Congratulations to Allen Townsend for this article on the front page of the Real Estate section in the Times-Dispatch! Also thanks to Carol Hazard for such a nice article: Modern, modular Victorian – Prefabricated house fits in among historic Oregon Hill’s homes.

Modern, modular Victorian
Prefabricated house fits in among historic Oregon Hill’s homes

Sunday, Aug 26, 2007 – 12:04 AM

This Victorian at 610 Idlewood Ave., in Oregon Hill is a modular home that was built in a factory and shipped in four modules to the site. Photo By: CLEMENT BRITT/TIMES-DISPATCH

By CAROL HAZARD
TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER
Think Oregon Hill: Victorian. Architectural details. Turn of the century. Working-class neighborhood.

What probably doesn’t come to mind is modular.

Yet the Richmond neighborhood just got its first — a modular Victorian.

“It fits in absolutely perfectly,” said Todd Woodson, president of the Oregon Hill Home Improvement Council Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the neighborhood and providing affordable housing.

“There is nothing wrong with modular, even though modular has gotten a bad rap,” he said. “Most people think double-wide. But it’s not that at all. There’s no question about the quality of this house.”

Modular homes are built in factories and shipped to the building site. Cranes are used to lift the modules into place. Most people would never know the modular Victorian at 610 Idlewood Ave. is not a redone historic home, Woodson said.

Oregon Hill, a federaland state-designated historic district, has 500 historically significant dwellings.

Some homeowners have put hundreds of thousands of dollars into fixing and upgrading houses. Other houses may look rough, but don’t be fooled, Woodson said. “These houses are so well-built, they are not going to fall down.”

The modular house, at the corner of Belvidere Street and Idlewood Avenue, was delivered in four modules on June 19 and pieced together the same day. The final touches are being completed.

“I heard that one of the neighbors took a nap and woke up to find a house built across the street,” said Allen Townsend, a woodworker and realty agent who ordered the house and is finishing up the detail work.

The 1,872-square-foot house has four bedrooms and three baths. Unlike some of its older sister houses, this one is energy efficient with Andersen windows and cement Hardiplank siding.

It was on the market for $299,950.

Townsend had planned to arrange for two modular homes on adjacent lots. But unsure of the slowing housing market, he went with one.

It sold in a week and a half, he said. Townsend said he still may do the other, but not for a while. He’s been working day and night to pull this one together.

Oregon Hill is not likely to see many more modular homes. Most lots are 16 feet to 25 feet wide — too tight for cranes. Contact Carol Hazard at (804) 775-8023 or chazard@timesdispatch.com.