$234,300 will buy you the ultimate playhouse
Swings, slides, stage, bridges — what more could a kid want? In other playhouse news, grandma in Georgia can keep pink structure.
You perhaps are not in the market for a playhouse that costs more than I spent for my first, second, third — well, any house I have bought in the past 30 years (unless you want to count the renovations on that last one).
Then again, none of my houses had a theater stage, lower-level maze (or even a lower level), bridges, swings, slides or climbing bars. You get what you pay for.
The $234,300 Castle Dragon is the ultimate kids’ custom fantasy structure – 790 square feet of redwood painted in bright colors.
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We were alerted to this extreme playhouse by a Wall Street Journal slide show called "The Fully Loaded Mini Mansion," which showcased several fancy kids’ playhouses.
If your budget can’t accommodate the Castle Dragon, you can get a 244-square-foot Victorian with a wrap-around porch, media room and custom hardwood furniture for about $50,000.
The Castle Dragon was created by San Francisco builder Barbara Butler, who has been constructing custom playhouses, tree houses and forts for more than 25 years. Most cost considerably less than $234,300, installed.
She started out building custom decks but got into the playhouse business when a client asked for a custom structure for his kids. She has designed and built for a number of celebrity clients.
According to an article last year in The New York Times, the recession has not dimmed the demand for elaborate kids’ playhouses. "Childhood is a precious and finite thing," Butler told The Times. "And a special playhouse is not the sort of thing you can put off until the economy gets better."
Speaking of playhouses: You might need to check with your homeowners association or your city before you construct one, especially if you plan to use unusual colors.
However, a homeowner in suburban Atlanta did finally get the right to keep her granddaughter’s pink playhouse. Her homeowners association has dropped its suit objecting to the color.
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Its their money, and that product gave someone some work. Lumber,
nails, paint, what ever funishing was put in it. The real problem
here isnt even the playhouse its the bully tactic of the HOA's.
HOA's are bunch of busy bodies who like to push people around.
Story after story of grass nazi's, paint color, bush placements,
the war against a flag flown are just a few examples.
When I look for a home that is the first thing I ask is if there is
an HOA if there is, I move on.. HOA wants to make mortgage
payments then they can tell them what I can do with peoples
property otherwise unless there is a safety problem they can just
stick it....
cal684.... your the fking a$$hole! feed poor people? you ignorant moocher! It's their money, it's their family. They can do whatever they want with it. You are a racist against success! You don't know these people.... they went to school and worked really hard, looks like have a job that they work really hard at, they have a family they love, they look kind, warm hearted people who probably donate to charities and help others. You jealous Fking rich hater. Anyone rich with love, hard work and success infuriates you. You take the time to write a post against them.... you are the scum! you are the one that talks like a real dumb a$$!
About Teresa Mears
Teresa Mears is a veteran journalist who has been interested in houses since her father took her to tax auctions to carry the cash at age 10. A former editor of The Miami Herald's Home & Design section, she lives in South Florida where, in addition to writing about real estate, she publishes Miami on the Cheap to help her neighbors adjust to the loss of 60% of their property value.
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