Out With the Old

(Note: I published this a couple days ago, but under the date I had started it, a year ago. Don't know if it showed up in feeds, so I'm republishing with today's date.)

Here's how a stretch of the north side of the 3600 Block of Judah looked a couple years ago. Two cute pastel houses. (And one 1970's apartment building)


Then Pinky was demolished in November 2008.


And construction of a three story building ensued.


May 09

It sat for a very long time all done except a power meter on a piece of plywood sat out front. People moved in eventually. I had to give up on getting a photo without a car in it. Here it is in March 2011.


1940's, 1970's, and 2010's all in a row. I can imagine a person in the future loathing today's construction, and feeling nostalgic about the '70's stuff. It won't be me. Gold windows in black metal frames will always be ugly in my eyes.

Fitting In

This development, which encompasses a whole block at Sloat and The Great Highway, was built in 1997. I remember at the time being skeptical.

The main view I've looked at over the years was from the Great Highway at these four buildings. Not so inspiring.

Now I go to the Zoo often and appreciate the colors and style of the buildings. There’s nothing like a bit of color on a foggy day. And the buildings really fit into the neighborhood. The round windows, glass blocks, and other elements are found in the homes from the 1930's and '40's.

They also really encompass the spirit of the Sunset, being similar, yet not identical.

For the curious I walked all the way around. Here's Sloat & 47th:

Wawona:

Sloat:

Never realized there was an alleyway on 47th Ave.

Trying to Blend

While this is obviously new construction, I like how they tried to make it blend in to the neighborhood a bit with roof tiles and ornaments