What has befallen GRRM, as he is known?
Ironically, the man who so ably writes about the castles of Westeros in his popular fantasy book series, A Song of Ice and Fire, will not be able to build one of his own on his four-acre Sante Fe compound.
A castle?
Well, it was more of a seven-sided castle-style library at Museum Hill where he lives in New Mexico with his wife, Parris McBride. The city’s Historic Districts Review Board (HDRB) denied a request to allow him to exceed the building height limit in the historic district where he lives. At 27ft 6in it was 4ft more than regulations allow. The library was intended to house “a very sizeable collection” of literature and “other collectibles”, according to the architecture firm, Autotroph Inc, who filed the application for the project which also included a roof deck and a lift tower.
What were the objections?
HDRB member, Frank Katz, said: “It is a medieval castle, and I don’t understand how we could possibly approve it in this style.” A neighbour was more succinct.
Mark Graham who lives south of the writer’s property said residents couldn’t “support having a castle in the neighborhood”, according to the Sante Fe New Mexican.
He added: “With the notoriety of Mr Martin and Game of Thrones, we absolutely fear that our neighborhood will become the next treasure hunt, that his fans will be looking to find the castle that’s in the middle of Santa Fe.”
More than 40 neighbors had signed a letter urging the HDRB to reject the request. Officials also denied a similar proposal early this year.
(Source: Home Box Office)
This is likely to be a blow for GRRM given his love of castles.
His fantasy series A Song of Ice and Fire, which became the basis for the hugely popular HBO hit Game of Thrones, is a castle lover’s paradise. Even George and Parris’s postbox betrays their love of turrets – yes, it is a tiny castle, replete with drawbridge and flags.
To be continued?
They could submit new plans or appeal to Santa Fe City Council within the next fortnight.
Or they could end the battle and be philosophical like Lord Baelish from Game of Thrones who remarked: “It doesn’t matter what we want. Once we get it, then we want something else.”
