Riverview on Rothgeb

This house has been on the market since it's completion in 2006. It is built on .41 acres, it sits quite close to the curb -- surely it respects the R-4 setback of 30 feet. The water feature, a small creek, is in the back yard, making the massive front porches overlooking the street all the more interesting to ponder.

I am curious about this new flavor of architecture that seems to be arriving in our area, and on the small lots typical of older neighborhoods. I remember these homes from my childhood travels around Georgia, where they make sense facing a river or sound. Do people from other geographic areas buy them thinking they are indigenous to here?

Because we of the modest neighborhoods are unsure about what makes a house a million dollar value, I am quoting verbatim from realtor's blurb:

Southern Charm in the Heart of Raleigh Type: Single Family
FRONT VIEW:WHAT YOU SEE FROM THE TREE-LINED STREET

WONDERFUL SOUTHERN CHARM LOCATED IN THE HEART OF RALEIGH! HOME CONTRUCTED IN 2006 ON 1955 FOUNDATION LEAVING NO STONE UNTURNED BY ADDING THE BEST QUALITY MONEY CAN BUY.

THIS HOME BOASTS TERRIFIC KITCHEN WITH GRANITE COUNTERTOPS AND CHERRY CABINETS. STAINLESS STEEL UPPER END APPLIANCES WITH FIVE BURNER GAS COOKTOP, WINE COOLER, HUGE REFRIGERATOR AND OVENS. BEAUTIFUL AND SPACIOUS DINING ROOM ON FRONT OF HOME WITH COFFERED CEILING AND BEAUTIFUL WAINSCOTTING AND CHANDELIER. FAMILY ROOM IS LOCATED ON BACK OF HOME BEHIND THE KITCHEN AREA BUT OPEN TO THE KITCHEN, LIVING ROOM AND DINING ROOM. THE ROCKING CHAIR SECOND FLOOR COVERED PORCH OF IPE (BRAZILIAN WALNUT FLOORS) IS AN ENVIRONMENTALLY RESPONSIBLE CHOICE WHICH NATURALLY RESISTS ROT, DECAY, INSECTS, AND MOLE WITHOUT THE USE OF TOXIC CHEMICALS FOUND IN OTHER DECKING PRODUCTS. THE MASTER BEDROOM HAS WOOD FLOORS WITH A TREY CEILING AND CHANDELIER. THIS ROOM OVERLOOKS THE MASSIVE BACKYARD FOR OPTIMUM PRIVACY. THE MARBLE MASTER BATH HAS A SIX-HEAD SHOWER! THE HOME THEATRE IS LOCATED ON THE LOWER LEVEL OF THE HOME WHERE THERE IS ALSO A BEDROOM AND A BATH. THE LOWER LEVEL HAS 1000 FEET OF STORAGE SPACE. THE HD PROJECTION TV PLUS SURROUND SOUND IS AN INCREDIBLE FEATURE OF THIS HOME. ONE OF THE MOST PRIVATE BACKYARDS IN THE AREA. THE SELLER HAS A LANDSCAPING PLAN TO BE IMPLEMENTED. THE MASTER PLAN IS IN THE HOME OF THIS BACKYARD PLAN WHICH INCLUDES A DECK AND LANDING DOWN TO THE LOWER LEVEL IN THE BACK YARD. UP THE STREET FROM WONDERFUL PARK AND ACCESS TO GREENWAY WITH BIKE AND WALKING PATHS. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DESIRED AREA WITH BEATIFUL OLD HOMES INSIDE THE BELTLINE IN A CONVENIENT LOCATION TO SCHOOLS, SHOPPING, HIGHWAYS AND DOWNTOWN.

New Single Family Home $1,399,000
Zip Code: 27609
Bedrooms: 5 Bathrooms: 5 full, 1 half
Square Footage: 5445


So, what's the deal about the 1955 foundation?