Each day I drive past this on my way to my office. Located at Central and Palm Lane, Chateaux on Central represents.....
Well, I'm not totally sure. Last I heard the project was in foreclosure. There are residences listed for sale and pending on MLS. Is it a go? If you know the answer, please share.
Who am I to judge architecture? I was asked to drop a college art class due to my utter lack of talent. Chateaux on Central is similar to what you might find in established East Coast cities. Anyway, I cannot remember the last time I saw progress or movement on the job site. I thought I would share a little view of what I get to look at every day.
As a child living in Cleveland, OH, I was fascinated with the concept of mail-order houses. There were homes in my neighborhood which were Sears Modern Homes. Flipping through the Sears Catalog, selecting a Modern Home, mailing in a check, and waiting for the railroad to arrive with my pre-cut supplies. Sears even offered a plan for a 4-unit apartment building. What could be cooler? Sears homes are so beloved that there are registries of enthusiasts and volumes of books written on the subject.
Home Improvement retailer Lowe’s is introducing a modern twist on the Sears mail-order home. The Katrina Cottage will be offered for sale by Lowe’s stores in Louisiana and Mississippi starting in November. Four plans will be available ranging from 544 square feet to 936 square feet. A number of plans will be expandable all the way to 1380 square feet.
The homes, which are designed to be built in six to eight weeks, will cost from $45 - $55 a square foot to build. The materials package will include all the materials necessary to build the home from the foundation up. Lowe’s intends to deliver the materials in stages throughout the building process.
Lowe’s intends to offer the blueprints for the Katrina Cottages in all of its stores nationwide. If the program is successful, the material packages will also be offered in all of the retailer’s locations.
It remains to be seen if the Katrina Cottage will be as embraced and loved as the Sears Modern Home. What the Katrina Cottage does offer is affordable and realistic housing solution for those living in areas where a solution is desperately needed.
