McMansions

Los Angeles Residential

L.A.'s Crackdown on McMansions Hasn't Stopped Them from Going Up

Legislation to stop construction of McMansions is being undermined by a zoning loophole.

March 25, 2020 - Curbed Los Angeles

residential Neighborhood

McMimpact Fee Proposed

Should there be an extra fee for property owners who tear down an existing single-family home and replace it with a much larger, more expensive single-family home?

October 17, 2019 - WAMU

Another McMansion

Behind America's Fixation on Big Houses

McMansion or not, the American home is a good 600 to 800 square feet larger than the average in most other countries. Possible reasons run the gamut from policy to culture to personal economics.

September 27, 2019 - The Atlantic

Suburban Homes

Discretionary Approval for McMansions

Redwood City, located on the San Francisco Peninsula, will make it harder to build homes that take up more than 45 percent of a residential lot.

August 28, 2019 - The Mercury News

Los Angeles Bungalow Court

On the Massive Carbon Savings of Gentle Density

A thought experiment compares the carbon impact of three new single family homes with the same block if it contained a duplex, a triplex, and a fourplex.

June 13, 2019 - Sightline Institute

McMansion

Study: A McMansion Can't Buy Happiness

As houses grow and households shrink, many Americans have a lot more space to themselves. But recent research says they aren't any happier trying to keep up with Joneses.

June 12, 2019 - The Atlantic

McMAnsion

Zoning Changes Would Mean More Granny Flats and Fewer McMansions in Seattle

Is this a two-birds-with-one-stone situation?

May 30, 2019 - The Seattle Times

McMAnsion

Accessory Dwelling Units as Mansionization Control

One benefit of more accessory dwelling units (ADUs) could be less mansionization of oversized single-family homes.

May 10, 2019 - Curbed Seattle

Portland

Portland to Consider New Residential Infill Regulations

The city of Portland's new residential infill ordinance would reduce the number of 1:1 demolitions—which often convert older, affordable homes into expensive McMansions.

October 11, 2017 - Portland for Everyone

Suburbia

McMansion Hell Blog in Legal Hot Water with Real Estate Site Zillow

[Updated June 29, 2017] It's been a mixed bag for viral sensation McMansion Hell. The same day as a feature video by The Washington Post, the news broke that the website is facing potential legal charges from real estate site Zillow.

June 27, 2017 - The Verge

Hollywood Blvd

Study: House Sizes Increase at the Expense of Tree Canopies

A research study has found that increasing house sizes in the Los Angeles area have drastically reduced the number of trees shading the region's landscapes—regardless of geographic location of socioeconomic status.

May 3, 2017 - EurekAlert

Portland

Report: Portland's Proposed Residential Infill Policies Could Slow Infill Development

Portland is expecting 123,000 new households in the city by 2035, so it's proposed a new residential infill policy to accommodate all those people. A new report argues, however, that the policy could have a chilling effect on infill development.

November 3, 2016 - Oregon Public Broadcasting

Residential Infill Regulations Designed to Slow the Advance of McMansions

The city of Portland, Oregon is considering new regulations to limit the kinds of homes that can be built in existing neighborhoods.

October 21, 2016 - Portland for Everyone

The Battle Against McMansions Continues in Burbank

With a two-year Interim Development Control Ordinance set to expire in March 2017, Burbank, California is working on new design guidelines for single-family homes.

September 26, 2016 - The Burbank Leader

McMansion

McMansions Losing Their Shine

Recent analysis shows that Americans are less willing to pay extra for large houses. It's information best viewed skeptically, but it's also worth considering why this trend has finally, semmingly swung the other way.

September 14, 2016 - City Observatory

McMansion

How McMansions Fail Basic Architectural Concepts

A "McMansion 101" post for those who wish to arm themselves with studied arguments against this popular style of residential construction.

August 16, 2016 - McMansion Hell

Back Yard

Yards Getting Smaller as Homes Get Bigger

Americans have shown a clear preference for larger homes—even at the expense of the coveted backyard.

July 11, 2016 - The Boston Globe

Mansionization Déjà Vu Reveals Differences of Opinion in Southern California

An editorial favors one local city's approach to mansionization over another's. When will they ever learn?

October 9, 2015 - Pasadena Star-News

Another McMansion

Why the McMansion Isn't Really Back

Joe Cortright criticizes reports linking high median new home sizes to a renewed demand for McMansions. The market for single-family homes, he argues, locks out buyers of modest means. Only the well-off are buying.

August 21, 2015 - City Observatory City Commentary

Suburbia

American Suburbia Transplanted to Beijing

Chinese and Indian cities have been quick to welcome housing developments modeled on North American suburbs, including "Orange County" and "Vancouver Forest" in Beijing. This globalized sprawl perpetuates all the ills of our own.

June 30, 2015 - The City Fix

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