I’ve walked my dogs by this house at 1006 Clermont Street in Hollywood Heights for well over 20 years and always wondered about the brick mason that was in charge of the project. Was he wildly creative, or perhaps drunk on the job? That led me to do a ton of research trying to figure out this style of brickwork. It turns out the style is called Drunk Brick!
Well, the name is technically Hollywood Bond, but everyone calls it Drunk Brick. And it is rarer than the proverbial needle in a haystack. You don’t see these any longer, and frankly, any home constructed of Drunk Brick should have a historic designation in my book.
You have to do a double take when you walk by because it’s hard to figure out what exactly looks different. Then you notice the brick is a bit wavy. During my research, I came across a St. Louis blog called “Clayton Style” by Ted Wright, who—you guessed it — is a Realtor! He posted the following about this rare brick pattern:
Hollywood Bond, in masonry, is the systematic arrangement of bricks or other building units composing a wall or structure in such a way as to ensure its stability and strength. The various types of bond may also have a secondary, decorative function.
The only other information about this intriguing style is from Walton & Sons Masonry in California:
Drunk Brick or Hollywood Bond
After you master the rules, you can break the rules. It’s very difficult because it goes against everything a mason has been taught. Bricks are sticking out, or hacked and courses are slanted. This type of bond is an artistic rendering of brick courses designed to make the construction appear as very rustic and thrown together. It has the look of a fairytale cottage.
Fairytale cottage indeed! This Drunk Brick four square colonial is about as close to a fairytale as you can get. Not only is it one of the few Drunk Brick homes left in America, but this 1,926-square- foot home also has my absolute favorite feature — a hidden room. Right now, it’s one of the children’s rooms, but I’d pull rank, keep it for myself, and turn it into a mom cave! I’m pretty sure a wine fridge will fit nicely in that space.
The house sits on one of the few double lots in the neighborhood. It has three bedrooms and two bathrooms, so it’s perfect for a family that appreciates history, character, and style, and perhaps wants to have a chicken or two! In other words, if you want a big white, open-plan, modern home, this is not your ‘hood.
However, if you long for a real neighborhood feel where people know your dog’s name, the various blocks have monthly parties, and there is the annual Hollywood Heights Easter Parade complete with smoking frogs, this is the place you need to call home!
You are unlikely to see another house like this come up for sale in Dallas, and at $659,000 it’s a veritable steal.
Give David Bush listing agent Joe Kacynski a call before someone beats you to it! Let me know when you buy it, I’ll bring the champagne over!
