I was fascinated by this building shell back in 2010, when I took this photograph.
I have since learned that it is part of an historical, architecturally significant, streetscape, over whose future there was a lot of debate in 2008.
I suspect the buildings were sacrificed to the cause of "economic development", as only small parts of their exterior walls still remain.
And inside those pieces of preserved walls, a nine-storey building is being constructed.
While I am intrigued watching the process of constructing a building within a building, I am saddened that it is seen as an acceptable solution to the preservation of these treasured old buildings.
"Wikipedia" filled in some of the history:
The Armour Group's Waterside Centre involves demolishing six heritage buildings to be replaced by a nine story retail and office building with partially constructed facades of the some of the former heritage buildings. Halifax City Council rejected the development in the fall of 2008 but the developer immediately demolished one of the buildings and appealed Council's decision which was overturned by Nova Scotia's Utility and Review Board on March 26, 2009
Unlike most older North American cities, Halifax has no heritage districts preserving blocks of heritage buildings but only has individual building designation which may easily be overturned by developers seeking demolition.
 |
I'm really saddened to read this.
ReplyDeleteThe developer goes and pulls down the building and says "Oh well..." and gets away with it. Shame on them!
And City Council that first voted against the development caved in and voted for it. You're right. It's sad.
DeleteThose heritage buildings are an endangered species. You'd think they'd understand how much the charm of those old buildings helps to draw in tourists.
ReplyDeleteI agree Amy-Lynn. Now there's a really charming ten foot section of wall. Sigh ...
DeleteSame sort of thing happens here as well. It is rare to find an old building still standing in America and even more rare in my small town. The first thought is always, big, new, shiny, modern, convenient, cheap. Although we have had some restoration of old sites and even our Capitol building was recently restored very nicely, updated to serve today's IT needs. AND, believe it or not, we even have a building within a building concept similar to the one you show. I guess that beats total destruction.
ReplyDelete