Description
The term "McMansion" is generally used to denote a new, or recent, multi-story house of no clear architectural style, with a notably larger footprint than the existing houses in its neighborhood. It may seem too large for its lot, closely abutting upon the property boundaries and appearing to crowd adjacent homes. A McMansion is either located in a newer, larger subdivision or replaces an existing, smaller structure in an older neighborhood.
- One real-estate writer explains the successful formula for McMansions: symmetrical structures on clear-cut lots with Palladian windows centered over the main entry and brick or stone enhancing the driveway entrance, plus multiple chimneys, dormers, pilasters, and columns—and inside, the master suite with dressing rooms and bath-spa, great rooms, breakfast and dining rooms, showplace kitchen, and extra high and wide garages for multiple cars and SUVs.
Typical attributes also include a floor area of over 3,000 square feet (280 m2), ceilings 9–10 feet (270-300 cm) high, a two-story portico, a front door hall with a chandelier hanging from 16–20 feet (5 to 6 m), two or more garages, several bedrooms and bathrooms, and lavish interiors. The house often covers a larger portion of the lot than the construction it replaces. McMansions may also be built in homogeneous communities by a single developer.
The term can also be used derogatorily to describe the excessively-priced homes of families who, while although they might have a high five or even six-figure income, spend more than they make in an attempt to appear wealthy. In addition to huge mortgage payments and poor money-management skills, luxuries like SUVs and sports cars, country club memberships, seldom-used boats, RVs, etc., are reasons many families inhabiting McMansions are actually in debt for far more than the balance of their mortgage suggests.
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Famous quotes containing the word description:
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—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)
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—Horace Walpole (1717–1797)