Historically and Architecturally Significant Homes in San Antonio.

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Grand Moorish Revival Home in Historic Tobin Hill

Historic Tobin Hill 4-3 Moorish Revival  
A sneak peek before everyone else!
Historically and Architecturally Significant San Antonio Vintage Homes

Entryway

Architectural Analysis

By: Architectural Historian Shelley Roff, Ph.D.

A short drive down East Craig Street will take you by a house whose exterior is designed in whimsical Moorish Revival style. Underneath the shade of tall trees is nestled a three-story house, whose roofline and other parapet walls echo the iconic convex and concave curves of the Alamo.

The striking front entry, which stands out from the face of the building, welcomes you to enter through an unusual, deep arch in the shape of a spade. Faux vigas, the rafters that appear to extend through the wall to the exterior at the second story, are added to enhance the Spanish rustic look; as well as the ramada, a trellis on the porch above, usually made from rough branches.

However, that rustic Moorish look is transformed once you enter the house. The dark wood beams in the ceiling and heavy wood trim and paneling found throughout the first floor might appear to be a continuation of the Spanish theme.

The residence at 216 East Craig proclaims a "Tale of Two Houses": once a romantic Victorian built in 1912; later renovated in thick stucco to create the illusion of a Moorish palace. Decorative Spanish iron grills cover windows with diamond-pane lights, typically seen in King William and neighborhoods with turn-of-the century houses.

On the sides and rear of the house you can still see the old wood clapboard siding and the tell-tale Victorian gabled roofs with decorative half-timbering just under the eaves. The plan of the house is essentially a square, with wrap-around porches on two of the three stories. The upper floors have walls placed at an angle to the square, which open up the space of the bedrooms, a detail often seen in late Victorian residential design.

I believe the house on Craig Street is formerly a Victorian Stick style, due to the added lines of woodwork under the gabled roofs and the woodwork on the interior, especially the built-for-the-house buffet in the dining room. Inside the house, you will see several fabulous turn-of-the century chandeliers, push-button light switches, and an original claw-foot bathtub.

The outdoor porch was almost as important as the indoor living spaces, since in the hot Texas weather, the family would spend a good deal of time out there. Windows were placed to capture prevailing breezes, a lost art in modern construction. And, this house once had sleeping porches wrapping all the way around the house on the second floor.

Climbing up to the third floor, you will find a private den or game room, reserved for the children and more familial guests, which is also a typical feature of the large, rambling Victorian house. The house harbors several mysterious nooks and crannies, due to the additions and renovations made to the house over the years.

216 Craig Place History with Images

Greetings!

216, Craig PlaceSome houses give me pause. Anything with an unusual arch, particularly of Moorish origin - Wow! Plus the grand ballroom...

Here's our newest listing and you get to pass this on to your friends and people you care about who might be interested in it before we put it on MLS and the whole world gets to fight over it.

We are only asking $90/ft. All the other 2000+SqFt homes within a .5 mile radius (click here to see them) run $96-$222 per SqFt with the average at $158 per foot. Let me know if you need me to send you the math. :-)

For more keyhole / spade-shaped arches, check out these image collections here & here.


Joe Barfield
210-846-9273
The Joe Barfield Group of Keller Williams

ps-The Joe Barfield Group is hiring talented Agents. I would appreciate your introduction to good candidates. Business is good!


Historic Tobin Hill 4-3 Moorish Revival - $300,000


Living Room
Living Room

A Grand Victorian Home with Moorish undertones. This beautiful three-story home located in walk-friendly Tobin Hill Historic District.

View the Map


Walkable Neighborhood (74 out 100 is great for S.A.!)

Walkscore TileTobin Hill is a charming historic district located just east of Monte Vista. It is a quick hop downtown, US 281 and other historic neighborhoods. A very walkable neighborhood, Tobin Hill / Monte Vista has great restaurants, bars, libraries (.4 miles) and parks including the Brackenridge Park within a mile.

It's a quick dash to San Antonio College, Trinity University and University of the Incarnate Word. Main Library, Central Market, Whole Foods and the Quarry Mall are all located in close proximity. La Fonda, Justin's Ice Cream and Caparelli's are all less than .2 miles. El Milagrito and Demo's Greek Food are also nearby. The Keystone School & St. Anthony's are practically across the street. Not to mention the Post Office!


Some Wonderful Memories


Dining Room
Dining Room

The current owner's children share their favorite memories of this grand old home.

  • Parties..parties..parties
  • Dad and Louise loved to entertain..they were even featured in the newspaper a few times for their parties.
  • They had very elegant parties with fine silver and crystal with prominent San Antonians to bbq's with family.
  • They would have lights twinkling throughout the backyard and it was if we were in a fairy land.
  • This was the place for family gatherings for Thanksgiving and Christmas. ..eating in the large formal dining room with grand chandelier. There was room for all. And dad is a superb cook!
  • The grandchildren loved the third floor..it was their domain..with the pool table, foosball table, pinball machine, card table, several televisions, couches, and beds. They practically lived up there while the adults were downstairs.
  • Fireworks: for all holidays you can stand on the second floor porch and watch the fireworks at Ft. Sam Houston.
  • Yard: people stop by all the time to take pictures of dad's yard with its greenery and flowers. Many have said it should be featured in Better Homes and Gardens.

Please don't hesitate to respond to this email or call me or my team if you are interested in this home.

Sincerely,

Joe Barfield

The Joe Barfield Group of Keller Williams Realty
homes@joebarfield.com
210-745-0892

www.SanAntonioVintageHomes.com
www.JoesListings.Blogspot.com- Architectural History Blog
www.SAMusicAndArt.com
- Art, Music & Architecture Newsletter


The architectural write-up is provided by Dr. Roff. Any reference to families is strictly academic. The Joe Barfield Group embraces all Equal Opportunity Housing Laws.

© Copyright 2008 All rights Reserved, Joe Barfield.

Joe Barfield 227 Rose Ln San Antonio TX 78212

Saturday, June 21, 2008

Alamo Heights 2-2.5 Townhome - No Fees!

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Alamo Heights 2-2.5 Fee Simple Townhome 
A sneak peek before everyone else!
Historically and Architecturally Significant San Antonio Vintage Homes

Entryway

Architectural Analysis

By: Architectural Historian Shelley Roff, Ph.D.

The townhouses on the 100 block of Montclair are composed of light, rectangular volumes sheltered by dark, shed roofs and are surrounded on all sides by a heavy blanket of trees. Each home is complimented with manicured landscaping in front and a turquoise blue swimming pool in back.

The townhouse was possibly the most desirable form of housing for young upwardly mobile professionals back at the time of its construction in 1982, and for reasons that are poignantly relevant to us today.

The term yuppie was coined in the very year these townhouses were constructed. Young, upwardly-mobile professionals wanted elegant housing to reflect their new socio-economic status, that didn't detract from the focus on their careers. And most were not yet ready for a family. The increasing number of single heads-of-household today, with or without children, make this form of secure, easy-to-maintain housing very appealing.

Townhouses sprung up all over Texas cities as the sign of a luxury home, more so than the condominium or rowhouse. It was a favorite investment, due to complete ownership of the property (fee simple). It is a home that shares walls with adjacent properties but sits on land that you own (with a condo you only own the interior), and it offers just a little green space to care for. Its large living spaces are stacked on multiple floors, in order to occupy a small, urban footprint.

122, Montclair Avenue is a modern, light-filled home, decorated with a minimalist, light beige tile, cabinetry, and carpet, subtly set in contrast to beige or white walls, glass-paneled French doors, and large single-pane windows with chunky white wood blinds.

The light palette of colors may very well reflect the original look of the townhouse when it was built. Postmodernism trickled its way down to middle class homes in the 80s with refreshingly light colored pastels. Suddenly peach was the most fashionable color for a home renovation. This more sun-filled and airy outlook perhaps can be seen as a reflection of the booming yuppie economy.

In contrast to the pale colors of the interior palette, a little San Antonio influence can be seen in the Mexican-theme bathrooms that display bright red, dark blue and black tile with exposed wood lattice cabinet doors, which are designed to match the exterior patio and balcony privacy screens.

One feature that seems stylistically contrasting, is the Germanic doily-cut woodwork of the fireplace. Given the Mexican and German roots of San Antonio, these style blends are common.

122 Montclair History with Images

Dear joe,

122 MontclairI agree- there just aren't enough townhouses in Alamo Heights. Sure you can find plenty of condos, but the fees tend to turn me off.

Here's a great townhouse for you and your friends to take a peek at before it gets plunked onto MLS and the sign goes up.

Unlike a condo, you own the land and the walls, and you don't have to worry about having to pay those fees or for your neighbors roof. Plus you have the ultimate in urban living with so much happening right around you.

If you know of anyone who might be interested, please have them give us a shout so we can get them in before the MLS rush next week.

Sincerely,
Joe Barfield
210-846-9273
The Joe Barfield Group of Keller Williams
ps-The Joe Barfield Group is hiring talented Agents who like our neighborhoods.

Alamo Heights 2-2.5 Fee Simple Townhouse - $262,000


Living Room
Living Room

A desirable Alamo Heights townhouse with no HOA fees and terrific schools. This charming home has a private backyard pool and mature trees.

View the Map


Walkable Neighborhood

Walkscore TileA city within a city, Alamo Heights neighborhood has a distinct atmosphere of its own. It features homes with plenty of architectural charm, great shopping including the Alamo Quarry Market, restaurants, bars and antique shops. Both the McNay Museum (with the new wing!) and Witte Museum are located in the midst of Alamo Heights.

It has some of the best schools in the city including Alamo Heights High School. Trinity University and University of the Incarnate Word are just down the street. L'Etoile, Paloma Blanca and Cappy's are some of the more popular restaurants here.


Backyard Pool
Backyard Pool


Please don't hesitate to respond to this email or call me or my team if you are interested in this home.

Sincerely,

Joe Barfield

The Joe Barfield Group of Keller Williams Realty
www.SanAntonioVintageHomes.com
www.JoesListings.Blogspot.com- Architectural History Blog

www.SAMusicAndArt.com- Art, Music & Architecture Newsletter

What are houses selling for near my home?

227 Rose Ln, San Antonio, TX 78212
email: homes@joebarfield.com
phone: 210-745-0892

(The architectural write-up is provided by Dr. Roff. Any reference to families is strictly academic. The Joe Barfield Group embraces all Equal Opportunity Housing Laws)

© Copyright 2008 All rights Reserved, Joe Barfield.
Joe Barfield 227 Rose Ln San Antonio TX 78212
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