Re: Mesta Park Tour & History
Originally Posted by
Doug Loudenback
A fairly weird 2003 home (somehow getting approval despite historical district requirements)
Actually Doug, I consider this house to be a good example of a new, modest, contemporary home in an established neighborhood. And, an example of how the OKC Historic Preservation District Ordinance benefits neighborhoods by providing an effective process by which new, well designed, high quality, modern homes can be constructed along side existing houses in historic neighborhoods.
The design of this house went through numerous revisions over a period of almost a year before it finally received a CA from the HP Commission. It has corten steel siding which has now developed the rusty patina resembling the rich red brick color of many Mesta Park homes, exactly as the architect planned. The size, shape and arrangement of the windows is in keeping with that of the other homes in the area. The set backs maintain the rythum along the street. The simple pich-roofed and unornamented front facade is reminissient of the Federal style, which is found in Mesta and surrounding neighborhoods. Look at the similarities in design to the house in the photo just below it. Also, the interior is very well done. Lots of custom millwork, bookcases etc. were designed and built by the original architect/owner. Overall, a good design for a new house in an historic neigborhood . . . it's not necessary to build a replica of an historic house to fit in. It was on the home tour a couple of years back. Unfortunately, the delapidated sidewalks wern't replaced during construction and appropriate street trees have not been planted. But, overall, I like it a lot.
Also, resulting from the OKC HP process, several new bungulow style homes have been built in Jefferson Park, Paseo and a couple in Heritage East, and they work also, but don't add the same excitment to to the block that this house does.
I shudder to think what might have been built on some of these vacant lots had there not been a well established design review process. There are several examples of totally out of character houses plopped down in Jefferson Park, Edgemere Park and Mesta Park prior to their becoming Historic Districts. The HP process isn't perfect, but it has certainly proven to be a fabulous economic development engine in OKC. Very little of the tens of millions of dollars that have been poured into these historic homes would have taken place without the protection of the OKC HP Ordinance.
The Mesta Park Tour is a wonderful way to spend a fall afternoon in OKC
The Old Downtown Guy
It will take decades for Oklahoma City's
downtown core to regain its lost gritty,
dynamic urban character, but it's exciting
to observe and participate in the transformation.
Now, I'm not complaining, cause I might even be weird myself, say some! The house doesn't bother me in the least, though ... I see diversity as a good thing.
Great neighborhoods.
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