WHAT is it? WHERE is it? Tell me what your first thoughts were.
It's about a mile from our house on a well-travelled street. When it was being built, neighbors and passersby in this older neighborhood of small brick bungalows and modest ranch homes thought it was a church. Imagine the speculations when those gargoyles were positioned on the roof. Some people thought it might be a gothic hotel or bed and breakfast. Others wondered if it was going to be a reception hall. The sign in the yard advertises the sustainable building materials.
As it turns out, it is a monstrosity of a castle-home that dwarfs the well-kept single story houses. The news station investigated, obtained the owner's name, but he did not respond to a request for a statement. The investigative reporter discovered that county zoning laws do not cover aesthetics, only building codes. So, in the county of St. Louis, you too, could have something like this towering over your home sweet home.
And then, a block away from the castle is the gingerbread house. This picture does not depict the details, the stained glass sugar plums and doo-dads, nor the many hues of purple.
Both houses look very out of place in the neighborhood, but I'll bet you can guess which one I would prefer as a neighboring home.
12 comments:
It certainly is a striking home. It reminds me of the Lego Castle set. The fence detracts from the house (and keeps them from using the front yard. You'd think they'd have a wide stone path and perhaps a drawbridge?
When I was growing up, there was a large adobe hacienda that didn't fit into the neighborhood. I figure it was a vanity house, but the owner had bigger plans.
The owner later bought some nearby land and created an entire community that included hacienda-style townhouses. They still look out of place, but we grew accustomed to the adobe and tiled roofs.
I agree with Kim. The fence around the castle home is unsightly. It seems out of place, which makes the castle seem REALLY out of place.
Both places would be easy to find. If you were giving directions to your friends, you wouldn't have to give the number of your house...just tell them a few details about what the house looks like.
I love the Gingerbread house! The other structure is dark and forboding. Is that area zoned for business? It may just be one of those things that make you go...hmmmmm!
My first thought was it was a mission style church located in someplace like Texas or Southern California. Never imagined it was in St. Louis. I gave up a long time ago trying to figure out why people do such strange things.
Well, you don't have to look at it from the inside. The purple gingerbread is kinda cute, however.
Hi Linda...I thought it was a castle in Europe. Looks scary, though. Too dark and unwelcoming. They needs some petunias or something. ha hahah
You are right, though. I'd take the gingerbread house any day over the castle.
Susan
I don't mind a castle as long as it's an ATTRACTIVE castle. This one doesn't qualify.
Pat
Critter Alley
I'm glad I don't live next to that castle! The gingerbread house has a fairytale quality to it that's fun. I might even want to live there, especially since it's purple. :)
Some people have strange taste or maybe none at all.
Merle......
We have some wacky houses too. There is one called the "castle" house. It has not one square corner...everything is circular. Rumor has it (and you know how that goes) that the owner has a phobia about corners. If nothing else, it's a landmark!
No accounting for some people's tastes! I think the purple one is at least tastefully painted and looks soothing anyway....
I would much prefer the gingerbread house. That castle look like it might have a dungeon in it! Yikes!
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