Steve Jobs' Jackling mansion nightmare still not over

[AppleInsider]

Despite having received the go-ahead to demolish an aging mansion he owns in the hills of Woodside, California, Apple’s chief executive Steve Jobs has been called back to court again to fulfill the requirements of a 2006 court order.

A group of preservationists – Uphold Our Heritage – who oppose the razing of the Spanish Colonial Revival home, dubbed the Jackling House, submitted that Jobs has failed to comply with a 2006 court order to define the benefits of the demolition, as well as proving that other alternatives had been researched.

Just last month, it was reported that Steve Jobs was cleared for the second time to move forward with a decade-long initiative to tear down the 17,250-square-foot mansion following a vote of 6 to 1 in his favor during a local council meeting.

The proposed demolition of the mansion, located in California's Woodside hills, is subject to a final town council vote on the demolition permit scheduled for June 23. This final vote had been postponed because permit paperwork had not been ready.

According to Howard Ellman, a lawyer representing Jobs, it’s “impossible to tell at this time” if the permit will be delayed by Uphold our Heritage’s filing. The town’s lawyers have advised that the vote still take place despite the preservationist group’s filing, though Doug Carstens, a laywer representing Uphold Our Heritage says, “The proper thing to do is make sure the judge is satisfied before they think of demolishing anything.”

Last year, Jobs submitted a revised permit application to the council showing it would cost approximately $5 million more to restore sprawling mansion built in 1929 for copper mining mogul Daniel Jackling than it would to raze it and construct a smaller home for his family. The home features wrought iron detailing, exposed wood beam ceilings, and colorful accent tiling (photos).

Jobs purchased the blown-out mansion in the early 1980s and lived there -- sometimes eating his evening meals on the floor -- for about 10 years before renting it out and then leaving it to deteriorate.

[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]

[CREB]

It is such a terrible representation of the architectural style these preservationist seem to want to hold onto. Maybe Jobs will get lucky and a meteor will take it out saving on his demolition costs.

[BuzDots]

Nothing five gallons of gas and a match wouldn't cure!

[teckstud]

See what happens when you leave out firewire on a MacBook?

[bloggerblog]

it's jinxed, sell it.

[aduzik]

I can't be the only one who finds these stories about Steve Jobs' mansion woes endlessly amusing.

[Quadra 610]

It's a dump. I bet a lot of it is not only no longer up to code, but also dangerous to any occupants.

I'm all for preserving beautiful things of our past (like Pompeii, the Sistine Chapel frescoes, etc.), but this eyesore needs to go.

[Donathius]

I'm with BuzDots. Just find an arsonist to do the job.

[teckstud]

Originally Posted by Donathius

I'm with BuzDots. Just find an arsonist to do the job.

Better yet- throw a Vista burning party like the old disco record flame out!

[Dr Millmoss]

Originally Posted by CREB

It is such a terrible representation of the architectural style these preservationist seem to want to hold onto.

Really? Are you an expert on these matters? Do you have any knowledge about them whatsoever?

One substantial inaccuracy in the posted story: The house was not "blown out" when Steve Jobs bought it. It only became "blown out" after he abandoned it.

[iCarbon]

Seems like a great opportunity is coming up -- with permission from the town council, he should just tear it down.

it is always better to ask forgiveness than permission.

[Dr Millmoss]

Originally Posted by iCarbon

Seems like a great opportunity is coming up -- with permission from the town council, he should just tear it down.

it is always better to ask forgiveness than permission.

Now, there's some really dumb advice.

[wraithofwonder]

Does Apple still have some of those defective MacBook batteries?

I'm sure plenty of folks keep their laptop running around their gas collection...

Oops.

[Virgil-TB2]

Originally Posted by teckstud

See what happens when you leave out firewire on a MacBook?

This doesn't make much sense considering they already put it back.

[Virgil-TB2]

Originally Posted by iCarbon

... it is always better to ask forgiveness than permission.

yeah, if you're twelve maybe.

[wraithofwonder]

Originally Posted by Dr Millmoss

Really? Are you an expert on these matters? Do you have any knowledge about them whatsoever?

One substantial inaccuracy in the posted story: The house was not "blown out" when Steve Jobs bought it. It only became "blown out" after he abandoned it.

So what? It's his house and not the pyramids of Giza. No tight-pants club should have any say in the matter.

[Dr Millmoss]

Originally Posted by wraithofwonder

So what? It's his house and not the pyramids of Giza. No there but for the grace of God go I club should have any say in the matter.

Got any relevant comments?

[wraithofwonder]

Originally Posted by Dr Millmoss

Got any relevant comments?

It being his house isn't relevant to you?

No wonder you don't understand. You think because its old that it somehow automatically becomes yours, becomes the community's. My God man, understanding is beyond you!

[Dr Millmoss]

Originally Posted by wraithofwonder

It being his house isn't relevant to you?

No wonder you don't understand. You think because its old that it somehow automatically becomes yours, becomes the community's. My God man, understanding is beyond you!

You're joking, right? Please tell me you are joking.

[MacTripper]

Well I might be seen as the devils advocate here...

...but restored this house would be worth quite a bit of money. Most likely could be among one of the most expensive houses in the country.



Take a look at the facts and these links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_...ith_(architect)

http://www.luxist.com/2006/02/14/mon...te-of-the-day/

http://www.architect.com/Publish/GWS.html

http://www.sothebyshomes.com/socal/sales/0112960

http://www.sbestatehomes.com/listings/755eb.shtml

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Cowan_Jackling

http://www.friendsofthejacklinghouse.org/gallery.html


Also a clever person could easily Google Earth for Woodside City CA and find the Jackling House and move in for a 3D view.

The grounds are huge, there is a huge pool, gardens etc.

Worth more as a historic house, just needs the right person to bring back it's old charm like the other houses.

Steve Jobs is a techie, glass and metal is his cup of tea.

Steve should just sell it cheap and let someone else renovate it. Why bother with it now in his life is really a waste of time and a treasure could be lost.

But he got approval, he can bulldoze it if he wants too.

[teckstud]

Originally Posted by Virgil-TB2

This doesn't make much sense considering they already put it back.

See what happens when you don't get an automatic iPhone upgrade year after year under a 2year contract?

[wraithofwonder]

Originally Posted by Dr Millmoss

You're joking, right? Please tell me you are joking.

I was about to ask you the same question, in case you came back with some sort of defense of the idea behind historical preservation, what I take this as.

It is his property and for the most part, he should be able to do as he pleases with it.

[wraithofwonder]

Originally Posted by MacTripper

Steve should just sell it cheap and let someone else renovate it. .

Maybe he likes the area?

I have an uncle who hates his house, absolutely hates his house, but he doesn't have the money to build something in its place or do any real remodeling. Not far from him there are nice new homes twice the size of his house that he can afford.

Problem is, he loves the area. Always has.

Anyone think Jobs might be the same way?

[Dr Millmoss]

Originally Posted by MacTripper

Well I might be seen as the devils advocate here...

...but restored this house would be worth quite a bit of money. Most likely could be among one of the most expensive houses in the country.

As I've pointed out in the other threads on this topic, a house by George Washington Smith is worth a premium. The significance of the house is not based on whether Steve, or someone on these boards, likes it. Its amusing in a sad sort of way that so many are prepared to defend Steve's architectural vandalism because, well, you know, it's Steve -- and he could never be a Philistine, or an arrogant jerk.

[MissionGrey]

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&sour...01207&t=h&z=20

[Dr Millmoss]

Originally Posted by wraithofwonder

I was about to ask you the same question, in case you came back with some sort of defense of the idea behind historical preservation, what I take this as.

It is his property and for the most part, he should be able to do as he pleases with it.

Ah, so you are one of those people who believes that all land use and environmental regulations are immoral?

[emulator]

wonder how these apple boards would react if say the ape dancer Ballmer wanted to do something similar. double standards ftw, eh?

[Booga]

Originally Posted by Dr Millmoss

As I've pointed out in the other threads on this topic, a house by George Washington Smith is worth a premium. The significance of the house is not based on whether Steve, or someone on these boards, likes it. Its amusing in a sad sort of way that so many are prepared to defend Steve's architectural vandalism because, well, you know, it's Steve -- and he could never be a Philistine, or an arrogant jerk.

So get some investors and make Jobs an offer already! It would put a nail in the "more expensive to renovate" argument and likely kill the demolition permit. Otherwise, butt out of his life.

[wraithofwonder]

Originally Posted by Dr Millmoss

As I've pointed out in the other threads on this topic, a house by George Washington Smith is worth a premium. The significance of the house is not based on whether Steve, or someone on these boards, likes it. Its amusing in a sad sort of way that so many are prepared to defend Steve's architectural vandalism because, well, you know, it's Steve -- and he could never be a Philistine, or an arrogant jerk.

Architectural vandalism is the name you give his wanting to build a new home for his family, on his property because it will knock down a house that you get off to.

You're being selfish, as is this historical society in his way, not he. That it being his is not a factor to you or they should say a lot to the folks here.

[wraithofwonder]

Originally Posted by Dr Millmoss

Ah, so you are one of those people who believes that all land use and environmental regulations are immoral?

No, and I am insulted that you would try to paint me this way.

There is a significant difference between:
1. I'm knocking down this piece of crap house and building something modern for my family.
and
2. I am dumping this oil into my creek because I like how it shimmers in the sunlight, forget that it kills everything downstream.

[wraithofwonder]

Originally Posted by Booga

So get some investors and make Jobs an offer already! It would put a nail in the "more expensive to renovate" argument and likely kill the demolition permit. Otherwise, butt out of his life.

Exactly, although Jobs should have every right to refuse.

[wraithofwonder]

Originally Posted by emulator

wonder how these apple boards would react if say the ape dancer Ballmer wanted to do something similar. double standards ftw, eh?

Doesn't matter to me one bit that it is Jobs.

When it comes to things that have withstood the test of time for a thousand years or more, I'm all for governments spending whatever necessary to preserve them and putting the legal framework in place with that aim.

But when it comes to something obscure built in the last one or two hundred years that the owner wants to wipe out, I'm all for his right to do it.

Take a picture and move on. It's about looking forward - it's about progress!

If someone admires a particular architectural style, they should recreate it in their own backyard - not force it upon their neighbor.

[codachrome]

Originally Posted by MissionGrey

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&sour...01207&t=h&z=20

Wow, has anyone looked at the other houses around this one? Someone has their own private baseball diamond. Another person has their own private par 3 golf hole. Lots of swimming pools and tennis courts also. Boy, that's some neighborhood.

[FuturePastNow]

Nightmare? My heart bleeds for billionaires and their troubles.

[wraithofwonder]

Originally Posted by FuturePastNow

Nightmare? My heart bleeds for billionaires and their troubles.

True, I'd trade my own troubles for his in this regard any day.

[ncee]

Sometimes it's not worth the trouble.

There HAS to be a great spot he could built a new home, that he won't have to deal with this bullshiet!

It's not that he'll be giving in, it's just that sometimes it's time to get on. I think we would all agree, he has more then enough on his mind, to not have to deal with this!

I'd love to think it's not "I'm Steve Jobs" and damn it, this is what I want, and I'm not backing down or giving up! It is after-all, just a piece of land … go get another chuck somewhere else?

Hell, sell it to the folks that want to preserve it, for say … $2.5 million dollars. When they can't write the check, say "Oh well, I gave you a chance"!

Skip

[Dr Millmoss]

Originally Posted by wraithofwonder

No, and I am insulted that you would try to paint me this way.

There is a significant difference between:
1. I'm knocking down this piece of crap house and building something modern for my family.
and
2. I am dumping this oil into my creek because I like how it shimmers in the sunlight, forget that it kills everything downstream.

Oh, I see. If you personally approve of the regulation, it's okay. Otherwise it isn't. And naturally you get to decide this for every state and local government. Get back to me when you are God.

[wraithofwonder]

Originally Posted by Dr Millmoss

Oh, I see. If you personally approve of the regulation, it's okay. Otherwise it isn't. And naturally you get to decide this for every state and local government. Get back to me when you are God.

How does your response make the least bit of sense or are you so blind with rage that I, and most of us here, don't give a crap about the architectural style George Washington Smith preferred that you don't see that you're making no sense? Or are you beginning to agree and is that scaring you?

Even the least educated man could upon a glance understand that what I was communicating is that one should be able to do as they wish with their property so long as they are not harming the property of another. That would be a violation of another's property rights!

Why would you have it any other way?

[Dr Millmoss]

Originally Posted by ncee

Hell, sell it to the folks that want to preserve it, for say … $2.5 million dollars. When they can't write the check, say "Oh well, I gave you a chance"!

The huge irony is that if he hadn't deliberately allowed the house to fall into ruin, it would be worth far, far more than $2.5 million to a whole lot of people. Even in its current state it would be. Houses by George Washington Smith are rare and desirable. They sell for premiums. It was never an issue of whether anyone else would have wanted the property. Jobs never offered it for sale.

[Dr Millmoss]

Originally Posted by wraithofwonder

How does your response make the least bit of sense or are you so blind with rage that I don't give a crap about the architectural style George Washington Smith preferred that you don't see that you're making no sense?

Even the least educated man could upon a glance understand that what I was communicating is that one should be able to do as they wish with their property so long as they are not harming the property of another.

Why would you have it any other way?

Just answer the question. It's a simple one.