Artist drawing of "Villa Rich"
Well I had gotten an email a few days ago telling me that John Rich's huge house was being built on Love Circle in Nashville and still had fence around it and re-bar sticking up. Then today I got an email with a link to this story which is from May 2, 2008 (after Googling, John's actually been pissing his future neighbors off since the middle of 2007).
Interesting. How long exactly does it take to build an 11,000 square foot house?
Anyway, the story is about the fact that John Rich's house, called Villa Rich in the story, has been controversial since the plans came to light a couple of years ago. Apparently it's been controversial enough that the local government went so far as to change laws so that they wouldn't have to deal with the same problem again.
So what's the problem. Well apparently John's house is not just massive, it's massively tall - 73 feet to be exact. And while an 11,000 sq foot, 73-foot-tall house in Beverly Hills may fit right in, in Love Circle it drawfs its neighbors and stands out like a sore thumb.
Worse than that, it blocks the view to the city park.
According to city code, John has actually done nothing wrong. The city code stated only that a house could be no taller than three stories, but failed to state how tall a story actually was. Most people consider something around 10 feet a story, if this were true then John's house should be seven stories, but it's not, it's only three stories.
Those have got to be some high-ass ceilings.
“The role of the codes dept. is to review the plans and compare to what the codes are and if they are in compliance then it is to issue the permit. there were issues. They went back and made some re-drawings, they came back, it was in compliance and the permits were issued based on that. Of course there were other reviews by government agencies, but they were within their rights to build this house the way they are building it. bottom line, if it is in compliance, based on the laws, passed by metro council, then it is our responsibility and our duty to issue that.”
Seems John's pretty good at controversy, even when just trying to build himself a new abode. I can't actually find where the city changed its building codes - this is just what I was told - but I imagine they've probably went back and added a definite number to what a story can be so they wont have this same problem again. I have a couple of people who are actively trying to get some pictures for me of John's ongoing building site, so hopefully soon we'll have pictures of what seems to be a mess. I'm just curious if it's all the red tape that's kept the house from being finished.
The funny thing is: He has a sign out front of his house that says "Violators will be shot! Protected by the second Ammendment!" He spelled Amendment wrong. Learn how to spell english you stupid Redneck! Especially if your making a sign to put in front of your house! Now its just a sign to show how Dumb you really are!
Posted by: Julie Istvan | April 23, 2010 at 05:37 PM
from what i hear its done and finished. Hope no one falls off the roof LOL Eh i could care less, i've begun to loose interest in JR and his antics. Good luck and Good night
Posted by: Angel | December 08, 2009 at 08:47 AM
The article states that the house is only three stories... This is not true, I have been in the house and it is around seven stories, each about ten feet tall, not including the basement floor.
Posted by: Dillon | August 14, 2009 at 02:02 AM
Ironically, this is the sort of thing that rightly encourages more restrictive zoning laws. Mr. Rich did everything he was supposed to do, but everyone else who thinks this looks like it came our of an eastern block country or is the base for a villain in an anime movie is going to suffer for it. And because of that, there will be tougher regulations put in place to prevent someone from building something quite so large that is an aberration from the aesthetic of the area.
Posted by: Jody | August 06, 2009 at 11:28 AM
John got the building permit to build it and that's his right. If the city had a problem then they should have voiced it earlier before he started building his home. I have to say it's not the house I would want to build if I had the money he does but, it's his choice.
Posted by: Sue | February 10, 2009 at 07:25 PM
I saw the cranes towering over this area last time I was in Nashville. This thing is a complete eye sore and John Rich should be drawn and quartered for building it.
Posted by: smokeyjoe | January 08, 2009 at 07:26 PM