Renovation/Addition of East Memphis Home make progress

Project team:

Builder: Tommy Byrnes with Byrnes Ostner Investments  

www.byrnesostner.com

Landscape Architect: Joe Baasch

The clients purchased this house because they really liked the existing colonial façade, yard and location. However, the existing interior spaces did not meet their needs.
After obtaining a through understanding of the client’s preferences and needs and then evaluating various options, a design solution was devised. The solution would retain the colonial façade while providing a floor plan that accommodates the immediate and future needs of our client. Included in the master plan, specific areas of the existing spaces were identified to remain and be refurbished, and needed spaces were added. As part of the project goals, since the existing front façade was symmetrical, the proposed extensive renovation had to maintain the symmetry.

The image below shows the existing front portico which establishes a clear language of classic design. Its impressive scale commands any visitor's attention and is to remain an integral part of the design. The new scheme will seamlessly coordinate new design elements without trying to compete with or overwhelm the original architecture.

The original structure displays clear symmetry and classic design

Construction begins by protecting existing construction and landscaping to remain followed by selective demolition. As with most large renovations, a few issues were discovered in the demolition process. Fortunately, these issues were minor and easily accommodated with adjustments to the proposed design.




The left wing is removed as chimney and front portico are left undisturbed as required.                    

  


The spaces around the foyer are to be demolished to create a more open floor plan that reflects the lifestyle needs of the clients. Note the stair on the right side of the image is to be protected and will remain a highlighted element in the new design.



Finally, the foundation is laid out, concrete poured, and framing started. This is an exciting time for the client as framing typically proceeds quickly and is the first time when they can actually see how the house will look. While Tommy is moving forward with construction, the client begins to select fixtures such as plumbing and lighting. We assist the construction process by addressing builder, client, and vendor questions, and selecting finish materials such as brick, windows, and exterior doors.

New wings are added that provide better proportions and new living spaces

The new design is careful to integrate into the original architecture in a respectful manner

Workers are careful to match the new brick and cornices with the original as much as possible

Interior framing begins, thus allowing the clients to realize the potential of their future spaces

Edgewater home sales on the rise

Edgewater, a new traditional neighborhood development (TND) located approximately 14 miles northeast of Pittsburgh is experiencing rapid sales of their new homes. Situated on 34 acres in the historic village center of Oakmont, Pennsylvania, the neighborhood will consist of approximately 260 total dwelling units along with mixed-use retail. Shapiro & Company has designed multi-family and single family residences in conjunction with EQA Landmark and Kacin General Contractors.

Brett Malky, president of EQA Landmark, left, is developing Edgewater at Oakmont

with Kacin Cos. President Richard Kacin, center, and Vice President Bruce Corna.
(Photo by Joe Wojcik)

Please click on the link below to view an article from the Pittsburgh Business Times for more information on Edgewater.

http://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/print-edition/2012/02/03/oakmont-housing-project-sales-quick.html

Newbury is the place to be in South Fayette!

Demand for residences in the Newbury development in South Fayette, Pennsylvania has remained high in recent months. Many factors, including a convenient location, access to sought-after schools, and a well thought out master plan that links retail areas with residential and open public spaces have all contributed to the success of the development. For more information, please click on the links below to read articles by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and the Pittsburgh Business Times discussing new construction in the region. (Photos by Rebecca Droke/Post Gazette)

http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/life/home/buying-here-south-fayette-651543/

http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/neighborhoods-south/south-fayette-projects-ramp-up-645371/

http://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/stories/2008/11/03/daily6.html

Village Home Plans

Village Home Plans LLC, is an independent organization that offers a wide array of floorplans and styles to fit the unique personalities of families and individuals alike.
Please visit the link below to begin a tour of what Village Home Plans has to offer!
http://villagehomeplans.com/

As the index of plans will attest, these homes range in square footage and accommodation. The styles vary, but all have been designed to fit into Traditional Neighborhood Developments throughout the United States. As a result, the homes are worthy of consideration in themselves, but also foster a sense of community and belonging. We are pleased to be able to make these plans available to you. Village Home Plans encourages you to contact us for custom designs or modifications to better suit your lifestyle or market needs.

Crescent Bluff surges forward

Downtown redevelopment surges south with Crescent Bluff
By Thomas Bailey Jr. Memphis Commercial Appeal
Posted September 6, 2012 at 3 a.m., updated September 7, 2012 at 12:09 a.m.
Photo by Nikki Boertman, The Commercial Appeal

Please click on the link below to view the original Commercial Appeal article
www.commercialappeal.com
The extension of Downtown redevelopment has just leapfrogged to the core district's southern edge, skipping over several blighted, overgrown blocks and greasing the way for others to fill in the gap. The $7 million Crescent Bluff Apartments rise like an urban oasis on 3.5 acres at the northeast corner of Crump and Florida, surrounded on three sides by the vacant buildings and weedy lots typical of the inner-city's distressed districts. What others may see as a no man's land, Nashville-based Elmington Capital Group grabbed as an development opportunity before land prices start rising substantially. "No question, that area in 15 to 20 years will look dramatically different," said Elmington Capital president Cary Rosenblum. "There will not be an empty parcel. ... Three blocks from Crescent Bluffs are $300,000 to $400,000 condos." To hear Rosenblum, redevelopment extending south from the South Main Historic District is a train that's left Central Station. "There's been a lot done in Downtown Memphis. I see it just on the one yard line and ready to explode, honestly." Contractor Patton & Taylor Enterprises is bricking up the 72 units, expected to open by November. The two- and three-bedroom apartments are built with families in mind, offering 1,200 to 1,400 square feet, stainless steel appliances, low-flow toilets, nine-foot ceilings, balconies or patios, spacious closets, a clubhouse with laundry and community room, outdoor grills, picnic tables, playgrounds and outdoor fireplace. Crescent Bluff is an affordable housing project that used in its financing a 10-year payment-in-lieu-of-taxes (PILOT) from the city's Health, Education and Housing Facility Board, as well as a low income housing tax credit. A maximum is set on tenants' income and rent will be capped, too. The vice president of Downtown Memphis Commission not only expects Crescent Bluff to help spur neighboring development, but inject Downtown with a much needed resource: More people. "We really want to focus on getting density," Andy Kitsinger said. "We need more people Downtown to attract more retailers." Whether they are renters or homeowners, they'll all consumers, he said. The addition of quality affordable housing Downtown will strengthen the diversity of housing stock, Kitsinger said. Rosenblum believes other developers are on the verge of starting projects in the neighborhood. "We heard of a lot of other little projects starting to rear their heads. Different parcels ... the climate is there. The rental market is there for apartments. Condos, not quite yet." Kitsinger agreed there's increased talk of new projects. "The first thing we see that leads to breaking ground is conversation," he said. "And we have a lot more conversation. It got a little quiet for a while." Architect Shapiro and Co. designed Crescent Bluff, which will be surrounded by a security fence. Amelia Carkuff of Carkuff Interiors also was part of the design team. But the property is bounded to the south by an economically distressed commercial district along Crump, to the west by an overgrown vacant lot on the other side of Florida, to the north by several blocks of vacant, overgrown lots, and to the east by Canadian National Railroad. Until neighboring development comes, tenants of Crescent Bluff may or may not feel safe walking beyond their apartment fence at night. Despite the surroundings, interest is strong, Rosenblum said. "We put a sign out that we're preleasing. Just from a sign only we have been getting 30 inquiries a day by phone or by website," he said. "Everybody said, 'I live in the area. I've been waiting for something affordable for families.' The responses have been overwhelming. I think if we had a few hundred units, they'd lease up." Most people who want to move in already know and understand the area, and are looking for a safe environment to live, he said, adding, "I don't think we have to overcome anything really." For more information, visit crescentbluff.com
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