The Great Canadian Heritage Restoration Thread

[Andrewjm3D]

Bishop's Block circa 1929

Taken by: Bryen Dunn http://tripatlas.com/guides/Canada/2...adian_Property

Taken by: TallerBetter of ssp &ssc

[Ramako]

Originally Posted by Andrewjm3D

Bishop's Block circa 1929

I think you meant 1829

[someone123]

It is not done yet but Keith Hall in Halifax is being restored. It was built in 1863 and recently has been in bad shape:


Source

Here is what the building looked like in 1942. The mansard roof is going to be restored:


Source

A lot of old details have been lost from buildings like this, but more and more of them are now being restored. Here is an "after" shot of another building across the street that was worked on by the same architectural firm:


Source

[Andrewjm3D]

Originally Posted by Ramako

I think you meant 1829

lol ya.

[1ajs]

Barber house built 1865
2 story oak log house

after all the fires......... and 25yrs of neglect


after

[SHOFEAR]

Originally Posted by entheosfog

2009:

Yale Hotel by entheos_fog, on Flickr

That neon sign is fantastic.

[The_Architect]

A couple comments.

1. Fantastic idea for a thread, Ramako!

2. Martin Mtl, that post on St. James' Church is fantastic, what a beautiful building. The commercial buildings and neon sign surprisingly enough I don't hate, reminds me of a lot of the old churches sandwiched into the streetscape in London (UK). Obviously with a front like it actually has I prefer the after though.

3. In the pictures of the Dineen Building, is it bad that I actually like the old Yonge Street better? With all the ridiculous signs and obviously all the older buildings. I really like signs for some reason that aren't just a big plastic STORE one. The ones that stick out are awesome.

[SteelTown]

Lister Block, downtown Hamilton

Before

Lloyd Alter
http://www.treehugger.com/sustainabl...ter-block.html


Lloyd Alter
http://www.treehugger.com/sustainabl...ter-block.html

Back in the day

Tourism Hamilton
http://www.tourismhamilton.com/touri...e-lister-block

After

Christopher Hume
http://hamiltonvitalsigns.ca/learning-to-love-hamilton/


Emma Reilly
http://twitpic.com/5x6bm3

[KnoxfordGuy]

This is York House in Fredericton. It was build as a school in the 1890's an then switched hands several times before it started to fall into disrepair. But, someone felt that it could see a new life as condos, and so, the building was saved from the wrecking ball. the church beside it owned it and used it for the community, but after years of ageing they wanted to build new and wanted to pull it down. However, the city did not want to see another landmark fall, so they bought it and the church built an addition down the other side of the block, which looks great too, but I digress. Work started on the building about a year ago and is still ongoing, they had a lot of work to do! Some of the pictures are mind, others are not. The architect that constructed the building also built the legislature, which is also a beautiful building, which itself also when through an extensive restoration outside. Perhaps I will show you tat as well.

This was the school in its prime (picture thanks to Fredericton Haritage Trust):


Before the work was started on the school (picture from historic places.ca):


Just this past summer:


The work they have been doing is nothing short of amazing:


The stone was just black with age, but they gave it a good cleaning (you can see at the bottom of the door frame just how bad it was:

[KnoxfordGuy]

The New Brunswick Legislature when through extensive restorations as well. Built in 1880 after a fire burned the previous wooden structure built in 1799:

You can see the copper roof from long ago, was not always white (who ever though of that should be sent to jail hahaha (Picture from New Brunswick archives):


Before (picture from wikipedia):


During the work (picture from the New Brunswick Government website http://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/mu...4_2.jpg.html):


After the work was done. Doesn't it looks so much more stately? (Picture from Oldmasion on flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/httpold.../5613344706/):


After the work was done. Leg from the air. (pictures from Fredericton tourism):



Lights were added to the building for the diamond jubilee of Queen Elizabeth (Photo from Colde Berston at http://coleburston.tumblr.com/post/2...n-at-a-lit-up:

[Chadillaccc]

Fantastic restoration! and of a very important building no less!

[KnoxfordGuy]

I love New Brunswicks legislature. It doesn't get the attention it needs!

[entheosfog]

Another one from Vancouver. This building is located on the once infamous 100 block of west Hastings. Even as late as 2007 most of these building stood abandoned, derelict and ready to be torn down. But ever since the Woodward's project was built across the street, this block is being shown some love. One by one, these buildings are getting restored. I'll post the rest of the block later, but this is the latest to be restored.

1927:


2007:


2013:

[Rico Rommheim]

Originally Posted by KnoxfordGuy

The New Brunswick Legislature when through extensive restorations as well. Built in 1880 after a fire burned the previous wooden structure built in 1799:

Thanks for sharing. The NB legislature deserves a lot more love. Awesome

[Townie709]

Wow! These are fantastic!

St. John's is slated for a pretty big restoration of a building downtown to begin this spring. I'm not sure it's old enough to be called heritage, but it's quite the extensive restoration!

This is the current Avalon Telephone Building that has been vacant and left to rot for many years



And this is the approved restoration beginning construction soon

[kwoldtimer]

Originally Posted by entheosfog

Another one from Vancouver. This building is located on the once infamous 100 block of west Hastings. Even as late as 2007 most of these building stood abandoned, derelict and ready to be torn down. But ever since the Woodward's project was built across the street, this block is being shown some love. One by one, these buildings are getting restored. I'll post the rest of the block later, but this is the latest to be restored.

1927:


2007:


2013:

It looks like they have painted the stone/concrete facade, which normally I don't like, but the building looks good. Do you know if it has tenants lined up or has it been restored on spec?

[entheosfog]

I'm not sure what the deal is but there was artist studios on the second level, I believe they'll remain. If this building follows the others on this block, they'll be posting for lease signs for the retail level soon.

[Martin Mtl]

Theatre Corona
Build in 1912 and interior redecorated in 1922.

Original

Source: Corona Facebook


Source: Corona Facebook

Before the recent restoration


Source

Now (reopen as Virgin Mobile Corona theatre):


Source: Corona Facebook


Source: Corona Facebook


Source: Corona Facebook


Source: Corona Facebook


Source: sors-tu


Source: sors-tu

[entheosfog]

Excellent stuff!

I was going to post some more of the 100 block of west Hastings but before I could post all the pics I pressed the wrong button and it all went away
For another day, I suppose.
Anyway, here's another building I forgot about, the Flack Block, built in 1898. Again, I'll use then and now photos, starting with the oldest.

1909:

Flack Block from Victory Square - 1909/2011 by entheos_fog, on Flickr

1939. Note the archway, soon to be removed, plus the cornice:


1947. Work is being done to 'modernize' the building:

Flack Block - 1947/2010 by entheos_fog, on Flickr

1969. Archway and cornice are gone in this photo:

Flack Block - 1969/2009 by entheos_fog, on Flickr

It looked similar to this 1971 photo up until its restoration a few years ago:

Flack Block - 1971/2012 by entheos_fog, on Flickr

Replicated archway (ignore the graffiti):

Flack Block Entrance by entheos_fog, on Flickr

Detail:

Flack Block Detail by entheos_fog, on Flickr

[MTLskyline]

Here are a few failed renovations in Montreal... These are the same buildings apparently! I don't really think that they can be restored.

5635 Park Ave. (1936-2012)

1936-2012 by guil3433, on Flickr

Another butchered renovation, again same building - corner St. Catherine and Mackay (1936-2012). It was "renovated" in 1968.


1936-2012 by guil3433, on Flickr

Another hatchet job.

1930-2009 by guil3433, on Flickr