I think this perspective is a bit over the top. It is human nature to surround onself with a desirable environment, otherwise we would all be happy to live in damp, poorly lit mud-floor cinder-block cells. I bet that most people buy pieces of art because they find them beautiful and enjoy them; not to show off to their neighbors. I assume some people buy more expensive cars because they are a pleasure to drive and not simply to show off. Obviously there are limits, but to think that the majority of people who buy a house with a pleasant view do so primarily to one-up those around them seems overly cynical.

http://seekingalpha.com/article/56374-cibc-high-ltv-prime-loans-vulnerable-citi-most-exposed

this makes prices far less sticky on the way down.

it has gotta be a bad moment for anyone holding housing debt.

Although I have to admit that I’ve seen several really nice sunsets from our house and everybody that comes over seems to be impressed by our view.

It’s about impressing people and/or having something others do not. That’s why towers build in front of other towers blocking others’ views. It’s why SUVs ride higher than cars. Everyone wants to be the guy with the pyramid everyone else died building for him. To be on top. Envied. Revered. To be exclusive.

the party started around 1996 and everything we’ve done since then has been simply putting off the day of reckoning by drinking more. we’ve been partying for a decade now and what happens next is the hangover. guess what? it ain’t gonna blow over in a few months.

http://seekingalpha.com/article/56041-arm-loan-modifications-delaying-the-inevitable

essentially, the author suggests that the hope is to bail out the economy by doing anything necessary to prevent asset depreciation and that this effort can only fail.

a. prices increasing due to lack of supply and higher demand? (you limit the amount of stuff that can be built)
b. spreading outward? (you build towards the burbs)
b2. while you dont invest in the needed infrastructure to accommodate it.

LA and China have brown skies because of the amount of cars and dirty energy sources, not because they have tall buildings and people walk to where they need to go.

I choose door number 3, Mr. Carey. What B&W sez, with the simple design rule that two equally tall or one higher that the other structures not be built directly acrosss from one another. In other words diagonally opposite. Otherwise NYC here we come.

Seriously thought, I disagree with your assertion that a given building doesn’t inherently block anything. If it’s solid material, it blocks some view. The question is just what is actually blocked.

That said, I think you hit the nail on the head regarding the lack of any urban planning in this city. Being a Sci-Fi buff, I look at those elaborate centrally designed domiciles we’re all going to live in sometime in the future and think “oh to actually live someplace that is planned.”

The term “view” is vague and ambiguous, Hades, Mt Ranier is visible from Olympia to Kirkland….they call that a “view”.

Overpopulation will likely destroy all our views at the rate we’re piling condo ant towers into this once fair city; the air will turn brown like LA and China with overpopulation and kiss all our “views” good-bye if/when that happens.

Seriously, neither SFH or multi’s inherently block anything unless you allow for taller and more massive building at lower elevations than you do at higher adjacent elevations. Most issues can usually be solved with creative and talented architects and designers and a little bit of foresight (urban planning anyone?). The fact that so much is built without any care or thought is a bucket of cold water on our natural features.

But you have to admit it; very few towns offer the views you get on the Pacific Northwest (even a cloudy sky is beautiful).

Assume that one building could house every resident in Seattle. Further, assume that it accomplished this by being tall, so every living space had an exterior window. This would be the highest density housing we could imagine. At the same token, it would maximize the view of every resident.

Here’s the alternative. Every single person has a SFH on 4,200 sq ft lots, arranged in a grid fashion with no “green barriers”. Everyone gets direct natural light, but nobody has a view.

So pick!

My sentiments exactly. My beef is this can be accomplished with simpley an iota of thought and design, instead of a ton of overvaluation and greed.

In Seattle, it used to be a waterfront property would sound the trumpets to the holy grail. Now it’s just breathing room. Sad, that we have NYC developer mentality and Chicago politicans dictating what is best now. I don’t buy it.

Could someone please explain to me this fascination with ‘views’?

I’m going to watch the new year’s fireworks from my living room. That’s gotta be worth the extra $0/month I’m paying in rent.

Seriously though, the best thing about having a view is that you aren’t looking straight into someone else’s house (and vice versa). Although I have to admit that I’ve seen several really nice sunsets from our house and everybody that comes over seems to be impressed by our view.

Reply – Quote

I’ve never understood why people move here and then whine about the rain. I don’t like sun, but if I did I’d move somewhere that has it.

‘The rest of the year, people are usually outside enjoying the nice weather while we have it.’

Good point. I on the other hand am lazy :-)

I’ve had a view of Elliot Bay for 10 years – it was the one thing I wanted when I moved here – and it never gets old. It helps me unwind from the 520 commute. I’ve thought about moving closer to work, but I’d pay at least as much or more for a no-view crackerbox in Redmond so it would definitely be a net loss.

I agree with you RCC, views are overrated. They are desired by people who don’t have them because those that don’t have them think their lives will be a lot better with them, or something like that.

I grew up on sunset hill with a view of Puget Sound, Bainbridge Island and the Olympic Mountains. Every once in a while it’s entertaining to pass time watching the ships go by, but it gets old after a while. I definitely wouldn’t pay hundreds of thousands of dollars for it.

=======
Actually, my comment above was a joke. I’ve never taken any engineering class in my life. Guess I played it too deadpan. :)

Marketing, when you flip your condo.

on December 4th, 2007 at 9:58 am

Speaking from experience (structural engineering), you shouldn’t worry about the 18′ gap between the two buildings during an earthquake. The buildings will sway in unison and always be perfectly parallel to one another. The technical term for this is “synchronized swaying”.

I am not an engineer, but I know buildings will hit each other and I will blog about it!

6 months out of the year, it’s dark outside from the time you get home from work until the time you leave for work in the morning (if you have a day job).

During those same 9 1/2 months, most people I know frown when the look outside and see the rain or clouds.

The rest of the year, people are usually outside enjoying the nice weather while we have it. If you have a SFH, you might enjoy your view then, but if you live in a Condo you have to go someplace else to enjoy the outdoors anyways.

Again, what’s with views?

I have seen what happens when two buildings sway – a friend had an apartment in SF that spanned 2 buildings, designed to look like one (very close together). A breakaway was designed to fill the gap, with the asssumption the difference in sway would be minimal (according to the engineers). Well, the apartment was a mess after the 1989 earthquake, and required major repairs.