Halifax Infants Home - Lost

[Ziobrop]

Originally Posted by Colin May

HT does not always publicise their actions and nor do the media. They tend to work with owners to preserve old properties. What has been reported is a small part of what has taken place.
Does anyone believe SMU when they trot out PR lady Margaret Murphy to tell a TV reporter that saving the building would cost millions ?
That wooden staircase looked like a very nice piece of work.

It's fine that they don't always publicize their actions but it's hard to consider them an effective advocate when they are silent on actual heritage issues. They were quick to issue a release once it was down, but not much when they found it was coming down.

Fwiw heritage canada publicly announced their letter to the premier regarding the Denis building.

[Empire]

This is truly a significant loss for Halifax. This type of destruction has been flying under the radar for years in Halifax. Heritage Trust should dissolve and re-emerge as STV. We need a voice that can actively preserve buildings such as this as their sole mandate.

This area of the city is steeped in history and you need to look no further than the former Tower Rd. School "now the Halifax Grammar School" as an example of true preservation. There were threats of demolishing Tower Rd. School but with a bit of work and foresight the building has been saved and is a true asset in the South End. SMU has failed the city in allowing this demolition. Look at St. FX, look at Acadia, look at Dal. ......yes they all embrace buildings of architectural significance. Acadia, for example, has strict guidelines for any development or deconstruction and IMHO would never allow this to happen.

Many years ago there was a magnificent Italianate estate on Tower Rd. virtually across the street. The plan was to demolish this high maintenance building and replace it with a modern development. The building was demolished and a series of total crap townhouses took its place.

Crap townhouses replace true Italianate architecture in Halifax:
https://www.google.com/maps/@44.6337...Q3uUDdcgbg!2e0

Great loss
https://www.google.com/maps/@44.6337...vg!2e0!6m1!1e1

Tower Rd. School / Halifax Grammar School:
https://www.google.com/maps/@44.6325...hx4qe8BwHQ!2e0

[Drybrain]

Originally Posted by Ziobrop

It's fine that they don't always publicize their actions but it's hard to consider them an effective advocate when they are silent on actual heritage issues. They were quick to issue a release once it was down, but not much when they found it was coming down.

Fwiw heritage canada publicly announced their letter to the premier regarding the Denis building.

Yes, the letter to McNeil is here. I strongly suspect architectural preservation of Halifax buildings is #127 or something on the premier's list of priorities, but the fact that a national organization is making the effort suggests how foolish and embarrassing this looks.

It's a staggeringly out-of-touch decision on Kousoulis' part, all based on a consultant's report that recommends demolition while also acknowledging the overall soundness of the building. It also makes no cost estimates for restoration and includes such passages as "all windows in the building are wood and past their effective service life; water penetrating the frames can get behind the facade and do extensive damage. All the windows in the building would need to be replaced to correct this problem."

That's only the most egregious in a list of normal problems for an older, poorly maintained building, presented as nearly unscalable barriers to conservation.

Whoops, I ranted again. Anyway, also agreed about our local Heritage Trust. They seem to go through the motions of appearing to be an advocacy group. but rarely do any heavy lifting.