Inviting or what? Paul Goldfinger photo © Re-post 2014..
It’s funny about architecture. People respond almost viscerally. Photographers love to capture decrepit, broken-down places. Why? It’s because they see and feel something that moves them, and it doesn’t have to be explainable or classically beautiful.
George Tice, the famous New Jersey photographer, is known for photographing old buildings that look ready to collapse. He is best known for those Jersey images of dreary Paterson buildings, water towers, White Castles and gas stations. Often those photographs move viewers because they suggest the blue collar immigrants who once lived in those places, and sometimes still do.
Some years ago, at the Maine Photographic Workshops, they ran an exhibit of Tice’s work. I was taking a printing course with him, so I wanted to”get” why he was so popular. Sure his prints were exquisite, especially the platinum prints, and you could enjoy the work just on the basis of a beautiful object–the print itself.
But I just couldn’t warm up to those pictures of broken down Paterson buildings. Yet, after a lot of staring and talking to others, I began to see it.
A couple of years ago I went to Paterson with Carl Hoffman of Ocean Grove, who grew up in that neighborhood. He loved those Tice pictures, and seeing the place—the old factories and the Italian-American club houses and old barber shops, it made a lot more sense. So context is what you sometimes need to understand art, whether it is the little house above, or some gory scene from the Renaissance at the Met.
In Ocean Grove, people love the Victorian houses, and the more splendid, the better.
But they also love the cottages that seem inviting for various reasons. Those quaint buildings call to some people—– they exude a certain vibe that rings true.
The house above at the corner of New Jersey Avenue and Mt. Tabor Avenue seems to be like that. We have posted images of it before. One Grover recently told me that he “lusts after ” this place and that he would love to buy it.
Others revealed similar sentiments about this small house with a small yard and porch, made from cinder blocks. I think that people react to architecture from not only an aesthetic point of view, but because of some echo from their personal pasts which they feel intuitively and respond to. They feel that they could be happy, safe, and comfortable in such a place.
What do you think about this property? Read our comments below.
2022 Addendum: About two years ago the property was demolished, and the owner replaced it with a Craftsman home that fills every square inch of that lot. I spoke to him, and he is very happy with his new home. It is at the corner or New Jersey Avenue and Mt. Tabor Way.
THE EVERLY BROTHERS
Dave: I recall passing a house in Paris that was undergoing remodeling. The historic exterior in front was intact, but everything behind was new. I thought that was extraordinary. The owners got a true example of real history as seen from the street, but behind that was a modern home.
In Ocean Grove, demolished or burned out houses are often replaced by “new Victorians” but there is something about them that looks phony. I don’t envy the HPC when they have to act on such structures.
Dave— Maybe Neptune should also allow such modern styles in the Grove which echo the historic Victorians. As you said, “The new housing that was constructed in the vacant areas (of Philadelphia) were requested not to be recreations of Georgian architecture, but modern style that was sympathetic to the older houses.”
That makes sense for us. After all we are not Williamsburg, and changing styles would not be new in the Grove. Even if they have to dump the historic designations which seem to be poorly implemented these days.
Look at what they are wresting with now with the North End project. And that is why the Historical Society in OG should be intimately involved in all historic recreations here such as the North End where the HPC are the only ones, besides the architect who has a conflict of interest, who are supposed to be protecting our historic heritage.
Historic preservation in OG is a dim concept anyhow. Again, just look at the North End plans so far. —Paul
When Society Hill in Philadelphia was redeveloped, many structures were demolished leaving a goodly number of 18th century houses. The new housing that was constructed in the vacant areas was requested not to be recreations of Georgian architecture, but modern style that was sympathetic to the older houses.
These continued the use of red brick, but in non-traditional forms. This is in contrast to European cities where the traditional styles were preferred if not required.
There is a principle called period of historical significance or interest. For OG, this is from 1870 to the early 20th century. The demolition of a 1940s house is deemed less concerning as it does not contribute to this period. It might be noted that there were major waves of construction in OG.
“Many cottages have undergone large and important improvements; in many cases almost equal to new buildings. The small, cheap buildings of the early days, are fast disappearing, and will soon be out of sight, and held only in the dim memories of the past.” OGCMA Annual Report 1882.
2022: This home was demolished about 2 years ago and replaced with a nice “new Victorian.'” The new house is shoehorned into the lot. The owner is very happy with his new home.–Paul
The most ridiculous thing in this is that the cottage is 90 years old. How dare anyone question its existence in Ocean Grove and tout the merits of replacing it with another FAKE Victorian.
That’s what makes ocean grove unique! They have cute little cottages and beautiful Victorians.
This topic needs an answer for some of the points raised. OCEAN GROVE is in a NATIONAL HISTORIC DISTRICT, as such, it is subject to the Historic Preservation Ordinance passed by Neptune which covers, in great detail, what may or may not be done to the exterior of buildings, including demolition.
Most problems arise when new owners are unaware of the obligations and limitations of ownership in a Historic District.
One would hope the realtors would so inform, but “buyer beware” is important in any transaction.
Thanks Ken! I’ll definitely check it out.
MaryLou, Don’t cry, there may be a solution you could enjoy. I suggest you apply to the HPC for a C-of-A “tech review” before you give up. Although decks are not permitted by zoning on a corner lot which has two street facing sides, there might be another way to enjoy your yard which a contractor could get a permit for.
ken. (Commenter-in-chief @Blogfinger)
I am one of Ed’s neighbors, and I love both Gary and Ed, and their fabulous garden on the corner! They can keep it just as it is, as far as I’m concerned!
Hello Ed….nice to meet you. I can relate to your “on hold” intentions. I had plans for a small deck (and I mean small) in my back yard. I was told to make up drawings and a list of materials, etc., to present to the town for a permit.
Well, the Permit Miser shot me down and made me cry…so I will have to re-visit my dream when I find a willing contractor to help me.
Like you, I love OG and feel fortunate to live here.
Hello Everyone! I am one of the owners of this house. My jaw fell open when I saw an entire post about it, and it makes me happy to see that some people appreciate our little corner of OG.
I laugh when I think that neighbors must have been happy when two gay guys bought it many years ago, waiting for it to be turned into a charming home that matches the neighborhood. We have made plans for updates, cancelled them, then, spent time on the garden, made new plans, and then put those on hold too.
Some day, this home will be more charming and hopefully more beautiful, but even with a facelift, it could not be more loved. I love Ocean Grove, all of our fantastic neighbors, and look forward to seeing you all in the yard this spring!
Beauty and taste are in the eye and mind of the beholder. Whatever your individual preferences are, I would hope you might support saving a structure you deem worthy. Currently, only direct purchase by someone can accomplish that.
As for the HPC, Neptune’s HISTORIC DISTRICT ORDINANCE spells out limits and scope of its authority.
ken
youknowyagottahaveit – I am not sniping, merely expressing an opinion. The point of the article is to ask for an opinion, which I have provided. The current owners apparently like the house well enough, and that is their business. In offering my opinion, I am also expressing a preference for replacement of unappealing properties with no historic significance, and replacing them with larger, more valuable, and more attractive housing stock. And for the HPC to limit their authority to the most significant historic properties and limit the scope of their preservation.
I agree with AC. When ownership changes, I hope a beautiful new house — more aligned with the Victorian theme of the town — is built.
While many of the old-timers are nice people who should not be chased out, no one can seriously argue that the town would not benefit from a continuing upgrade of the housing stock. I would suggest that there is probably one house on every block of town that would benefit from a serious upgrade.
Easy to snipe and call a house a “concrete mess” when you hide behind a fake name. Uneconomical…perhaps they want a yard instead of a 25×55 house on a 30×60 lot. Who named you the arbiter of architecture?
The place is not much on esthetics, and the size is very uneconomical. It’s a lovely corner property, and a nice new house could replace this concrete mess. And as for the house on Franklin that Ken refers to, which do you mean? The beautiful four-square with the two car garage that replaces a hideous pseudo-craftsman? That was approved with the assistance of a professional architectural historian hired by the homeowners? What a beautiful addition to the neighborhood.
Youknowyougottahaveit “This was a great town sixty years ago when neighbors weren’t rated on the quality of their restorations.” I think some of this reflects the psychology of some of people moving to OG. As home values in this town have gone up, the wealthy have moved in. Some are genuine, down-to-earth people. They don’t brag about their money, what they do/did for a living, or life accomplishments. Others…. well, I hate to say it, but there are now a number of them in this town… who have huge egos and think they are better than most of us. Which is really unfortunate. When I moved to Ocean Grove, I can’t tell you how many people I met were trying to ‘size me up’, both financially and socially. I guess some people never left high school in their mentality. Fortunately there are still alot of ‘salt of the earth’ types here that I gravitate to. They are truly what Ocean Grove is about.
I think this is a sweet cottage. I agree that a little more charm could be added. I live across the street from the behemoth….3 stories plus an elevator. Myself and my neighbors live a much simpler life. I’m sure the owners are probably very nice people….hope they’ll give me a tour 🙂
Sometimes a house is not appreciated until it is gone, such as that house on Franklin. The property was for sale for a long time. I heard it sold for 1/2 the price first asked.
It’s a shame there is no program in Ocean Grove to save sound buildings crying out to be saved from the wrecking ball. Of course that would require money.
Nice, but I prefer the Victorians.
I prefer the smaller houses with character, too.
Last year, on upper Franklin Ave, a Craftman style house that could’ve been saved with some TLC, was razed. It had an absolutely beautiful huge, fieldstone fireplace in the living room. Also gone is its pretty side yard and large trees.
In its place is a 3-story faux-Victorian behemoth that takes up every square inch of its lot and towers over the neighborhood like an architectural bully—shutting off its neighbor’s sunlight and shouting “EVERYBODY LOOK AT HOW MUCH MONEY MY OWNERS HAVE”. All dough and absolutely no taste or sense of place.
I would love to have it
It’s not the porch trim that makes a neighborhood. Those two fellows add more to the neighborhood than all of the gingerbread in the world.
This was a great town sixty years ago when neighbors weren’t rated on the quality of their restorations. Lets try and bring it back to that.
The HPC with their Victorian lawn jockeys need to turn it down a notch.
There is a big problem with break-ins. Might be time for some six foot barbed wire instead of three foot wooden pickets. Hey… where are all the elected officials? Too busy opining on NJ.com for local problems.
Love, love, love the cottage … Definitely prefer them and the tent houses over the big Victorians!
I’d hang shutters and window boxes and put climbing roses on either side of the window. Sweet!