a McMansion. "A complete teardown of such a home would … set the stage for numerous future demolitions that will alter the character of our beloved SF Neighborhoods," one group, Friends of Parnassus Heights, wrote to the real estate blog SocketSite. | Some accused Williams of plotting to erect a McMansion. "A complete teardown of such a home would … set the stage for numerous future demolitions that will alter the character of our beloved SF Neighborhoods," one group, Friends of Parnassus Heights, wrote to the real estate blog SocketSite. |
| "Edgewood Avenue is a brick-lined street that features a large number of Arts and Craft homes from the early 1900s." The former Twitter CEO's existing house, it added, "clearly contributes in a significant way to the beauty of this unique street and its history". | "Edgewood Avenue is a brick-lined street that features a large number of Arts and Craft homes from the early 1900s." The former Twitter CEO's existing house, it added, "clearly contributes in a significant way to the beauty of this unique street and its history". |
| Not all agree. Williams's defenders, such as property site Sfcurbed.com, said Mullgardt was an "architectural footnote" and that in any case his original design was ruined by a 1970s remodelling. "It may have once been charming, but … has been stripped of its dignity and details over the decades, subdivided into apartments and then rebuilt by architect Thomas Eden in what's best described as faux-Frank Lloyd Wright with trapezoidal windows." | Not all agree. Williams's defenders, such as property site Sfcurbed.com, said Mullgardt was an "architectural footnote" and that in any case his original design was ruined by a 1970s remodelling. "It may have once been charming, but … has been stripped of its dignity and details over the decades, subdivided into apartments and then rebuilt by architect Thomas Eden in what's best described as faux-Frank Lloyd Wright with trapezoidal windows." |
| It said most objectors bemoaned the loss of a supposedly historic house they had never seen. "Many cited Evan Williams' vast wealth as a founder of Twitter as the real problem, like the ones who suggested he'd be happier in Presidio Heights." It called the campaign Nimby hate-mail. | It said most objectors bemoaned the loss of a supposedly historic house they had never seen. "Many cited Evan Williams' vast wealth as a founder of Twitter as the real problem, like the ones who suggested he'd be happier in Presidio Heights." It called the campaign Nimby hate-mail. |
| City planners are due to evaluate the demolition and building application later this month. | City planners are due to evaluate the demolition and building application later this month. |
| A neighbour named Anthony told the SF Examiner that while he opposed the demolition he resented attempts to "bully" the Williams family. "The neighbors against this have made it clear when passing out these petitions that they plan to be inhospitable and threatening." | A neighbour named Anthony told the SF Examiner that while he opposed the demolition he resented attempts to "bully" the Williams family. "The neighbors against this have made it clear when passing out these petitions that they plan to be inhospitable and threatening." |
| Comments | Comments |
| 4 comments, displaying first | 4 comments, displaying first |
| 9 August 2012 4:55PM | 9 August 2012 4:55PM |
| My grandfather lost his home/farm which he hand-built to eminent domain, for a highway which probably be built for at least a decade. Though this isn't the same thing, I empathize with SF. You feel so powerless when you are told to give up your home, or in this case to give up a local landmark that many consider part of their extended home. If we keep tearing down older buildings, we'll have nothing left to remember our past. Another thing is, the local residents don't have the resources to prevent this thing from happening -- while Williams could not only single-handedly overpower the entire community's wishes, but could just as easily find another beautiful location to build another beautiful mansion. | My grandfather lost his home/farm which he hand-built to eminent domain, for a highway which probably be built for at least a decade. Though this isn't the same thing, I empathize with SF. You feel so powerless when you are told to give up your home, or in this case to give up a local landmark that many consider part of their extended home. If we keep tearing down older buildings, we'll have nothing left to remember our past. Another thing is, the local residents don't have the resources to prevent this thing from happening -- while Williams could not only single-handedly overpower the entire community's wishes, but could just as easily find another beautiful location to build another beautiful mansion. |
| Link to this comment: | Link to this comment: |
| 9 August 2012 5:19PM | 9 August 2012 5:19PM |
| Why is "internet-gossip" headlining the technology section? What has gossip to do with technology? | Why is "internet-gossip" headlining the technology section? What has gossip to do with technology? |
| Yours Ivan | Yours Ivan |
| Link to this comment: | Link to this comment: |
| 9 August 2012 5:20PM | 9 August 2012 5:20PM |
| There are a lot of old rock piles from different eras that were built for VIPs of their time and were built to the standards that applied back then. Lots of little rooms. Servants' quarters. Tiny garages or vast carriage houses. Little insulation. Add-on utilities. Many, if not most of them make little sense as actual homes in today's environment, but as this column alludes, people just get used to having them around as part of the atmosphere. | There are a lot of old rock piles from different eras that were built for VIPs of their time and were built to the standards that applied back then. Lots of little rooms. Servants' quarters. Tiny garages or vast carriage houses. Little insulation. Add-on utilities. Many, if not most of them make little sense as actual homes in today's environment, but as this column alludes, people just get used to having them around as part of the atmosphere. |
| So those with no real investment in a property and only see it as part of their view still feel compelled to battle anybody who wants to start over with something new. Architectural Districts and Historic Districts see everything as little more than bugs in amber frozen for their eternal enjoyment, even if whatever it is in question belongs to somebody else. | So those with no real investment in a property and only see it as part of their view still feel compelled to battle anybody who wants to start over with something new. Architectural Districts and Historic Districts see everything as little more than bugs in amber frozen for their eternal enjoyment, even if whatever it is in question belongs to somebody else. |
| I'm all for moving on. Nothing worth happening will ever happen so long as the so-called best and brightest among us see their duty as boat anchors to any movement to the future. A neighborhood as a museum is only good for gathering dust. | I'm all for moving on. Nothing worth happening will ever happen so long as the so-called best and brightest among us see their duty as boat anchors to any movement to the future. A neighborhood as a museum is only good for gathering dust. |
| Link to this comment: | Link to this comment: |
| 10 August 2012 11:11PM | 10 August 2012 11:11PM |
| The man ought to have known when he bought the house that it would be considered somewhat of a heritage home, just based on the description alone. Also, these older upper class neighborhoods have either zoning bylaws that state houses must 'fit' into the general atmosphere of the neighborhood or an extremely vigilant group of homeowners who like the aesthetic of their neighborhood as is. I agree with the neighbors here. | The man ought to have known when he bought the house that it would be considered somewhat of a heritage home, just based on the description alone. Also, these older upper class neighborhoods have either zoning bylaws that state houses must 'fit' into the general atmosphere of the neighborhood or an extremely vigilant group of homeowners who like the aesthetic of their neighborhood as is. I agree with the neighbors here. |
| Dan Real Estate in Vancouver | Dan Real Estate in Vancouver |
| Link to this comment: | Link to this comment: |
| Comments on this page are now closed. | Comments on this page are now closed. |
| Quarter of UK homes to be offered a green makeover | |
| 9 Feb 2009 | |
| Plans cut fuel bills and reduce pollution depend on government providing funds, say critics | |
| 13 Jul 2010 | |
| Making UK homes energy efficient would cost less than £3,000 per house, survey claims | |
| 6 Aug 2009 | 6 Aug 2009 |
| Green homes: 'Householders can borrow up to £10,000' | Green homes: 'Householders can borrow up to £10,000' |
| 14 Aug 2007 | 14 Aug 2007 |
| Builders attack green homes rule | Builders attack green homes rule |
| 13 Oct 2008 | 13 Oct 2008 |
| Government urged to help homes go green | Government urged to help homes go green |
| Home is where the heat is: why old can be good as new | |
| 16 Mar 2008 | |
| Revamping old homes is greener than building efficient new ones, a charity claims. By Huma Qureshi | |
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| Hundreds of letters have poured in against Evan Williams' plan to tear down his San Francisco mansion to build a bigger one | Hundreds of letters have poured in against Evan Williams' plan to tear down his San Francisco mansion to build a bigger one |
| It is concise and pointed enough to be a tweet: "We don't want nouveau riches McMansions sprouting up all over our ridges." | It is concise and pointed enough to be a tweet: "We don't want nouveau riches McMansions sprouting up all over our ridges." |
| Unfortunately for Evan Williams, co-founder of Twitter, it is not a post in the micro-blogging ether but a line from hundreds of letters to San Francisco planning officials opposing his intention to build a new luxury home. | Unfortunately for Evan Williams, co-founder of Twitter, it is not a post in the micro-blogging ether but a line from hundreds of letters to San Francisco planning officials opposing his intention to build a new luxury home. |
| Neighbours around Edgewood Avenue in Parnassus Heights, one of the city's most desirable districts, have mobilised an angry campaign against his proposal to replace his existing house with a bigger, greener mansion. | Neighbours around Edgewood Avenue in Parnassus Heights, one of the city's most desirable districts, have mobilised an angry campaign against his proposal to replace his existing house with a bigger, greener mansion. |
| The revolt – more than 300 letters from neighbours and self-styled "Friends of Edgewood Avenue" around San Francisco – could turn the tech tycoon's architectural dreams into a war of attrition. | The revolt – more than 300 letters from neighbours and self-styled "Friends of Edgewood Avenue" around San Francisco – could turn the tech tycoon's architectural dreams into a war of attrition. |
| Williams bought the $2.9m property – hardwood floors, an open plan salon and four bedrooms with breathtaking views over three storeys – last year. It was built in 1915 by the architect Louis Christian Mullgardt and was listed in city records as a "potential historic resource". | Williams bought the $2.9m property – hardwood floors, an open plan salon and four bedrooms with breathtaking views over three storeys – last year. It was built in 1915 by the architect Louis Christian Mullgardt and was listed in city records as a "potential historic resource". |
| Earlier this year Williams, 40, and his wife Sara revealed plans to demolish the house and, with the help of architectural firm Lundberg Design, build a 7,700 sq ft successor into a slope. It would be 20ft lower than its predecessor and be a "zero net energy" home using solar panels, a green roof and sun-friendly windows. | Earlier this year Williams, 40, and his wife Sara revealed plans to demolish the house and, with the help of architectural firm Lundberg Design, build a 7,700 sq ft successor into a slope. It would be 20ft lower than its predecessor and be a "zero net energy" home using solar panels, a green roof and sun-friendly windows. |
| Even before the application was submitted to city planners, neighbours and critics from as far afield as Canada had filed form letters of protest, a backlash which in another medium might have been called trending. "This is such a unique property and it adds diversity of architectural interest to the neighborhood," wrote one neighbour, Elizabeth Wang. "It would be criminal to demolish it." | Even before the application was submitted to city planners, neighbours and critics from as far afield as Canada had filed form letters of protest, a backlash which in another medium might have been called trending. "This is such a unique property and it adds diversity of architectural interest to the neighborhood," wrote one neighbour, Elizabeth Wang. "It would be criminal to demolish it." |
| Some accused Williams of plotting to erect a McMansion. "A complete teardown of such a home would … set the stage for numerous future demolitions that will alter the character of our beloved SF Neighborhoods," one group, Friends of Parnassus Heights, wrote to the real estate blog SocketSite. | Some accused Williams of plotting to erect a McMansion. "A complete teardown of such a home would … set the stage for numerous future demolitions that will alter the character of our beloved SF Neighborhoods," one group, Friends of Parnassus Heights, wrote to the real estate blog SocketSite. |
| "Edgewood Avenue is a brick-lined street that features a large number of Arts and Craft homes from the early 1900s." The former Twitter CEO's existing house, it added, "clearly contributes in a significant way to the beauty of this unique street and its history". | "Edgewood Avenue is a brick-lined street that features a large number of Arts and Craft homes from the early 1900s." The former Twitter CEO's existing house, it added, "clearly contributes in a significant way to the beauty of this unique street and its history". |
| Not all agree. Williams's defenders, such as property site Sfcurbed.com, said Mullgardt was an "architectural footnote" and that in any case his original design was ruined by a 1970s remodelling. "It may have once been charming, but … has been stripped of its dignity and details over the decades, subdivided into apartments and then rebuilt by architect Thomas Eden in what's best described as faux-Frank Lloyd Wright with trapezoidal windows." | Not all agree. Williams's defenders, such as property site Sfcurbed.com, said Mullgardt was an "architectural footnote" and that in any case his original design was ruined by a 1970s remodelling. "It may have once been charming, but … has been stripped of its dignity and details over the decades, subdivided into apartments and then rebuilt by architect Thomas Eden in what's best described as faux-Frank Lloyd Wright with trapezoidal windows." |
| It said most objectors bemoaned the loss of a supposedly historic house they had never seen. "Many cited Evan Williams' vast wealth as a founder of Twitter as the real problem, like the ones who suggested he'd be happier in Presidio Heights." It called the campaign Nimby hate-mail. | It said most objectors bemoaned the loss of a supposedly historic house they had never seen. "Many cited Evan Williams' vast wealth as a founder of Twitter as the real problem, like the ones who suggested he'd be happier in Presidio Heights." It called the campaign Nimby hate-mail. |
| City planners are due to evaluate the demolition and building application later this month. | City planners are due to evaluate the demolition and building application later this month. |
| A neighbour named Anthony told the SF Examiner that while he opposed the demolition he resented attempts to "bully" the Williams family. "The neighbors against this have made it clear when passing out these petitions that they plan to be inhospitable and threatening." | A neighbour named Anthony told the SF Examiner that while he opposed the demolition he resented attempts to "bully" the Williams family. "The neighbors against this have made it clear when passing out these petitions that they plan to be inhospitable and threatening." |