Sad that an investor couldn't see to refurb/update and keep it open. But obviously the financials weren't there for that model but are there for condos and a new hotel.
I believe historic preservation is getting harder and demolishing historic real estate is becoming easier. Because of the financials and because there's less interest in history. Let's face it, fewer and fewer people know of Margaret Mitchell. And the same goes for Annie Oakley, John D. Rockefeller, Eleanor Roosevelt, Presidents Calvin Coolidge and Herbert Hoover.
Here is Atlanta we're use to it. We've torn down everything old. Old stuff here is something built in the 1970s (maybe 1960s)!
Atlanta is a great example of having turned itself into "Anywhere USA". Preservationists often ask the question about a location - "If you were not told where you were being taken, and you landed in a city without seeing any identifying road signs, would you be able to tell where you were by merely standing here?" In Atlanta (my second home for the past 45 years), that answer is "no". In Charleston, Savannah, and New Orleans, however, there is no question, partly because the historic character of those places (including the structures) has been respected. I mentioned the famous visitors not by way of validating the place, but simply for frame of reference. The real validation comes with the structure itself, a fine Victorian-era example of craftsmanship and style that deserves to be protected. There are funds available, but to your point, those funds require a little more work than simply convincing a lender of the viability and profitability of a new structure. In my humble opinion, however, and in the opinion of the preservation community nationwide, the extra effort is worth it. I'm not sure to what degree those efforts were made here. Very often, plans like this are intentionally moved forward on the down-low so that the public will only become aware after it is too late. A real shame.
As a third generation Atlanta native, born on Peachtree Street, raised in the city, and worked in the city for over twenty-five years... I'll say that Atlanta has no character and has no soul. There is no respect for preservation. It's in the way of progress. Oh, forgot, we saved the Fox!
Charleston is struggling to hold on to its character. The masses have come and continue to come. Searching for that special place. Searching for southern quaintness. But there is a strong preservation force in Charleston and they're fighting!
So sad to hear this news. We would do better if we preserved our history and honored the past.
Sad that an investor couldn't see to refurb/update and keep it open. But obviously the financials weren't there for that model but are there for condos and a new hotel.
I believe historic preservation is getting harder and demolishing historic real estate is becoming easier. Because of the financials and because there's less interest in history. Let's face it, fewer and fewer people know of Margaret Mitchell. And the same goes for Annie Oakley, John D. Rockefeller, Eleanor Roosevelt, Presidents Calvin Coolidge and Herbert Hoover.
Here is Atlanta we're use to it. We've torn down everything old. Old stuff here is something built in the 1970s (maybe 1960s)!
Atlanta is a great example of having turned itself into "Anywhere USA". Preservationists often ask the question about a location - "If you were not told where you were being taken, and you landed in a city without seeing any identifying road signs, would you be able to tell where you were by merely standing here?" In Atlanta (my second home for the past 45 years), that answer is "no". In Charleston, Savannah, and New Orleans, however, there is no question, partly because the historic character of those places (including the structures) has been respected. I mentioned the famous visitors not by way of validating the place, but simply for frame of reference. The real validation comes with the structure itself, a fine Victorian-era example of craftsmanship and style that deserves to be protected. There are funds available, but to your point, those funds require a little more work than simply convincing a lender of the viability and profitability of a new structure. In my humble opinion, however, and in the opinion of the preservation community nationwide, the extra effort is worth it. I'm not sure to what degree those efforts were made here. Very often, plans like this are intentionally moved forward on the down-low so that the public will only become aware after it is too late. A real shame.
As a third generation Atlanta native, born on Peachtree Street, raised in the city, and worked in the city for over twenty-five years... I'll say that Atlanta has no character and has no soul. There is no respect for preservation. It's in the way of progress. Oh, forgot, we saved the Fox!
Charleston is struggling to hold on to its character. The masses have come and continue to come. Searching for that special place. Searching for southern quaintness. But there is a strong preservation force in Charleston and they're fighting!