> Sure, it's prettier than the Soviet blocks, but that's all they've got going for them.
That's not true, the big thing they offer is lively streets.
First by providing the necessity density (houses in the backyards) and usually come with a commercial space in the ground floor that can be used for a shop, a bar or restaurant.
You simply don't find those with new developments, or rather it's the exception then the rule.
I guess it's easier to sell a house with a big garage in the ground floor than a bar, but in the end that just leaves the street dead.
That's strange that new development wouldn't have commercial ground floor space, even more so if the torn down building had it. Everywhere in the USA that has urban gentrification strongly encourages retail on the first floor and apartments/condos on top. It's a huge attraction to residents above as well. Worse case, cities could mandate it.
Newer developments will have commercial spaces on the ground floor, but a problem is that rents are generally higher, so it limits the types of shops that open up there.
In San Francisco, I've talked to the owners of a few bikeshops, and they have good relationships with their landlords. The landlords are willing charge less rent because they feel the neighborhood needs certain types of shop. A commercial developer may not share these same ideals.
That's not true, the big thing they offer is lively streets. First by providing the necessity density (houses in the backyards) and usually come with a commercial space in the ground floor that can be used for a shop, a bar or restaurant.
You simply don't find those with new developments, or rather it's the exception then the rule.
I guess it's easier to sell a house with a big garage in the ground floor than a bar, but in the end that just leaves the street dead.