Value is in the eye of the beholder.

James Tarmy reports on the surprising lack of value that residential buildings designed by starchitects (i.e., the most famous of globe-trotting, high-profile-project-designing architects) find when sold on the open market.
The article launches with the example of a home designed by Steven Holl for a homeowner in the Catskills, who recently listed the property for $1.6 million, or 20 percent less than the money spent developing the property 23 years ago. Moreover, the property's real estate broker is quoted in the article saying a typical local realtor would value that house at $400,000, based just on location and square footage.
The reality of selling a "starchitect"-designed home is sobering, according to Tarmy, who includes more anecdotes, mostly from the perspective of the brokers stuck in limbo trying to sell a few famous examples around the country.
While Tarmy's coverage focuses on contemporary examples, the tough real estate market for notable historic residential architecture is also famously sluggish, like with examples from John Lautner and Frank Lloyd Wright in Los Angeles.
FULL STORY: Having a Home by a Star Architect Is Amazing, Until You Try to Sell It

Americans May Be Stuck — But Why?
Americans are moving a lot less than they once did, and that is a problem. While Yoni Applebaum, in his highly-publicized article Stuck, gets the reasons badly wrong, it's still important to ask: why are we moving so much less than before?

Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.

Placekeeping: Setting a New Precedent for City Planners
How a preservation-based approach to redevelopment and urban design can prevent displacement and honor legacy communities.

San Diego Swaps Parking Lane for Kid-Friendly Mini Park
The block-long greenway will feature interactive play equipment and landscaping.

Tracking the Invisible: Methane Leaks From LA’s Neighborhood Oil Sites
Environmental advocates are using infrared technology to monitor and document methane leaks from neighborhood oil sites, filling regulatory gaps and pushing for stronger protections to safeguard community health and the climate.

Montana Bill Promotes Parking Reform
A bill before the Montana state senate would bar cities from requiring more than one parking spot per new housing unit.
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