Historically and Architecturally Significant Homes in San Antonio.

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

Alamo Heights 3-2 Bungalow
Architectural Analysis
Telephone Nook

By: Architectural Historian Shelley Roff, PhD

This 1932 bungalow in Alamo Heights is a case study of Depression-era strategies for integrating new, experimental materials in the traditional setting of fine home-building. The house was designed and built with the most advanced construction technology in its time.

A solid concrete perimeter foundation supports cinder block walls which are finished with stucco cement, both inside and out, to give the walls a smooth adobe-like quality. Block wall construction is a solid choice for a house built to resist the extremes in temperature that one experiences in Texas. In the form of masonry blocks, concrete's durability and longevity is enhanced by the lighter weight of the hollow core and the opportunity for interior insulation.

Although the concrete masonry block was developed in the eighteenth century, it was not until Harmon S. Palmer patented his machine for making hollow blocks in 1900 that block construction became widespread in the United States. Cinder blocks, made from coal cinders and portland cement, are lighter in weight than their concrete counterparts, making them a more economical and popular choice after 1930.

On the exterior of the house, a nice contrast in material texture is employed by also using bricks with vertical striations for the planters around the entry and board and batten under the roof gables and for the office/studio constructed above the carport structure.

On the interior, the painted woodwork authenticates the house's period of construction; Both the fireplace and the charming telephone niche in the hall are ornamented with 1930s cottage-craft cutout panels.

Throughout the house, the creamy, smoothness of the stucco is enhanced by thick, carved wood molding that frames the windows, doors and ceilings. The molded frame of the hall bathroom mirror is particularly voluptuous.

Light enters the living area from all sides of the room. An almost jewel-like frosted and cut glass window allows light to glow through the front door. Low, broad arches divide the living, dining, and kitchen spaces, and former exterior windows in the dining room now open directly into an enclosed porch facing the back yard.

In the laundry room, an interesting set of steps lead up to was once a short attic door, now the entry into the private office/studio set apart from rest of the house.

Listed at $280,000


Considering a career in
Real Estate?


 src=Greetings!

Just wanted to let you know about a home in Alamo Heights that's coming on the market. Homes rarely come up on Alamo Heights Boulevard or in the small treed area just west. This is a great opportunity, particularly for a heights starter home that is very reasonably priced.

If you know of anyone hoping to move to the Alamo Heights please forward this on to them or give us a call at 745-0892 for a peek.



Alamo Heights Bungalow
Front View

I've always liked this part of Alamo Heights (map) because a cool canopy of trees envelope you as you cross the Boulevard heading north and west toward La Jara. That makes for a peaceful, shady walk.

  • 3 bedrooms and 2 baths - $280,000

  • Gleaming Hardwood floors

  • 1645 Square Feet + 1 Car Garage

  • Alamo Heights Schools (Cambridge)

  • Fixed up and ready for move-in



  • The Lifestyle
    Living Room

    Sharon and Buddy are moving on, but they loved living in this home together. Sharon sent me their Top 10 Memories from living at 415 Alamo Heights Blvd.:

  • Great sunlight in the back room - Perfect for relaxing with coffee and reading.

  • Blooming oleanders in the Spring

  • BBQing on back patio

  • Ciao Lavanderia on Olmos - authentic Italian food. My favorite- Penne with pancetta and peas in red sauce. Buddy's favorite changes- they serve some great meats. Just a stone's throw from the house.

  • Walking to the Alamo Heights Pool in the summer.

  • The Front Porch: You can watch runners, walkers, strollers, bikes, etc go by all day every day. In the evenings, it's great for having cocktails and watching the neighbors heading back out for the evening.



  • Dining Room

    Top 10 continued:

  • Exactly 44 minutes and 36 seconds to Gruene Hall. Buddy drives us there and I drive us home.

  • So Many Christmas Lights!

  • Great location for walking to events. You can invite friends over before Alamo Heights Night or the Pooch Parade and then walk back to the after-parties at the neighbors' house.

  • The huge bay tree in the back is perfect to make bay wreaths for friends and family and the fragrance. I will miss making stems when we have guests- what an easy way to make quests feel welcome. Also, great for cooking.

  • Dinner parties are easy. The kitchen is centrally located so you can cook and interact with the guests at the same time.

  • Walking to Whole Foods for breakfast on Saturday.

  • Volares delivering pizza during Cowboys games.

  • Buddy's favorite restaurant is Bistro Vatel - great French food. One of us orders off the menu and the other orders Prix Fixe.

  • Cappyccinos for neighborhood bar


  • Please don't hesitate to respond to this email or call me or my team for more information (846-9273). Sincerely,


    Joe Barfield
    The Joe Barfield Group of Keller Williams Realty




    email: homes@joebarfield.com
    phone: 210-733-1928
    web: www.joeslistings.blogspot.com

    A referral is when you send someone you care for to someone you trust. If there is someone you care for that may be looking for a move in the near future, please don't keep me a secret. We do things a little differently, and it works!

    spacer



    The Barfield Group PO Box 90973 San Antonio TX 78209

    Friday, July 13, 2007

    Alamo Heights 3-2 Bungalow
    a sneak peek before everyone else!
    Architectural Analysis
    Telephone Nook

    By: Architectural Historian Shelley Roff, PhD

    This 1932 bungalow in Alamo Heights is a case study of Depression-era strategies for integrating new, experimental materials in the traditional setting of fine home-building. The house was designed and built with the most advanced construction technology in its time.

    A solid concrete perimeter foundation supports cinder block walls which are finished with stucco cement, both inside and out, to give the walls a smooth adobe-like quality. Block wall construction is a solid choice for a house built to resist the extremes in temperature that one experiences in Texas. In the form of masonry blocks, concrete's durability and longevity is enhanced by the lighter weight of the hollow core and the opportunity for interior insulation.

    Although the concrete masonry block was developed in the eighteenth century, it was not until Harmon S. Palmer patented his machine for making hollow blocks in 1900 that block construction became widespread in the United States. Cinder blocks, made from coal cinders and portland cement, are lighter in weight than their concrete counterparts, making them a more economical and popular choice after 1930.

    On the exterior of the house, a nice contrast in material texture is employed by also using bricks with vertical striations for the planters around the entry and board and batten under the roof gables and for the office/studio constructed above the carport structure.

    On the interior, the painted woodwork authenticates the house's period of construction; Both the fireplace and the charming telephone niche in the hall are ornamented with 1930s cottage-craft cutout panels.

    Throughout the house, the creamy, smoothness of the stucco is enhanced by thick, carved wood molding that frames the windows, doors and ceilings. The molded frame of the hall bathroom mirror is particularly voluptuous.

    Light enters the living area from all sides of the room. An almost jewel-like frosted and cut glass window allows light to glow through the front door. Low, broad arches divide the living, dining, and kitchen spaces, and former exterior windows in the dining room now open directly into an enclosed porch facing the back yard.

    In the laundry room, an interesting set of steps lead up to was once a short attic door, now the entry into the private office/studio set apart from rest of the house.

    Listed at $280,000


    Considering a career in
    Real Estate?


     src=Greetings!

    Just wanted to let you know about a home in Alamo Heights that's coming on the market. This home is not on MLS and there is no sign in front of it yet, so there's an opportunity for your friends to take a peek before the rush next week.

    If you know of anyone hoping to move to the Alamo Heights please forward this on to them or give us a call at 745-0892 for a peek. Or just come the invitation-only open house on Saturday from 2- 4pm. (BTW, You're invited)



    Alamo Heights Bungalow
    Front View

    I've always liked this part of Alamo Heights (map) because a cool canopy of trees envelope you as you cross the Boulevard heading north and west toward La Jara. That makes for a peaceful, shady walk.

  • 3 bedrooms and 2 baths - $280,000

  • Gleaming Hardwood floors

  • 1645 Square Feet + 1 Car Garage

  • Alamo Heights Schools (Cambridge)

  • Fixed up and ready for move-in



  • The Lifestyle
    Living Room

    Sharon and Buddy are moving on, but they loved living in this home together. Sharon sent me their Top 10 Memories from living at 415 Alamo Heights Blvd.:

  • Great sunlight in the back room - Perfect for relaxing with coffee and reading.

  • Blooming oleanders in the Spring

  • BBQing on back patio

  • Ciao Lavanderia on Olmos - authentic Italian food. My favorite- Penne with pancetta and peas in red sauce. Buddy's favorite changes- they serve some great meats. Just a stone's throw from the house.

  • Walking to the Alamo Heights Pool in the summer.

  • The Front Porch: You can watch runners, walkers, strollers, bikes, etc go by all day every day. In the evenings, it's great for having cocktails and watching the neighbors heading back out for the evening.



  • Dining Room

    Top 10 continued:

  • Exactly 44 minutes and 36 seconds to Gruene Hall. Buddy drives us there and I drive us home.

  • So Many Christmas Lights!

  • Great location for walking to events. You can invite friends over before Alamo Heights Night or the Pooch Parade and then walk back to the after-parties at the neighbors' house.

  • The huge bay tree in the back is perfect to make bay wreaths for friends and family and the fragrance. I will miss making stems when we have guests- what an easy way to make quests feel welcome. Also, great for cooking.

  • Dinner parties are easy. The kitchen is centrally located so you can cook and interact with the guests at the same time.

  • Walking to Whole Foods for breakfast on Saturday.

  • Volares delivering pizza during Cowboys games.

  • Buddy's favorite restaurant is Bistro Vatel - great French food. One of us orders off the menu and the other orders Prix Fixe.

  • Cappyccinos for neighborhood bar


  • Please don't hesitate to respond to this email or call me or my team for more information (846-9273). I won't be ready to list this on the MLS for everyone else to see until next week, so you have a brief window of opportunity to tour this home before it is released to the public.

    Sincerely,


    Joe Barfield The Joe Barfield Group of Keller Williams Realty


    email: homes@joebarfield.com
    phone: 210-733-1928
    web: http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=9nm4eccab.0.e4fy7yaab.kg998rn6.16301&ts=S0257&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.SanAntonioVintageHomes.com

    A referral is when you send someone you care for to someone you trust. If there is someone you care for that may be looking for a move in the near future, please don't keep me a secret. We do things a little differently, and it works!

    spacer
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