Letter from Canada

[HeatherJ]

An all too familiar story - an architecturally significant building is wantonly damaged by a developer before it can be designated (listed). This particular building is in my adopted hometown of Toronto (Canada) where the appreciation for any old building is lamentable and the protections for them are almost non-existent. The entire city (pop. 2.48 million) has one person who is the equivalent of a CO :shock:

The Toronto Star: http://www.yourhome.ca/homes/newsfeatures/article/739439--anger-as-historic-home-s-features-hacked-away

We have also had two historic mansions burn down in three weeks.

As an old property lover, the commentson the bottom of the article are fascinating (in a watching a car crash sort of way), and depressing. In another couple of decades when everyone gets tired of glass boxes which can't be heated, the old buildings will be missed but long gone. It is like living in a city filled with teenagers who are fascinated only with very, very tall glass boxes...

Heather J
Formerly from the UK

 

[Flyfisher]

So spontaneous combustion of old properties is not just a British penomenon then.

 

[Jon Maine]

It beggars belief the attitudes of many comments attached to that press article, it has been mooted that many Canadians have a limited personality due to it being such a young country with limited heritage (we looked at emigrating there once but with my interest in old property decided against it but after reading books like how to be a Canadian this message came across loud and clear). That being the case you would have thought it was important to secure the smaller proportion of heritage property they have. There just seems to be little understanding there.

 

[Flyfisher]

Isn't it just an age thing?

Young people tend to have a more forward-looking outlook; they want modern, new-fangled stuff, latest technology, a flash car and a modern house with all mod-cons. Most of their life is ahead of them so they look to the future and the future is all about new things. Older people tend to become more nostalgic because most of their life is behind them and 'old things' are more familiar and comforting. This, of course, is very broad-brush and there will always be exceptions, but I think it's a reasonable generalisation.

 

[FamilyWiggs]

Isn't it just an age thing?

Young people tend to have a more forward-looking outlook; they want modern, new-fangled stuff, latest technology, a flash car and a modern house with all mod-cons. Most of their life is ahead of them so they look to the future and the future is all about new things. Older people tend to become more nostalgic because most of their life is behind them and 'old things' are more familiar and comforting. This, of course, is very broad-brush and there will always be exceptions, but I think it's a reasonable generalisation.

Joce, Yamin and I disagree for three - being youngsters. I am sure many other PPUKers are similarly non-vintage!

Whilst I understand the point you make FF, I htink there is more to appreciating heritage than age. After all, which do so many oldies live in identikit bugalows called "Dunroamin" or similar! Or is that a bit broad brush too? :wink:

 

[Moo]

It's a bit like another generalisation which I find intensely irritating: according to some sections of the press, 'middle class' and 'rich' are synonymous.

 

[DaveBrigg]

The story is similar to that of Nocton Hall, the subject of a thread a couple of months ago. Historic property, bought by a development company, allowed to fall into ruin with the developer aiming to build houses on the site. We have family who live near Toronto. When we visited I was struck by the Old City Hall, a romanesque stone building that would not look out of place in a Hammer Horror film. This was scheduled for demolition, but was saved by community activists. Lets hope a similar fate awaits 7 Austin Terrace

 

[Jon Maine]

Yes lets hope, the Canadians need to develop some history and personality!!