ironically-named subdivisions

from HTYP, the free directory anyone can edit if they can prove to me that they're not a spambot
Revision as of 20:38, 15 April 2010 by Woozle (talk | contribs) (Garrett Farms)
Jump to navigation Jump to search

About

Developers of new suburban subdivisions seem to have a habit of naming their developments after some feature (usually natural) which was removed in order to make way for the development. This probably unintentional, but certainly ironic.

Examples

  • Alexan Garrett Farms (web site)
    • This development was built on the grounds of a former working farm, which the developer showed no interest in preserving.
      • 2007-10-29 CLIFTON AND LEAH GARRETT FARM: built 1934, demolished 2007-8
        • I totally want to smack the troll who said "It is always astonishing to me to hear people complain about development and accuse developers of being "greedy", then, promote regulations that would undermine the ability of those same developers to profit from the projects they have taken the time, effort and money to make into a reality." That's like arguing that people should stop whining about thieves who invest the time and effort to get into your house, lovingly remove your stuff, and make it earn money instead of just sitting around. How dare we undermine such entrepreneurial spirit? --Woozle 20:38, 15 April 2010 (UTC)
      • 2007-11-20 Say Goodbye to the Garrett Farm: "It's unfortunate that the developer couldn't see the economic benefit of distinguishing their product with some authenticity - and the council didn't feel that saving this little farmhouse was a worthy concession to see a bit of rural Durham preserved."
      • 2008-07-22 Clifton and Leah Garrett Farmhouse on the Move: but at least the farmhouse was saved by being moved elsewhere (not at the developer's expense, of course)
  • Everwood subdivision (in Durham, NC):
    • the site had indeed been "ever wooded" -- until the developer's clearcutting to make room for houses and roads (currently mostly vacant due to the 2009 recession)
    • the web site name (everwoodatlast.com) is doubly ironic -- it implies that the area was unwooded until the developer finally arrived (at last!) to put trees there, now safe for all future generations to walk through and enjoy; this of course is the reverse of the truth.
  • The Forest at Duke, a Durham, NC retirement community built in the 1990s
    • The naming here isn't as intensely ironic, as this community was built on a lot which had already been cleared by a different developer for a commercial project (something like "Chesterfield") which failed with a few houses built. By the time TFaD began construction, the lot was thickly covered with new growth (mostly pine) well on its way to foresthood.

need more examples!