The gentrification font: how a sleek typeface became a neighborhood omen
As it happens, years ago I recommended the Neutraface house numbers from DWR to a friend who had bought and restored a mid-century house in a north Atlanta neighborhood, and it has probably tripled in value since then.
Comments
Put the Neutraface numerals and your own numerals in two masters, export instances, and get them CNC cut from metal. That way you can gradually morph your numerals without nosy HOA members noticing.
“It must be noted that not every example of “gentrification font” is actually Neutraface.”
“‘And if there’s anything that says ‘gentrification’, it’s an Apple product.’”
“Still, the pervasiveness of these house numbers may or may not actually indicate that gentrification – or perhaps more specifically, displacement – is happening in a specific block or building.”
*class kerning does indeed lurk in many fonts
Here’s a less gentrified way of placing better numbers on your house or mailbox. Set the figures in any font and size you wish, make a PDF, and have vinyl letters made at lettering.com. They can be mounted on nearly any surface. Here’s a picture of my mailbox. Know the font?
Typomancy! I am sure there is a totally viable basis for a book or TV series here.... 😝