Comments on: Willow Terrace Eyesore!

By: a_siren

a_siren — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:32:18 +0000

I am a WT resident, and I too thought this was another example of a FU design statement to the neighborhood. Ah well. And no, not all neighbors within 200 feet got notice. I did not.

My understanding is the architect and the client here are one and the same. I haven’t met him yet though.

There are some beautiful houses on WT, and there are some that need work. Every street in Hoboken has places that need work. All in all WT has been a wonderful place to live. The neighbors are typically friendly, keep an eye out for each other, and the ambience is charming. Also, the location couldn’t be more convenient to the A&P and to the 126 bus on Willow/Clinton.

In response to dunotar who said:

It would seem that the ZBA was asleep at the till on this one – it’s their purview, not the historic commission’s.

Local zoning requires structures to be built of a HUGE percentage of masonry – not wood. Another example of more variances for the well-connected bestowed by the ill-informed and uneducated.

Good urban architecture is all about context and this can be used as a textbook example in architectural school of what not to do in a tiny village. These townhouses don’t exist in a vacuum. This is a royal FU design statement to the neighborhood and the city from an architect (& his client)with huge egos and apparent connections to the code officials as referenced in post # 67. Expect to see more of it.

By: dunotar

dunotar — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:02:00 +0000

It would seem that the ZBA was asleep at the till on this one – it’s their purview, not the historic commission’s.

Local zoning requires structures to be built of a HUGE percentage of masonry – not wood. Another example of more variances for the well-connected bestowed by the ill-informed and uneducated.

By: lady411

lady411 — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 05:26:56 +0000

To call it an eyesore is extreme. It would be much more of a travesty if it were finished like the hundreds of other developments in Hoboken. I understand that some close minded people fear the unknown, but open your mind. Modern art/architecture is often criticised, but it is the bold artists and designers that push the envelope who change perception and advance culture.

By: HoboDev

HoboDev — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:34:09 +0000

Historic District-NOT, most of those places look terrible, sometimes history should not be repeated! It’s there and it’s much better than the original derelict that stood there.

By: homeworld

homeworld — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:36:05 +0000

Unfortunately this area is located in the Central Hoboken
Historic District, an area only deemed an “Eligible Historic District,” therefore not under the jurisdiction of the Historic Preservation Commission.

The Historic Preservation Commission is only for the Southern Hoboken Historic District and specific buildings outside of that District.

In response to DavidsSling who said:

The issue is this is a historical section – they must get approval from the Historic Preservation Commission – this is the second modern building that was allowed and I am sure neither of them went through proper procedure because they do not fit in with the character of Willow Terrace. But Hoboken does not follow the law

I like the building -just not there

By: DavidsSling

DavidsSling — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:36:05 +0000

I like the building -just not there

By: plywood

plywood — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:27:02 +0000

Oh that's right that last guy pulled through, but he'll never play the violin again In response to yourbrainondrugs who said:

Be fair that hasnt happened since 2008..

By: yourbrainondrugs

yourbrainondrugs — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:46:05 +0000

Be fair that hasnt happened since 2008.. In response to plywood who said:

Aw, c'mon, in Hoboken they shoot people just to watch'em die.

By: plywood

plywood — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:03:57 +0000

Aw, c’mon, in Hoboken they shoot people just to watch’em die.

By: The Unblinking Eye

The Unblinking Eye — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:33:44 +0000

Well, being a WT Resident I guess I ought to comment on this.
Let me start by saying that although it is an interesting project,I think it would look AMAZING in the woods or on one of the walk streets in Venice,CA or as others have said, at a ski resort. That being said I think it looks completely out of place on WT. Most of you also seem to miss the point that only people who have the corner lots are able to really do something different with their places. The rest of us not on the corner don’t have much room to expand or do much. Yes there are old vinal sided crappy looking homes on WT…. that is becasue the people in them are B & R’s who are still living there or have rented them out to 3 guys or gals & do nothing but collect rent checks. They will never fix them up.
As they sell, they are updated to be quaint, nice little places. A BIG point that I don’t see people questioning is just how was this place able to go up so fast???? How did a certain individual (most of you know who I mean)approve & allow all of this??? Most people have to wait ages to do simple things like re-do a bathroom. I’ve seen places of business put thru the ringer for a year to open. This house seems to have gotten carte blanche to do whatever they wanted….and have!
PLUS – as some have said, I sure the builder did NOT included any of the neighbors because why should he??? That’s the way people are these days. They don’t give a damm & do whatever the hell they want. Progress is great but developers need to be a bit more sensitive to a towns cuture & history