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824 North 24th Street facing imminent demolition as UNSAFE BUILDING
11/16/2015 6:09 AM by John M
A reader writes in:
So, I recently noticed a demolition notice on a building near where I live. Would buy and restore the place myself if I could – it has so much original detail. Any idea on how to salvage a situation like this before the city does something irreversible? Address is 824 N 24th st.
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How will they ensure the houses on either side remain structurally sound?
It would be an absolute shame if this house gets taken down.
Ditto John, would be a damn shame if we lost the exterior shell of this building. Have always loved that old front door, especially. Might be time to get out the power drill and back out some screws in those door hinges if the building really is coming down.
Matt, the demo company probably would brace the walls of the adjoining structures if there were any concerns about stability. There are (unfortunately) plenty of examples in old RVA neighborhoods where an adjoining building has been removed while the twin remains standing. Never looks good. Sad situation for the entire block.
Solid historic structure? Both the roof and the first floor has collapsed. Just stop with the, preserve everything nonsense already. RVA is already going to lose the Squirrels because of this attitude. Stop allowing the dead hand of the past to control our future.
@ Neighbor – my understanding is they would brace the walls of both adjoining houses and stucco them with concrete. Since the majority of the house is perpendicular to the street, it seems like it should only cost marginally more to stabilize the existing shell. It’s not like the brickwork is falling or anything.
It was my understanding that the main benefit for the Old & Historic designation and ordinance was to prevent the demolition of historic home like this one. Perhaps it’s time for the minority of neighbors that pushed so hard for said designation, that made us all historic curators against our will, to actually do what they said and speak out against this action.
I won’t be holding my breath.
I had hoped demolitions would be ended by the O&H designation, as well, Ben. Unfortunately it doesn’t save buildings that are in danger of collapse. We had some success saving one in the 900 block of 25th Street by working with city officials, Historic Richmond, as well as through the generosity of Charlie Field and others. I just sent a request to the mayor’s office and planning to see if something similar can be done here.
Hope it works. It’s been a rough quarter for the nearby blocks – a halt to Diana’s work on O Street, the house fire, sale of Bloomfield’s store to the same family that runs corner markets (Mursheds) all seem a departure from recent progress.
Not everything needs to be so black-and-white as to raze this property or completely restore it. To my view, this presents a unique opportunity to an investor or developer. It is absolutely possible to brace and support the historic front facade while demolishing whatever else remains of the house’s shell. The investor gets a no-surprises ground-up new construction build, with the invaluable added bonus of a historic streetfront. This approach would work from the perspective of a potential home buyer as well. Some folks are set on having the peace of mind that comes with buying a new house, but want it to look old and beautiful from the outside. Well, here it is. To level the streetfront would be a travesty.
My only hope would be that if it does have to come down, it will be required that an exact replica goes in it’s place. @neighbor surely you’d also be upset if some terribly built new house that looks like a lot of the other ones being built right now goes in its place. What a lot of people don’t realize is that the houses being built now will most likely have to also be demolished in 15-20 years. Nothing is built to last anymore. This house was built to last and the only reason it’s deteriorating is because someone didn’t take care of it. It’s really sad.