Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Another one bites the dust

2200 East 69th Street, Cleveland - Condemned

I stopped to photograph this house last April when I saw the "condemned" notice attached near the front door. It's located at 2200 East 69th Street, in the Fairfax neighborhood of Cleveland, Ohio. I haven't been by there in a little while, so I'm not clear as to whether this one has actually been demolished yet.

The house retains most of the original features. Note the windows on the front of the house with the rounded top, and the stained glass one on the side, probably on the stairs to the second floor.

2200 East 69th Street, Cleveland - Condemned

There's a nice bit of detail in the porch. The proportions of the house as a whole are just right. Doesn't it just seem so comfortable on the lot, when seen from this angle, like it really ought to stay here?

2200 East 69th Street, Cleveland - Condemned

We should be thinking about fixing up houses like this, too. Well proportioned structures with good bones that are relatively unaltered - these are the buildings that make up our neighborhoods - they're the ones that we need to protect.

Should this one have been saved? I don't know.

It's easier to renovate a structure like this than some of the grand places we've argued for. The lack of complicated interior detail makes for easier work and provides more freedom - it's not just a lovely space that reflects only the styles of the architect, builder, or original owner. It's important to preserve houses with incredibly complex original detail, of course, but that's not for everyone. Some of us just need a house with good proporions and good history that we can work on and make into our home.

3 comments:

  1. This is so sad. I loved passing this house. I haven't been through Fairfax in a few months though to see if it still stands.

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  2. I would love to rehab a little darling like this. I had my eye on a big one off Chester years ago. It was 14k, I think. My husband was not on that page at all.

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  3. I love this one. It looks very victorian gothic. doesn't it just remind you of the painting "American Gothic" a little bit.

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