Infill Houses or Tale of a Street

Houses and land become more expensive each year. At some point, in cities with growing economies, it may become very profitable to redevelop certain neighborhoods. Generally, such neighborhoods are characterized by small homes on large lots. In many cases the targeted homes are rundown, but not always. The larger the lot the greater the incentive to buy, tear down and redevelop.

This is the tale of one such street in San Jose where such redevelopment has occured. Usually such redevelopment is an evolutionary change, one building at a time. The change on this street is different, with five new houses under construction on one block at the same time.

The street is in an older neighborhood which almost completely replaced former farms with houses during the first 60 years of the 20th century. The houses were of a variety of styles; including Victorian, Neoclassical, Arts & Crafts, Mission Revival, and the Vernacular (or no style). A common element of all these detached houses was a garage in the rear, behind the home.

Future Infill?

Three Houses from One

Some Alternative Approaches

Redevelopment of detached homes can occur in different ways. The images below illustrate some of these alternatives which have occured on our nameless street. These are not mega-mansions. They are homes aimed for the middleclass market. Or at least that market as defined by the Bay Area economy.

The typical infill developer attempts to redevelop by tearing down an existing house and replacing it with a much larger one. If the lot is large enough, and the zoning allows it, more than one house will be built. Almost always, the new home is two story and looks down on its older neighbors.

Garage with a House	Neighborhood Respect?

This developer could have built this house anywhere in suburbia or the newer sections of San Jose. The garage sticking out emphasizes that the car is king. The walkable streets of the community will not be so walkable if this style becomes the standard. At least the stucco walls will be low maintenance.	Here the developer has respected the neighborhood custom of garages in the rear. The facade contains materials found in the neighborhood homes. Nevertheless, no one would mistake these houses as being anything but modern.

Garage Makeup?
	Here we have an attempt to diminish the impact of the garage in front by jutting out a tiny entry. The second story, although slightly set back in front, clearly looms over its neighbors. Better than the 'garage with a house', but not by much.
Success?
	This house does not overwhelm. The second story is there, but does not lord it over its neighbors. The garage is in the rear and a drive was successfully threaded along the side of the house. The walls are of stucco and thus easy to maintain. The roof style, although using modern materials, conjures up visions of the best of the traditional homes in the community. Unlike other developments on this street, the redwood tree in front was not cut down over some weekend. It stands proudly at the house's entrance. The house was designed around the tree. A less creative developer would have argued that the tree could not be saved.