Conn. home 20-times larger than average
By DAVE COLLINS, Associated Press Writer Sat Sep 1, 4:51 AM ET

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. - The enormity of the house Arnold Chase is building on Avon Mountain isn't fully apparent from the outside, where only 17,000 square feet of it lies in plain view.

It's the two-level, 33,500-square-foot basement complex, complete with a 103-seat movie theater, ticket booth, concession stand, game room and music annex, that will make it New England's largest occupied single-family home.

At nearly 50,900 square feet, the Chase home will be slightly larger than billionaire Bill Gates' home in Washington, about 4,000 square feet smaller than the White House and 20 times larger than the average-size home in America.

The average U.S. home measures about 2,500 square feet — up from 1,995 square feet in 1988 — according to the National Association of Home Builders. But while houses are getting bigger, rarely are they built as big as the new Chase house.

"What you're talking about is mega homes," said Gopal Ahluwalia, the home builders association's vice president for research. "There are few homes larger than 50,000 square feet."

The brick and stucco colonial can be seen easily from the road. But the Hartford-based businessman, who plans to vacate a comparatively tiny 8,900-square-foot home when he moves, doesn't want too many people to know about it. He refused an interview and had a freelance photographer seeking permission to photograph the house for The Associated Press cited for trespassing.

more at: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070901/ap_on_re_us/mammoth_mansion

eyesore... But I bet he splurged on those Pella's

Oh I'm glad only 17,000 sqft is visible. What a mensch.

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Thats more my speed, a home fitting my ego! Although I have to say I'm sure that I would prefer Biltmore.

I wonder what taxes are going to be! Bet they are $500k a year.

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That looks unimpressive. It's like a big barn.

He would be silly to own it personally. I am sure a "corporation" owns it which would amount to $3.75 a year.

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That is idiotic. As Botnst mentioned in another thread earlier today, we need to bring back embarrassment as an important force in society.

Why? If he can afford it why not? Who the heck cares if there are people with less. There are always poor people in the world, its not his fualt or problem.

He is creating a lot of jobs building that house, and a lot of people will be making money taking care of it.

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2007 Tiara 3200

That's not what I was talking about, but now that you mention it, yes it is his problem. It's everyone's problem.

The house is idiotic because it is wasteful.

I don't know what kind of person would find satisfaction in such opulence, but that's just my personal opinion, which is no better or worse than his opinion. It is the waste of resources and the impact on the environment that makes this house idiotic. It's selfish.So? He could create just as many jobs by paying people to dig holes in the ground then fill them back up with the dirt they dug out. Does that mean that it's a productive use of wealth?

Hmm.......selfish........no.........we haven't seen much of that lately in America..........or on this board for that matter..........

Agreed 100%.

Don't get me wrong, I like it when people get rich. It is good for the economy --ever heard of an economy improving and society advancing because people strived to get poor?

But this crap gives accomplishment a bad name.

This guy really knows how to lay low!

Tom W

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=16919701&BRD=1646&PAG=461&dept_id=11035&rfi=6

So at what point does it become wasteful? Certainly his 8,900sf home is much larger than he needs. Certainly we don't need to drive expensive wasteful luxury cars either.

To the victor goes the spoils, thats what makes capitalism great.

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That's another good question and I sure don't have an easy answer.

It's the Potter Stewart opinion concerning pornography: Can't define, know it when I see it.

How about this for a generalization: Because you can; must you?

B

No, but its his money to spend. He can do whatever he pleases with it until he ends up in the ground like the rest of us. He can be a do gooder and give every penny away until he is broke; or he can spend some on toys.

To the victor goes the spoils, I make no judgements about this home. Good for him.

Everything is realitive. To someone near broke and working min wage, at a burger place...you pull up in an S class and you are a wastefull SOB...always screwing the working man. But that S class owner, can say the same thing about a number of people...because there is always a bigger fish in the pond.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200