The New York Times, Real Estate, Section, Issue March 22, 1987

Modular Mansion

            Most modular houses are simple, predesigned structures kept under 2500 square feet for easy shipment and assembly.  But the modular home planned for Mamaroneck, NY is shattering that stereotype with an elaborate French-provincial design and 5700 square feet of space.

            ‘This just proves that modular construction can also apply to large-scale homes,” said Russell Anderson, president of Tannon Development Corporation of White Plains. “For all intents and purposes, you can’t tell the difference between this and stick-built home.”

            Much of the work on the five –bedroom house, such as the hip roof, hardwood floors, cedar siding and three fireplaces, will be done after the nine components have been put together on the ¾-acre site. The house is being built for $425,000 for Thomas Fleming, a tax accountant from New Rochelle, NY. Completion is scheduled for July.

Douglas Cutler, an architect from Ossining, NY, did the design within the limitations of the factory-made houses, while Avis Homes of Avis, PA will begin manufacturing the modules in a few weeks. Mr. Anderson said he was able to reduce the cost per square foot from $120 to $75 by taking the modular rather than stick-built route.  The two-story house, on Fenbrook Drive off of Fenimore Road, will have four and a-half baths, a three-car garage, portico, sweeping staircase and a two-story entrance hall with mezzanine.