A wealthy couple has sparked outrage over plans to tear down their historic Tudor revival-style mansion and replace it with a modern home.
Christopher and Andrea Ketcherside bought the stunning 96-year-old home in the Sunset Hill neighborhood of Kansas City, Missouri, in 2013 with no plans to change it.
But over the years, they have dealt with constant flooding and other problems, they told The Kansas City Star.
In January, the couple submitted plans to demolish the whole house, which were given the go-ahead by city officials despite its historic significance.
Images show the home as it currently is with gabled slate roofs, a chimney stack and half-timbering throughout.
A rendering of what the couple propose leaves little of the original design, with just a nod to the architectural style which became popular in the US in the late 19th century.
The Office of Historic Preservation recommended the demolition be delayed 45 days, according to a February 20 report, noting the quality of the existing house.
According to that report, the home also met one of four criteria to be possibly listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP).
Christopher and Andrea Ketcherside bought the home in 2013 with no plans to change it, but constant flooding and other issues have forced their hand, they said
A rendering of what they propose involves little of the original design, stripping it back to a modern attempt at the architecture
The couple submitted plans which were approved by officials in Kansas City despite the home’s historic significance
A meeting was set to take place to hear the details of the report and offer locals a say in the matter, but it was canceled and the demolition was given the green light after officials allowed an important deadline to lapse.
Under local laws that were brought in two years ago, the Office of Historic Preservation have to assess any proposed demolitions to buildings older than 50 years.
Officials evaluate whether or not the buildings would meet the criteria to be listed on the city’s Register of Historic Places or the NRHP.
If they are found to be eligible, their findings must go before a public hearing within 45 days of the application to demolish being filed.
This is supposed to allow neighborhood groups, preservation groups and locals to file applications to have their say, potentially delaying demolition.
According to The Kansas City Star, the meeting to hear recommendations over its historical value was canceled due to a ‘lack of quorum’, and the deadline ran out this week.
Due to the commission being unable to meet within the 45 days of the application being posted, the application was automatically approved.
The city’s neighborhood services said in a statement: ‘Since the commission was unable to meet before the 45 day deadline, the demolition can proceed without any review from the commission.’
The home is seen here in a picture taken in the 1940s and attached to the report filed on February 20
The Office of Historic Preservation recommended the demolition be delayed 45 days, but a lack of a public hearing means it will be tore down
On social media, locals reacted with anger after word got out about the demolition.
One person said: ‘So sad to see these beautiful stately homes being torn down to make way for more modern styles that no one will even care about 96 years from now like we still do appreciating these beautiful Tudor style homes architecture to this day.’
Another added: ‘The replacement house looks gross. It looks nothing like the original. More like a campy 1980s medieval theme restaurant designed by an architect who stood a block away from the current house and drafted the plans while wearing Vaseline-smeared glasses.
‘Either that or Temu is selling home plans now. I have seen homes in worse shape than this house supposedly is saved from the wrecking ball. This is disgusting.’
Another posted: ‘Could really ruin your day, every day, if you live next door or across the street and will have to look at a newbuild eyesore you didn’t expect to move in.’
The homeowners acknowledged the consternation but stood by the decision.
‘The reason we bought the house is because of the aesthetic. We love where we live,’ Andrea said.
‘We love the look of that neighborhood. I totally understand the ruffled feathers. Our intent was, I guess, restoration—rebuild.
Locals reacted with anger at the thought of the nearly century old home being torn down
‘We are taking the design from the inside and reapplying it to the new house, the same Gothic archways, and the big, big beautiful beams, which are actually going to be saved from the current house and used again.’
Developers of their new home hope to have it razed to the ground within two months, with construction expected to last for over a year.
The Daily Mail has reached out to the Kansas City City Plan Commission for comment.
