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Meet the Tudors of East Avenue, Rochester NY

One of the most popular architectural styles for large homes in upstate NY is Tudor or Tudor Revival, also known as Medieval Revival. This page contains some lovely examples.

Rochester Tudors are large and lovable

Notice the beautiful conservatory attached to the left side of this generally symetrical mansion.

These classic homes are immediately recognizable: half-timber embellishments; stone, stucco, or brick walls; giant, interesting chimneys; steep roofs and intersecting gables; tall, narrow, mullioined windows; and sheltered entrances. You should get one for yourself!

For the Tudors, big is beautiful!

This one displays an eclectic mixture of materials: slate roof, lots of red brick, masonary openings and trims, and one very strange two-story bay on the right side.

Today's interpretation of Tudor architecture

by Sue Osgood

Today's interpretation of Tudor architecture might best be expressed as a copy of a copy. This style derives from building methods commonly used during the reign of Britain's Tudor monarchs (1485 to 1603) and, as is the case with many historical styles, is not compatible with today's building methods. These days, the well-known "black-and-white" of authentic half-timbered Tudor buildings is often an add-on to an otherwise unremarkable modern facade.

Understanding the origin of the half-timbered Tudor style requires a look at British building after the Middle Ages. ...read more

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A more modern Tudor Revival

Elements of Gothic style enter the mix for this rambling house. The left-side porch and right-side carport look like much later additions. What do you think of the center gable detail, above the three second-floor windows? How about that tiny little grilled window, on the right corner? How many stone chimneys do you count?

Blended elements make an elegant Tudor

Circles, squares, arches, and stacked dormers take this tasty Tudor into the realm of Victorian design. I'm not thrilled with the centered square frame between the second floor windows, right side. Add in the Gothic stone on the first floor, and this house almost fails to qualify as Tudor. Still, it's lovely in its own way, I think.

Finding East Ave in Rochester

Want to see more home styles for East Ave?

Visit Stately Mansions of East Avenue, Rochester NY to see a larger variety of styles from this neighborhood

A fancy gable, big bay, and soft stone arch make this Tudor a real classic

The stonework is immaculate, and the half-timbers are understated. The off-center window division adds to the perceived height of this mansion. I like the right-side portico,too. What's not to love? It's gorgeous!

Your opinion matters!

How do you feel about Tudor design elements?
It's a lovely and elegant style
Seems a bit old-fashioned to me
Some I like, some I don't
I wouldn't be caught dead in a Tudor, sorry
What??

Symmetry works for Tudors, too

Most Tudors use asymmetry. The designer of this house chose a perfect balance, instead. Notice the interesting dormers, and the fact that even the downspouts are part of the symmetry.

White makes right: stucco with timbers, that is

Most of the attention to detail was spent on that right-hand gable section. Notice the flower box mounted on heavy corbels, below the second-floor window. This home blends simplicity with careful ornamentation for an understated dignity. Notice the brick to waist-height, mostly hidden by shrubbery?

Zone Manager

Helium member since Aug 20, 07
Company:
D'Zyne Construction
Title:
Owner
Education:
Finger Lakes Community...AAS Business Administration
Number of Zones: 9

Comments (1 to 10 of 14)

Jim Bessey
Aug 05, 09 at 02:11 AM
Thanks for visiting Raymond and Glory. I'd say "elegant" sums up these homes and the surrounding neighborhood quite nicely. Most of these are still single-family homes, though a couple of them discretely house businesses. Haven't seen a single For Sale sign there lately. I have a feeling that when one wishes to sell one's handsome Tudor mansion, one merely telephone's one's Realtor to alert the next buyer on a list somewhere.
Glory Lennon
Aug 03, 09 at 06:09 PM
Only one question, Jim. Are any of them for sale? I love them all!
Raymond Alexander Kukkee
Jul 26, 09 at 03:45 PM
Great site and wonderful pics, Jim! These homes are fine reminders of older, somehow more elegant times.
Jim Bessey
Jul 06, 09 at 01:29 AM
You are so right, John! Each of these homes borrows only the elements its designer chose to incorporate. I have at least a dozen more examples, but don't believe that any of those others match your list, either. These are rightly called Tudor Revival, in that they are shallow imitators of the originals. I'm sure their interiors look much the same as many others you'd see in modern Home Interiors magazines, though there may be one or two that reflect a more historical context. One thing I'm sure of: you won't find any thatched roofs in upstate NY -- we get too much snow and the upkeep is too high. Thanks so much for dropping by, John!
John Welford
Jul 01, 09 at 08:24 AM
I find it interesting that none of your examples have incorporated the full panoply of Tudor features - black-and-white, overhanging upper storey, intricate chimney stacks AND pots, etc. I would also be interested to know if the internal features of any of these match the outside - I am talking here about exposed wooden pillars and beams cut by hand, medieval joinery, etc. Also, I note that no9ne of these examples has a thatched roof. They only make a feeble attempt to look old - I'll bet there isn't a single hand-made brick in any of them! Come to England and appreciate what REAL Tudor is like! We have a friend who lives in a 500-year-old cottage that is the genuine article. You couldn't build like that today, because the Building Regs wouldn't let you, but nothing beats uneven wooden floors, spiral stairs with three-inch treads, open fireplaces with inglenooks,and solid oak doors made from timber that was growing when William the Conqueror landed, to give you the real deal!
Beth Anderle
Jun 17, 09 at 01:42 AM
Very lovely Jim! I grew up in New England and we had a number of these. There are even a couple in Wisconsin where I live now! I really enjoyed this site!
Jim Bessey
Jun 17, 09 at 12:15 AM
Thanks to all of you for visiting: Leigh, Carlie, Kathleen, Lori and Olivia. I love houses (duh!) and love taking pics, tho I'm no pro by any means. Both Mansions zones have been great fun. I've learned a LOT about architecture, too, from composing these pages. For Lori, I'm sure there's a big ol' dance floor or two among these. And to Olivia -- what a cool story-starter idea!
Olivia Bredbenner
Jun 13, 09 at 10:16 PM
Jim, I sometimes play a game called "buy me this house" I find that some homes trigger a thought for a story about the kind of people and personalities that might be living in the house.. perhaps in the Tudor with the three windows. :) Nice site Olivia
Lori Buttermark
Jun 13, 09 at 06:34 PM
Gr8 architecture, Jim. I love the mansion / perfect setting for an Haunted House Sequal:) By the way, do any of the houses render a huge dance floor for me to practice? Continued success in your zones:))
Kathleen Richardson
Jun 11, 09 at 06:58 PM
Jim ~ Another well-done Bessey Zone on homes in Rochester. I appreciate that your descriptions come from an expert viewpoint. Keep writing.
Journalist: Jim Bessey
Company: D'Zyne Construction
Title: Owner
Education: Finger Lakes Community... AAS Business Administration
Helium member since Aug 20, 07
Number of Zones: 9

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Gothic style Tudor cottage is very inviting

I love the two tiny windows to the left of the Old World-style doorway. The stonework is delightful. Look at that perfect slate roof! Okay, it's big for a "cottage," but this design feels warm and homey. Won't you come in?

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A bit of gingerbread adorns this European-styled Tudor

The diamond-paned windows are unusual for this area, more common in French designs. The entrance, however, looks downright Pueblo! How do you like the carved gable trim boards, along with the small tweak in that same gable's downslope? Maybe more Swiss than French? Or just plain over-the-top. Either way, I still like it.

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Copyright notice

Photographs by Jim Bessey, March 2009

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Want to reprint a picture from this site? Please do: just add photo credit and a link to this web page. Thanks, ~Jim
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