An application for a permit to demolish the house at Westport’s 14 Charcoal Hill Road, off North Avenue, is in process. Built in 1928, the two-story custom contemporary has 2,911 square feet and is situated on a 2.32-acre property. The former co-owners of the house Harry Maynard died in August 2011 at age 93 (see WestportNow, Aug. 12, 2011) and his wife Natalie, a concert pianist, died in March 2012 at age 85 (see WestportNow, March 5, 2012). The house, designed by architect Frazier Peters, was featured on the WestportNow’ series, “Honoring Our Heritage” (see WestportNow, May 21, 2011.) Because the house was built more than 50 years ago, the application will be reviewed by the Westport Historic District Commission. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
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10 thoughts on “Teardown of the Day: 14 Charcoal Hill Road”
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Seriously? Why is an app even being considered, rather reviewed by the Commission, other than they have to. I honestly hope that’s the only reason, and that it’s denied, immediately w/o reservation.
Something of historical beauty & value needs to be kept, not demolished.
It will take some-one very special to want to buy this house, to invest in it and preserve it.
Susan, it sounds as if someone has already purchased it since the app for demolition is going through. Or, at the very least, being heard. They wish to tear it down and build something, I’m only guessing here, so please don’t shoot me-they more than likely want to build a nondescript something or other, rather than preserve this historical beauty.
If that’s the case, then why not buy & build somewhere else and leave this to someone else who is interested in taking care of the past? That’s my question.
No, I’m not in that league, financially before anyone asks. Yes, I get that it takes a lot of money to keep these kinds of homes running, but does that mean they should be torn down? If that’s the case, then what’s the point of having a historical commission in the first place.
Yep, cart before the horse, b/c we don’t know what the decision is, yet…
Week after week, year after year, another piece of Westport history is erased.
Granted, not all old houses are worth rehabilitating but it appears this 1928 Frazier Peter’s house warrants serious consideration.
Why do you buy a house like this if your plan is to tear it down? If you are the homeowner; I request you please consider respecting its history by commissioning an architect to design a sensitive addition, should the 2,911 SF be insufficient for your needs.
If you are a builder/owner razing the structure to construct a new speculative house; a rehabilitation combined with a sensitive addition will undoubtedly make a unique product more likely to capture the attention of a potential buyer, given the massive amount of housing inventory on the market to choose from.
Charcoal Hill Road is such a solid neighborhood, this could be a great project for the community.
Joseph Vallone, Architect A.I.A.
Exactly, Joseph! Razing one structure after the other is not the answer. Once our history is gone, that’s it, it’s erased forever and if that sounds dramatic then so be it b/c the landscape will be no more. It will be entirely cookie cutter minus the architects of old, which is what makes us who we are.
I love your idea of making it a community project and incorporating the respect of history w/ the design features of an addition, or subtraction, whatever’s necessary in order to keep from tearing it down.
some-one needs to take ownership of the cause. You up for it Jean Marie. It doesn’t take money—it takes time, determination and activism.
Unfortunate that Westport doesn’t attract more folks interested in “Honoring our Heritage”.
Click on the link from WestportNow May 21, 2011 to read the thoughts of the then owners of the property. Makes this application even more sad.
The HDC needs the support of the greater community.
The commentaries of four people on a local news site won’t make a difference. Showing up in large numbers when the Commission meets to review the application…maybe.
I’m part of the community in a big way-I volunteer in Westport and have for many years. I also used to live in town for a number of years, as well and spend much of my time there, too. I currently live, “next door,” in Weston, which is why I’m so interested in seeing these homes NOT being torn down.
So, yes, Susan, I’d love to help in any way that I can to stop this insanity, which is what it is. B/c it occurs in other towns, too.
Sandi, I did click on the link and did read the story; total heart breaker. There’s so much history to this property, not only b/c of who lived there, but the architect who built it, and to see all of that destroyed for no reason.
You’re also correct in that the commission needs to hear from large numbers of individuals, not just a handful to stop this.
From the picture above I was wondering what the fuss was about but after clicking on the “Honoring Our Past” link above I fully understand Much better picture of the structure. It’s a beauty and really should be preserved, not demolished.
I agree with Andy Yemma because the photo above displays a rather ugly garage door in the middle of a decaying house. The other photo makes the house look much more impressive.