San Antonio Vintage Homes

Historically and Architecturally Significant Homes in San Antonio.

Thursday, October 08, 2009

King William 2-2.5 Townhome

King William 2-2.5 Townhome  
A sneak peek before everyone else!
Historically and Architecturally Significant San Antonio Vintage Homes



Louvered air vents


Architectural Analysis

By: Architectural Historian Shelley Roff, Ph.D.

The King William Townhomes were awarded Best New Residential Development in 2005 by the Downtown Alliance. Near the Riverwalk and in the midst of the most beautiful historic neighborhood in San Antonio, the developer James Lifshutz (creator of Blue Star) could not have picked a more desirable location for his new project.

On the corner of Guenther and South Alamo, the townhomes provide modern, urban, luxury housing that blends harmoniously with the stately Victorian and Neoclassical mansions built in the 19th century.

Mr. Lifshutz envisioned a project that would blend in with the architectural style of the neighborhood, but not try to necessarily replicate the small church that was there. He hired FischerHeck Architects to design a townhome complex which responds beautifully to this request.

The stairs go from the street level to the 2nd floor, which often is the main floor. This gives the townhomes a feeling of connection to street life, yet also protects the living spaces from the noise. Built with wood frame construction, a standing-seam metal roof, and wrapped in Hardie board and limestone, the townhomes materially respond to their environs. The gabled roofs, saw cut window frames, and louvered air vents are simplified versions of those details seen in homes nearby.

The townhome for sale, 400 Guenther, #3101 is a two-story structure in the back with a garage, private entrance porch, and a lovely outdoor patio in the back shaded by trees. The plan of the home is an interesting combination of traditional and modern concepts.

As one might find in a typical Folk Victorian house plan in this neighborhood, the main entrance of the home leads you passed a prominent oak-railed staircase directly to the back of the house. Traditionally, the living spaces would be off to each side. In this more modern version, the privacy of the home is protected by having the garage out front and the remaining spaces oriented towards the tree-sheltered back.

The living room and kitchen spatially open to each other and share the dappled light coming in from the windows. The spaces are designed to accommodate the way that families prepare meals and socialize together today.

The volume of the staircase is also open, like a shaft that penetrates the two floors, giving better visual and social connection between the two. All the other details of the house, the bathroom fixtures, the ceiling fans, light fixtures are contemporary. Only the broad molding covering the seam between the wall and ceiling in each room pays homage to an architectural detail from the past.

400 Guenther, #3101 History with Photos




Greetings!

400, GuentherFor many, the ultimate hassle-free form of urban living is a downtown townhome condo. This works great for those who travel a lot or who don't want to have to deal with all the maintenance of a normal home.

Here's that very place in a 2 bedroom, 2.5 bath townhome on the corner of Guenther and S. Alamo in the historic King William Neighborhood.

Living here is like having one foot a step from Blue Star Arts Complex and the other foot a step from Casbeers and Beethoven Maennerchor. (Step step step = POLKA for Oktoberfest!)

And as usual, I am sharing it with you and those you care about before it goes on MLS. I have a tight schedule on this one, so if you know someone who might be interested, please pass this on so they can see it before anyone else knows about it.

There are lots of condos downtown, but this one located where the action is. Plus, this townhome is priced to go fast, so don't pause...

Prost!
Joe Barfield, Broker, GRI, e-Pro, ecoBroker
210-846-9273
Specializing in Homes of Character & History
The Joe Barfield Group of Keller Williams Alamo Heights

King William 2-2.5 Townhome - $269,900


Living Room
Living Room

A Wonderful King William Townhome off-street. Corner unit with ample natural light. Master bedroom has a walk-through closet and balcony overlooking priva, it is convenient to Riverwalk and downtown San Antonio.

  • 2 bedrooms and 2 full, 1 partial baths - $269,900.
  • 1,373 square feet.
  • See the Virtual Tour.
  • Built in 2003.
  • 1 car attached garage.
  • Living room, Dining room and Breakfast nook.
  • Hardwood floors.
  • Central heating and air conditioning.
  • Walk-in closet.
  • Laundry area - inside.
  • Ground floor entry.
  • Upgraded (expensive) blinds.
  • Protected from street location.
  • Corner unit with ample natural light.
  • Walk to work downtown.
  • Wonderful shopping and dining around the corner.
  • Located in San Antonio Independent School District.
  • Convenient to Riverwalk and downtown.
  • What else is Nearby?

View the Map


Walkable Neighborhood (74 out of 100 is great for S.A.!)

Walkscore Tile The King William Historic District is located south of downtown San Antonio on the east bank of the San Antonio River. A very walkable neighborhood, it is in close proximity to Riverwalk, and downtown San Antonio. The neighborhood is rich in history and cultural diversity.

Popular restaurants in the area include Guenther House, Rosario's and Titos, all within a mile. Located in the San Antonio ISD, schools including the award-winning Bonham Elementary.

King William is also home to many: Literary Giants of the past & present,

The neighborhood attractions include King William Fair, San Antonio Missions National Historic Park, Texas Air Museum and The Rollercade.



Courtyard
Courtyard


There you have it. Please don't hesitate to respond to this email or call me or my team if you or someone you know might be interested in this home.

Sincerely,

Joe Barfield

The Joe Barfield Group of Keller Williams Alamo Heights
joe@joebarfield.com
210-846-9273

www.SanAntonioVintageHomes.com
www.JoesListings.Blogspot.com- Architectural History Blog
www.SAMusicAndArt.com
- Art, Music & Architecture Newsletter



The architectural write-up is provided by Dr. Roff. Any reference to families is strictly academic. The Joe Barfield Group embraces all Equal Opportunity Housing Laws.

Monday, July 20, 2009

Monticello Park 3-1.5 Spanish Hacienda Revival

Monticello Park 3-1.5 Spanish Hacienda Revival  
A sneak peek before everyone else!
Historically and Architecturally Significant San Antonio Vintage Homes

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Crystal Door-knob

Architectural Analysis

By: Architectural Historian Shelley Roff, Ph.D.

The neighborhood around the renowned Jefferson High School near Woodlawn Lake is filled with charming bungalows and stately mansions from the 1920s and 30s. Driving around you can see English Tudor Revivals, Arts and Crafts-inspired bungalows, crazy-brick cottages, stuccoed bungalows with sculpted medieval turrets, and a number of Alamo-inspired renditions. The Spanish Hacienda character of the house at 213 Donaldson is quintessentially "San Antonio".

The bright white stuccoed walls, contrasting dark chocolate trim and window frames, and arcaded front porch are hallmark details of a Spanish Hacienda Revival -- as well as the barrel-vaulted ceiling of the living room on the interior. To enhance the Spanish rustic look, the present owners have added Sausalito tile to the front porch and blocks of wood at the roofline to indicate the idea of vigas, roof rafters that appear to extend through the wall to the exterior.

The owners have done a marvelous job restoring it. The house is built on a pier and beam foundation and solid, stable ground. Built in 1935 with old-growth pine, balloon-frame construction and plaster, the owners were careful to preserve the home's valuable materials and most hand-crafted architectural details from the period. And yet, the modern touches they have added warrant the house's debut in a design trade journal. The front entry has a clean modern feel to it, almost something from Dwell magazine or West Elm, as well as the back porch and outside storage shed, designed by the owner who is a carpenter and artist.

The backyard has been transformed with great love into a paradise with fruit trees such as orange and peach, stone paths that cut through the grass and leading you to a flagstone seating area in one part, or around the house to a shaded grotto replete with bubbling fountain. The path continues to wander around to a side porch and desert cactus garden.

The stuccoed living room interior is shaped by a long, transverse barrel vault which ends in a wall with a grand arch and smaller arched cut-out windows, giving you a clear view into the dining room. Solid oak floors also connect the rooms visually. The fireplace reminds me of a sculpted outdoor baking oven, the kind you would see in Mexico, with dark bricks of varying sizes outlining the opening in a creative pattern.

The house's wood panel doors and crystal door knobs are nicely restored, and the kitchen cabinetry has been renovated in keeping with the simplicity of earlier renditions of 1930s kitchens I have seen. Also in a appropriate vein to the period, the large and sunny eat-in kitchen has been newly covered with black and white checkered linoleum tile, which has also been introduced into the truly lovely mint green bathroom. Don't miss the awesome cubbyhole storage unit in the children's bedroom.





Greetings!

213, Donaldson AvenueOne of the pleasures of my career is that I get to meet neat people with incredible passions and talents. Take James and Tracie... They took a nice Spanish-style home in historic Monticello Park and transformed it with vision and meticulous carpentry into a jewel of a home.

As I walked through their neat 3 bed, 1.5 bath home, I kept thinking how stupid cool their home was. There are wonderful spaces inside and out- floating storage, incredible arches... You are just going to have to see the photos. Anyway, they spent a ton of ton, time, effort and money to restore this home and make it functionally awesome.

If they had paid retail for the improvements, we are talking big money! So... someone will get to steal this home and call it home.

As you have come to expect, 213 Donaldson isn't on MLS and I haven't put a sign up, but it is for sale. This home remains a secret... for now. If you know anyone who might be interested in this hacienda, pass it on before the whole planet gets ahold of it. :-)

Joe Barfield, Broker, GRI, e-Pro, ecoBroker
210-846-9273
Specializing in Homes of Character & History
The Joe Barfield Group of Keller Williams

Monticello Park 3-1.5 Spanish Hacienda Revival - $185,000


Living Room
Living Room

A great Spanish Hacienda in Historic Monticello Park. Crafted with love and vision, it is convenient to Woodlawn Lake and downtown.

View the Map


Walkable Neighborhood

Walkscore Tile Monticello Park is located west of Interstate 10 and off Fredericksburg Road. A walkable neighborhood, it is in close proximity to Woodlawn Lake, Bijou theater, Woodlawn theater and downtown.

Popular restaurants in the area include Alamo Pizza, Jacala Mexican, Blanco's Mexican and Tacos del Julio, all within a mile. Located in the San Antonio Independent School District, schools including Woodlawn Elmentary and Jefferson Highschool are a few blocks away.


The exceptional (and free!) Aspire Academy KIPP school is right down Fredericksburg Rd. (delivered, no less!) Thai food can be delivered to your door (paletas, too...) Deano's Liquor and Cool Crest Golf, and Breakfast Taco Donuts are all notable icons nearby.




Some Wonderful Memories


Family Room
Family Room

The current owner, Tracie shares her favorite memories of 213, Donaldson Avenue.

  • It's quick launch to Bijou theater. Off I-10 between 410 and 35, Medical Center, Downtown.
  • Alamo Pizza has the best pizza in town. We always get a plain cheese pizza and sometimes one with spinach, mushrooms, onions. Everything is great there- calzones, pasta salad, meatball sandwiches. They know us by name and our typical order (extra large cheese pizza for pick-up, side of Ranch). We always know when the owner is working because he puts a couple of banana peppers on the side.
  • A quick walk to the bank, so many paletas! Walking over to Woodlawn theater. You can even walk to the HEB. Everything is so close.
  • Taking walks in the evenings and looking at all the different houses.
  • Blocks away from Woodlawn Elmentary and Jefferson Highschool. It's nice to go running on the track at Jefferson. Walking distance to Woodlawn Lake. A great place to run, walk, have a picnic, and feed the ducks. The park has a great jungle gym and a huge public pool with a slide.
  • Working in front bedroom. It's so private and quiet.
  • Many great garage sales in the neighborhood, lots of great finds.
  • Going down to Jefferson High school for late night runs.
  • Laying in the grass and looking up at our beautiful pecan tree.
  • Eating breakfast in the kitchen and watching red birds and doves come to steal some cat food off the back porch.
  • Opening all the windows in the bedroom and taking a nap with the great breezes and garden views.
  • Sitting outside and listening to the music coming from Woodlawn Theater in the evenings.
  • Parties in the backyard. We have had great birthday parties and barbeques in the back yard.
  • 4th of July at Woodlawn Lake. So close we can avoid all the traffic and walk to the lake to see the fireworks.
  • Halloween parties! Sitting on the front porch giving out so many bags of candy and watching the amazing parade of families. So many people it is like something out of a movie!.
  • 4th of July dinner parties. All our friends come over and we barbeque and make margaritas. Then we grab some blankets and walk down to the lake and enjoy all the fireworks. Then we walk back to the house and continue eating and drinking!
  • Great next door neighbor, brought over great baby gifts. She's so sweet.
  • Working on the house with my dad building the shed and patio.
  • Ruby's first Christmas. Filling our backyard with lights and decorations to make her a winter wonderland.
  • Watching all the spring flowers come up in the garden.
  • Lounging all day in the hammock or just laying in the grass getting some sun. Blossoming cacti garden, large nigh time blooms. So many pecans!
  • Great to be a part of the Deco District. Lots of revitalization in the area. Possible via light rail expansion to the Medical Center down Fredricksburg. So many wonderful taco huts down Fredricksburg.


There you have it. Please don't hesitate to respond to this email or call me or my team if you or someone you know might be interested in this home.

Sincerely,

Joe Barfield

The Joe Barfield Group of Keller Williams Alamo Heights
joe@joebarfield.com
210-846-9273

www.SanAntonioVintageHomes.com
www.JoesListings.Blogspot.com- Architectural History Blog
www.SAMusicAndArt.com
- Art, Music & Architecture Newsletter



The architectural write-up is provided by Dr. Roff. Any reference to families is strictly academic. The Joe Barfield Group embraces all Equal Opportunity Housing Laws.

Thursday, April 09, 2009

Mahncke Park 2-2 Bungalow


Mahncke Park 2-2 Bungalow A sneak peek before everyone else!
Historically and Architecturally Significant San Antonio Vintage Homes

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Stained-glass Window

Jump to:
Walkable
Details
Favorite Memories

Architectural Analysis

By: Architectural Historian Shelley Roff, Ph.D.

"The best things come in small packages." This medieval proverb was the first thought that came to mind after seeing this charming bungalow at 500 Queen Anne. This Colonial Revival bungalow captured my heart with its eyebrow dormer sheltering a fanlight entry to the house, and its picket fence bordering the rose garden and orchid tree. Or perhaps it was the heartwarming effect of glowing rays of sun that scattered across the newly crafted Arts and Crafts cabinetry and hardwood floors in the living and dining room.

The house was originally built in 1935 by a couple who owned a grocery store a few blocks away. The Colonial Revival style was considered to be patriotic in its time, a celebration of American roots in the Colonial period of the Eastern seaboard. These houses typically had the main entrance placed in the center of a perfectly symmetrical composition, and side porches and classical details such as the Doric columns supporting the porch of this house were common.

The present owners told me that the kitchen still had its original built-in cupboard, complete with flour and sugar bins when they moved in! To make make it more functional for modern living, they replaced those hard-to-clean bins, constructed a built-in desk with internet connection, and brought in a new source of light for the kitchen. They opened the ceiling in the hallway and replaced a large attic fan with a skylight, which truly illuminates the view from the kitchen into the more private spaces of the house. A similar skylight was installed over the shower in the new bathroom constructed for the front bedroom.

The renovations to the house have given the interior its present Arts and Crafts character, which can be seen in details such as the new wood and glass panel kitchen cabinetry, the copper kitchen faucet and the beautiful stained glass window looking into the back yard (and the aforementioned cabinetry in the living room). They preserved many of the original architectural details, such as the exterior Doric columns, latticework window screens, the interior molding, wood panel doors, glass door knobs and hexagonal floor tile and subway tile in the bathroom.

The back bedroom is illuminated on three sides by banks of windows which look out through crape myrtles into the back yard. Heavy timbers were used to create the awning over the back porch and the staircase leading up to the studio over the garage, adding a comfortable, earthy feeling to the exterior. The dappled sunlight effect on the interior of the house is continued into the backyard with a nice balance of open sunlit space and partial shade from overhanging oak and flowering trees.

500 Queen Anne Architectural History with Images

Greetings!

500, Queen AnneLiving in Mahncke Park is extremely convenient and the neighbors are quirky. Downtown, Trinity, Fort Sam, Central Market- you name it - it's probably 5 minutes away. As for the neighbors, you may have to meet them yourselves... which may be an option at 500 Queen Anne.

This new (pre-MLS) home is hard to miss with the gorgeous Hong Kong Orchid Tree out front. The home itself is impressive with extensive built-ins, natural light and a new construction 2-car garage with large studio upstairs. There aren't many (any) like that in Mahncke Park!

As usual, you get to pass this on to any friends, family or co-workers who might want to know about a Mahncke bungalow before it hits MLS. Just to be clear, it is for sale, and you are among the first few to learn of it.

Give us a shout- interest rates are phenomenal!

Joe Barfield, Broker, GRI, e-Pro
210-846-9273
Specializing in Homes of Character & History
The Joe Barfield Group of Keller Williams
Mahncke Park 2-2 Bungalow - $199,900


Living Room
Living Room

DetailsAn adorable portico-style bungalow in Mahncke Park with new detached 2-car garage and 500 sq ft quarters/ artist studio. Close to everything including Fort Sam.

View the Map


WalkableWalkable Neighborhood

Shopping and dining nearby include WD Deli, Bygone's Quality Used Furniture, Half Price Books, Vespa on Broadway, Boardwalk Bistro, Tre Trattoria, Good Time Charlie's, Koi Kawa, Van's award-winning Vietnamese Food, Little Aussie Bakery and The Pig Stands

Convenient Alternative Schools are Acorn School, The Circle School, Monte Vista Montessori, Aspire Academy, Kriterion, San Antonio Academy and Keystone School


Memories Fond Memories


Back Bedroom
Back Bedroom

The current owners, James and Judith, share their favorite memories of 500, Queen Anne.


There you have it. Please don't hesitate to respond to this email or call me or my team if you or someone you know might be interested in this home.

Sincerely,

Joe Barfield

The Joe Barfield Group of Keller Williams Realty
joe@joebarfield.com
210-846-9273

www.SanAntonioVintageHomes.com
www.JoesListings.Blogspot.com- Architectural History Blog
www.SAMusicAndArt.com
- Art, Music & Architecture Newsletter



The architectural write-up is provided by Dr. Roff. Any reference to families is strictly academic. The Joe Barfield Group embraces all Equal Opportunity Housing Laws.



Thursday, February 19, 2009

pre-MLS sneak- Jefferson area Traditional Cottage

Jefferson Terrace 3-1 Minimal Traditional  
A sneak peek before everyone else!
Historically and Architecturally Significant San Antonio Vintage Homes

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Crown Molding

Architectural Analysis

By: Architectural Historian Shelley Roff, Ph.D.

610 Shadwell Drive, a charming cottage ornamented with green shutters and flower boxes on each window, was built in Jefferson Terrace in 1941.

In this Great Depression era, the majority of homes were designed with singular economy in mind, but never without a little added style - a style we call today, Minimal Traditional. These houses typically are one-story with low-pitched roofs and close-set eaves, and a minimum of wood trim and molding on the exterior and interior of the house.

The body of the house was probably originally covered in the traditional fiber-cement shingles with wavy edges. The original exterior screens set within the windows are a design that I have seen on houses in San Antonio as early as 1905.

The house appears to have been renovated with an envelope of vinyl siding, the green shutters, and the iron-structure car portico with floral details that date it to the 1960s.

Built in the early 40s, this house was designed just after the Ranch style became popular in California, and it exhibits a few influences in its design. The long body of the house lies perpendicular to the street; however, the interior spaces of the house are laid out asymmetrically.

A long living room occupies the center, whose back wall divides the living area from the kitchen and a dining area (which originally was a covered exterior porch).

Typically a ranch-style home had an axial view (a line of sight) from a front living room window back directly through that space to the back yard. The gabled wing on the right side of the house merely amplifies the space of the living room. The house appears to step down in terraces from the living room, to the dining area, to the present exterior back porch, to the yard.

Cottage-craft woodwork popular from the 1920s to the 40s - a holdover from the Victorian era - can be seen in the kitchen cabinetry, especially in the doily detail framing the window over the sink and the curved-edge shelves that ornament an extended wing of the kitchen counter.

This bright, sunny kitchen probably had a beadboard wainscot covering the walls, which has since been removed. The 1940s woodwork can also be seen in the panel doors - especially note the kitchen door that swings shut to keep heat and odors inside, and yet allow a hostess to easily navigate her way out with a party platter.

The previous owners of this house have carefully maintained most of its original details, such as the quaint carved wood telephone niche in the hallway, and numerous forms of brass and glass door knobs.

The pink and wine bathroom tile may be original. The built-in book shelves are harder to date; they could be original to the house or part of a renovation done in the 1960s.

Architectural History




Greetings!

610, Shadwell DriveCan you keep a secret, because I haven't told anyone else...

As usual, you and the people you care about get to see my listings before they go on MLS or the sign is up! 610 Shadwell is perfect for someone who wants to live in towards town, have a nice 3 bedroom home near Monticello Park with central everything, and priced comparable to renting.

Michael and Andrea are great. They keep their homespotless and have been awesome to work with. They are looking for a larger home and have priced their home aggressively to sell. We went ahead and priced it at $119,900. That is a steal for this home with its upgrades.

Let's keep this in the family- pass it on if you know someone who is looking for or should be looking for their first home. 610 Shadwell. We would gladly assist. Click here to let someone in on it...

Joe Barfield, Broker, GRI, e-Pro
210-846-9273
Specializing in Homes of Character & History
The Joe Barfield Group of Keller Williams

Jefferson Terrace 3-1 Traditional Cottage- $119,900


Living Room
Living Room

A great Minimal Traditional home in Jefferson Terrace. This well-kept home with Spanish charm has a large backyard.

View the Map


Neighborhood

Walkscore Tile Jefferson Terrace is ideally located with close proximity to schools, churches and community centers. Crossroads Mall, Woodlawn Lake and St. Mary's University are in close proximity.

Popular restaurants in the area include Tip Top, Jacala Mexican Restaurant and La Fogata. Located in San Antonio Independent School District, schools including Jefferson High are located within a couple of miles.


Some Wonderful Memories


Patio
Patio

The current owners, Andrea and Michael, share their favorite memories of 610, Shadwell Drive.

  • It's quick dash to The Bijou, Woodlawn Lake, Crossroads Mall, Northwest Theater, Downtown, The Woodlawn Theatre, Tip Top, Jacala, Tacos and Doughnuts to go, Deco HEB and Marketplace.
  • Jacala never lets us down. There has never been a time that we haven't had an amazing experience there. The food is great, cheap, and fast. Favorite dishes are Cheese enchiladas and Queso Flameado. Don't forget the margaritas and mariachis and not to mention the nostalgic pictures of famous people and fiesta posters adorning the walls. But Tip Top is also right down the street...
  • There's no traffic from busy intersections or really anything for at least a couple miles in any direction but it's just a stones throw from the highway.
  • There are several parks in the area and wonderful architecture in the homes in our neighborhood. Walks are great for admiring the deco era of San Antonio. The churches are also a big plus. We go to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Little Flower regularly.
  • Woodlawn Lake is just minutes away and has been done beautifully. The pool is fantastic in the summer. There is also Seeling Park which is great for walking. Joe Ward which is a pool in walking distance and has basketball and soccer as well as great picnicking with a place for the kids to play.
  • Getting infinite drink refills at the Northwest theatre as well as watching underground flicks at the Bijou (Go slumdog!).
  • Looking for hidden treasures at the Northwest Center Flea Market.
  • Getting great deals on produce and meat at HEB Marketplace, not to mention great hand made sushi made by a guy who's first language is Japanese made right on the spot.
  • Being very central to both downtown, shopping centers, and the medical center.
  • Cooking for friends and family.
  • Watching the Jefferson Band march in your neighborhood.
  • Walking the dogs at the nearby community center.
  • Chatting with friends and family on the back patio while barbqing.
  • Relaxing in the hammock in the back yard.

There you have it. Please don't hesitate to respond to this email or call me or my team if you or someone you know might be interested in this home.

Sincerely,

Joe Barfield

The Joe Barfield Group of Keller Williams Realty
joe@joebarfield.com
210-846-9273

www.SanAntonioVintageHomes.com
www.JoesListings.Blogspot.com- Architectural History Blog
www.SAMusicAndArt.com
- Art, Music & Architecture Newsletter



The architectural write-up is provided by Dr. Roff. Any reference to families is strictly academic. The Joe Barfield Group embraces all Equal Opportunity Housing Laws.
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