Swing House Abuilding

By Reno Bailey

Looking toward the northeast at the house at 32 North Main. It’s the first new home to be started in old Cliffside in many decades.

Since the ground breaking on September 8th, Janice and Marc Swing’s new house at 32 North Main Street is taking shape. It’s the beginning of Phase I (the “Main Street” phase) of their “Village of Cliffside” project that will eventually include many more homes on the acres along both sides of North Main.

Their intentions are for a “new traditional neighborhood on the footprints of the past.”

This first phase will encompass the north end of Old Main Street, old 5th Avenue, parts of old Reservoir Street and old Poplar Street.

Initially, 25 homesites have been surveyed as closely as possible to the original Cliffside homesites. Greenspaces or common areas are integrated throughout the neighborhood.

Although unfinished, the home has already had a Christmas tree. Actually the tree was one of about 40 that were lighted and decorated along Old Main Street for the holidays.

Houseplans have been redeveloped to mimic the exteriors of original “Cliffside Main Street” architecture. The spacious and modern interiors hold little resemblance to that earlier time.

Homes will range in size from 1200 to 2500 sq. ft. A combination of maintenance free materials such as Hardiplank®, brick, stone, and steel roofing are recommended for exteriors. All homes will have eight-foot-wide front “sittin’” porches, and all homes will have some brick from the old mill incorporated into the exteriors.

An organized homeowners association will govern such covenants and restrictions as to protect the historical integrity of the community and oversee the maintenance of grounds. Phase I: Main Street is offered in home packages, including lot, starting in the $160s. Will you be needing one, or two?

We were there on November 17 [2005] when the foundation was complete and framing was well underway, and took several photos that we’ve included in a little gallery. Sometime in early December the roofing was done and the house enclosed.

Photos above by Janice Bridges Swing.