[bluevue]

I think the major difference here is that Lister was a building to be occupied and used as a modern facility. I am sure a replica of the original would have been significantly cheaper, but we would have lost the heritage aspect.

The Hermitage ruins are indeed 'ruins' and have been like that for over 80 years. We never had the benefit to know what the hermitage was like as an estate and hence the ruins are what makes it more mysterious and an attraction in the first place. I grew up without any fencing or bracing around the ruins, but my kids cannot, nor do they get an appreciation of being able to climb in and out of the ruins. This plan changes that, and will ensure we can pass down great traditions, while remaining a destination for locals.