Attachment 5 - Project DescriptionMinor Development in Historic District Description 145 Tait Avenue Page 1
Beckstrom Architecture+ Interiors
PO Box 1317, Los Gatos, CA 94030
650 847-8351
Eric@BeckstromArchitecture.com
July 14, 2024
145 Tait Avenue
Project Description
The recent owners of 145 Tait Avenue want to breathe life into this house which was partly remodeled in
1996. This simple yet charming, 1920 house was used as a storage locker since 1996 as the previous
owners did not live in it all those years. They added the back addition: partially 2-story and 1-story garage
facing the alley.
This house lot is less built up than the majority of the lots. Most houses have additions of all varieties and a
plethora of ADUs and garage facing the alley.
Tait, Massol and Wilder Avenues have back alleys with a high density and wide variety of secondary dwelling
sizes and apartments. This neighborhood has evolved much since 1888 which is right after they totally clear
cut enormous redwood forest with trees up to 2000 years old! Just like the railroad almost extinguished the
buffalo, the railroad allowed wholesale clearing of every tree in the region in 10-20 years. When this house
was built all the hills were covered with grass instead of 200-300’ tall Redwoods. Some people became
extremely wealthy tapping into this 2000-year old reserve of the best lumber in the world.
Los Gatos literally sits on the long gone, decaying stumps of gigantic redwoods that were here just 10-15
years before these streets were laid out in 1880. Context is always helpful when looking at Urban Design and
a city’s evolution.
The Project
145 Tait was originally a simple 28’ x 53’ single story rectangle with a covered front porch and Kitchen gable
on one side. The front porch is approximately 18.5’ from the sidewalk and front property line. Some of the
other houses nearby have similar forms and a few brackets, yet most have morphed very much since first
built. The house is situated to the left side of the large lot which creates a large side yard for the future
owners to enjoy. They will build a front picket fence in similar character to the other neighbors to keep in
their dogs and provide separation.
They will fill in 2’ of the Family Rm area behind the Kitchen Bay as the rooms are fairly narrow. This will
connect to the side yard and breathe life and light into the house which it desperately needs.
The 1996 second floor will be adjusted to have the gable go through from right to left. As can be seen from
the photos the back/left side looks like someone forgot to finish designing/building the addition as it looks
wonky (which is more typical than people realize…it just happens). A 12’ long Primary Bedroom addition will
be built in some of the existing Garage Attic storage space. The new roof designs hopefully make the back
look better with a small gable facing the Alley. The garage will get a third bay with a low slope/shed roof type
addition. We have done scores of these Back East and here on barns, carriage barns, garages, etc.
Please call or email with any follow up questions. Thanks.
Sincerely,
Eric A. Beckstrom, Architect
ATTACHMENT 5
Minor Development In Historic District 145 Tait Avenue Page 2 of 2