1311 Kenyon Ave. 1,800 sq. ft. (approx) 3 bdrm, 2&1/2 bath $139,000 Contact: Jennifer Montgomery Coldwell Banker 693-1111 Comment on this story

by Matt Edens

My last column about Rarity Ridge, the “New Urbanist” real estate development in east Roane County generated a little email commentary from an urban purist I know who mocked the Rarity folks for building a mock small town. He has a point, I suppose. The cutesy “neo-traditional” architectural styles typical of the genre have drawn the occasional sneer from critics who deride such things as “cartoonish.” Maybe.

Perhaps there’s something dishonest about, at the dawn of the 21st century, building architecture that looks like it belongs in the 19th. But, then, a lot of 20th century Modern—with a capital M—architecture looked pretty cartoonish to me, particularly if the cartoon in question is The Jetsons.

The uber-architects of Modernism were disappointed, no doubt, that the masses largely rejected their anti-bourgeoisie “machines for living.” But they missed one very of the salient points of home-buying: people like them to be, well, homey. Which is one reason why traditional styles not only persist, but are periodically recycled: one reason why you can find fine 75-year-old reproductions of Tuscan Villas or Cotswold Manor Houses in Sequoyah Hills.

Modern engineering can build just about any structure imaginable—just ask Frank Gehry. But it’s tradition and history, rooted in people, which humanize it. And it’s that human factor that makes a house a home. Which is something that modern real estate developers are well aware of. And it showed during my tour of Rarity Ridge. Not only were the houses decorated to appear lived-in—right down to children’s toys scattered around—the entry to each house had a framed story devoted to the fictional people that “lived” there (the décor, in a masterful yet creepy way, even included “family photographs”). It was a diverse mix: families with kids, empty nesters, young married couples and even singles in some of the town homes.

And that’s where they lost me. Sure, I could see the attraction for families. But why would young couples and singles and even the empty nesters (who constitute a surprising amount of the modern urban demographic) want to live in the middle of nowhere? Remember, while close to water, these weren’t lake houses; they were small houses on small lots, comparable to what you’d find in Knoxville’s center city. But there was no comparing the amenities Rarity Ridge offered, even once its “town center” is built out, with all that downtown Knoxville has to offer: nightlife, restaurants, museums and libraries and a string of impressive parks like Volunteer Landing. And, like Rarity Ridge, it’s nowhere near built out, either.

Not only are there more lofts coming online, but there are other big-ticket amenities on the horizon, like a movie theater, children’s discovery center and a library (here’s hoping...) all light-years closer than Rarity Ridge’s “convenient drive to Turkey Creek.”

And the best—and most ironic—part is that you can get the real thing for much less than the knock-off: this charming bungalow in Old North Knoxville, for example. Priced at $77 per square foot, it’s certainly competitive with Rarity Ridge’s $97 to $125 price range. And, nicely restored, it’s equally competitive on quality as well, with oak floors, casement windows and a large master suit with separate garden tub and shower in the bath. Best of all are the large west-facing sunroom bathed in natural light and the lush landscaped corner lot with loads of crepe myrtles. So if you want to experience “traditional” living, why not save yourself some money? And a commute.

July 29, 2004 • Vol. 14, No. 31 © 2004 Metro Pulse