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Status:
"“If a thing loves, it is infinite.”"
(set 1 day ago)
Location: Great Britain
27,166 posts, read 13,455,286 times
Reputation: 19465
Quote:
Originally Posted by UNC4Me
Housing is in short supply in and around London. That’s why those projects made economic sense. Allentown on the other hand doesn’t need more housing and especially not housing that would be very expensive. Given what a developer would have to spend to make the building habitable, the cost of rest or purchase would have to be way outside what that market bears to make it attractive for redevelopment.
Most of those developments aren't in London, and the saving of part or all of such buildings is common place in Europe and many countries across the world.
Quote:
Originally Posted by turf3
Well, here's what you do.
Put together a consortium of investors to re-develop the property. Write a business plan that shows how and when they will recoup their investment. Be sure to include sufficient information on current residential trends in the area to show that apartments in a former insane asylum will be attractive to typical homebuyers in the area. Calculate the tax implications for the municipality - costs of extending services vs. anticipated tas revenue. Will public schools have to be prepared for an influx of new residents? How about road and street construction? Road and street infrastructure that were sufficient for 100 or 200 doctors nurses and staffers in the 1960s will probably be insufficient for 500 apartments housing an average of more than one person each. Make up a parking plan. Every apartment will have at least one automobile. Negotiate with local utilities for the added services (for example, 500 electric meters and 500 individual electric services vs. one; ditto for water, internet, etc.) Determine the mechanical implications of 500 individual HVAC and sewer systems vs. one. Determine estimated costs for all construction and renovation. There are dozens if not hundreds of other factors I haven't written down that will determine whether there's any value to redeveloping this property, as well.
If there is profit in it, then it can happen. See how easy it is?
Methinks OP doesn't know anything about construction or planning or financing.
It's for Americans to save their own grand historic buildings and architecture. As for infrastructure the US has more space to build roads and infrastructure than most countries.
Personally I find it sad that such beautiful historic buildings are being destroyed however that's as far as it goes, and I commend some of the local people for trying to save many of the buildings.
Most of those developments aren't in London, and the saving of part or all of such buildings is common place in Europe and many countries across the world.
It's for Americans to save their own grand historic buildings and architecture. As for infrastructure the US has more space to build roads and infrastructure than most countries.
Personally I find it sad that such beautiful historic buildings are being destroyed however that's as far as it goes, and I commend some of the local people for trying to save many of the buildings.
You're tossing softballs - the devil is in the details; answer a few tougher questions. What is it that you see as the best viable use for this building if it was rehabilitated? Do you see a need to preserve the entire campus or only part? What entity do you see providing the funding for such an effort? Do you believe support, both social and economic, exists for such an enormous undertaking?
How strange here we bulldozer them after 70 years in France they renovate for centuries
Still depends on the region and especially the city in the USA. There are many saved structures and those that are not. There are old warehouses converted to loft-living and those that are not. Lot depends on location and how preservationist fight to save them till investors are found to save and re-purpose them with funds needed.
We Sadly, the US is not saving all of its old great structures not in key areas they are located in. Some are saved at the last moment of decay. Some at some point before. Still a re-purpose they need as to do so needs to have a profit for those investing in such and task.
The US is a HUGE Nation and not restricted into a size of one or 2 states as some Nations in Europe and the UK. One needs to realize that too. Not everything is built to last a century or needs to be saved in a evolving era of decade to decade and changes that occur. Still the USA can do better in saving its oldest great solid architecture buildings. Just it takes money and investors and not by the Government that the OP seems to think is key....
That's a good link, thanks. I have a friend in East Peoria, and in 2018 we drove down to look at the Peoria State Hospital, and maybe stick our heads inside if it was accessible. Alas, it was no more, torn down in 2017. We did walk through the cemetery on the grounds, it was pretty interesting. Simple markers for people long forgotten.
It's a shame that at least some of the key architectural pieces from Allentown couldn't be saved, and maybe incorporated into a small, restored portion, maybe as a tourist attraction or something. Money, I guess. I have to wonder if an architectural salvage company wouldn't be interested in the stairwells, doors, trim, etc..
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