Since the building was done at the end of last century, even some otherwise sane enough websites call it an art nouveau area. In truth the houses were built in a great variety of styles of pretty well every period (including art nouveau but by no means confined to it). About all that they have in common is that all are big and all are amazingly ornate.

One guide book says it is like a film set, but what sort of film wants an ancient Greek house and an art nouveau house next door to each other? However, it is quite spectacular enough.

At one stage it was planned to demolish the houses and rebuild, but this was defeated. I am glad because, although I can't help wondering what sort of living conditions were enjoyed by the builders of these houses, it seems desirable from a historical perspective that we should be able to see this outstanding example of conspicuous consumption by the nouveau riche. This is what it was because I learned from this website that the inside of many of these externally sumptuous dwellings was plain to the point of being old-fashioned.

This does not stop them showing real or mock (depending on your point of view) magnificence from the outside--even on a foul day like this was.