a transformation so complete that the "old dog" is gone

  
         the old dog - on its last legs       

A previous owner had gutted this house and then decided to sell it "as is" - a single story, hodgepodge of four distinct building periods.  (See bottom photo)  It was a "tear-down" if only the footprint had not been grand-fathered under local zoning.

Given that limitation, we, the new owners (architect & wife), elected to completely re-design the house to create flowing spaces inside and really big views of the river. 

We kept the first floor footprint in tact, but replaced the jumble of roofs with a new unifying, steep roofed second story, that has large gables overlooking the river.

We split the original waterside wing into two pieces, to provide ourselves with a waterfront porch and a river-oriented living room.  We gave the Living Room giant windows, and a new curved fireplace. We added a stair, also curved, that climbs over the original basement stair to give access to the second floor. 

Overall, our strategy has given the old dog, a happy new life.  And, as we had hoped, it is still fully compatible with the neighbors.