Fechner Construction, Inc. Homes

While in Milwaukee for Easter weekend, Kerry and I also visited my dad's grave and laid a lily. We also went to a Menomonee Falls subdivision my dad built model homes in back in the late 1980s and early 90s. It was kind of difficult to find since I haven't looked for the subdivision in over 15 years. But after overshooting and doubling back, I recognized the subdivision name on a decorative entrance rock. The entrance now has a set of traffic control lights at the intersection with the main roadway that didn't used to be there. That's probably what though me off on the first pass by.

Above is the Bedford Cape. This home was a 2,900 square foot 4 bedroom design. It was one of my dad's larger models. Probably the largest that he had commercial success with. It's one of my favorite models because I sold it pretty much without even trying. One Sunday afternoon, a family came up from Palatine, Illinois looking for a house because the dad had been transferred. It was almost 5:00 p.m. and I had plans for the evening so I shot them a brouchure and told them I'd be around somewhere closing up. When I got back to the kitchen they were sitting down at the table and asked me if they could right a contract for the full listing price. Easiest money I ever made.

Two doors over was the Williamsburg II, a 2,500 square foot Victorian design with a great room concept. I don't have any fun stories about this house. Interestingly, it looks a bit like the Granger model that Kerry and I are building. But that's to be expected since they're both Victorian designs. At the time, I didn't appreciate the Williamsburg II. I understood its simplicity and functionality but didn't quite get the charm of its design. Especially with the nice front porch area (again, kind of like what Kerry and I chose). I guess dad knew what he was doing, huh?


On the corner down the way is the 2,020 square foot Westminster Royale. This was one of my dad's "Step Up" ranch designs for families that had out grown the smaller "New Edition" line of 3 bedroom 1,445 square foot ranches This too was a 3 bedroom, greatroom ranch (but with larger rooms, obviously). A sunroom was attached to the rear of the kitchen. A side view showing the sunroom is also shown here. This was always one of my favorite designs and worked extremely well with a deck.








Finally, about a block away was the Kensington I model. Similar to the Williamsburg in square footage (maybe a tad larger) but with a loft over the greatroom. I always thought it was an innovative design but I don't think my dad or I sold more than a couple of them.

Brings back memories, of course. But also kind of gave us an idea what a new subdivision like the one we're buying into can look like after 15 years.

I forgot about the Arlington model. It was 2 or 3 doors north of the Kensington but I totally forgot it was there until my sister mentioned it. So I didn't get a picture. Based on a Texas design, it was a big, freaking ranch. Almost 2,700 square feet. Huge basement. Too huge, actually. It required so much masonry that it simply wasn't something that would be very marketable. It pushed its price into the area where people would be looking for customized designs. I didn't care much for it because (a) I never sold one and (b) I've never been a big fan of the hip roof design.