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Is there a moment in history you wish you could experience? The world is full of beautiful old historical buildings that connect us to the past, but too many are lost to decay or thoughtless development. Restoration can give us glimpses into what they might have looked like decades or centuries ago.
The /r/Saved_Architecture subreddit collects architectural success stories. Their before-and-after photos document the work talented architects’ and tradesmen do to preserve architectural history. Some of the buildings are worn down by neglect and time, while others are revealed from beneath facades installed to hide their former beauty. The old buildings’ scars can even tell us stories - of wars, demographic changes, economic decline, or changing tastes.
Restoration is a difficult and subtle trade. Ancient materials or processes may no longer be available, and neither are the buildings’ plans. Architects may have to use old photographs or even first-hand historical accounts as clues to discover an old building’s design.
Whatever the case, we are lucky to witness these restored slices of the past. Scroll down to vote for your favorite saved architecture restorations or add one you’ve seen in your own town or city.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
The Bourse Of Antwerp (Antwerp Stock Exchange)- The World's First Purpose-Built Commodity Exchange. Built In 1531 And Restored In 2019
Robert T 2 years ago
I suspect that is FOUNDED in 1531. They did not have technology to make ironwork like that in 1531. It is still impressive though.
聖楷Thomas 2 years ago
Correct, the building we see here was built in 1872.
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Leo Domitrix 2 years ago
I imagine the echoes of shouts, then imagine instead scurrying people whispering so that the whole building sounds like wind
Riley Quinn 2 years ago
The glass roof allowing the light to shine in is not only energy efficient, it also lifts the spirits of those inside. Excellent idea.
聖楷Thomas 2 years ago
Wrong year – 1872, not 1531. The building we see here was built in 1872 for the Handelsbeurs in Antwerpen. This Bourse (stock exchange) was established in the beginning of the 16th century, and in 1531 it got its first trading-floor as an open court yard. Since then, several buildings were used for the bourse. After a great fire destroyed the former building in 1858, this was designed by the Belgian Architect Joseph Schadde and opened in 1872. It is indeed a beautiful and interesting example historicism with mainly Neo-Gothic stylistic elements. In 1997, the Antwerpen stock exchanges was taken over by the one in Brussels, so the building was rendered obsolete. Several projects to revive it failed, but after extensive renovation, it was re-opened as a venue for events in 2019.
Donkeywheel 2 years ago
A luxury hotel, despite the opposition of the local population.
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Downunderdude 2 years ago
Mmmmm, dunno...big job, a bourse. Now if it was yer fish market or summink, I might be able to help yer. But a bourse.. Big job, a bourse.
RELATED:
#2
14th Century Building, Droitwich, UK. Built In 1320, Covered And Further Covered In The 18th, 19th And 20th Centuries. Restored And Saved In 2017
Shannon Glidewell 1 year ago
I feel the same way. But they must have had their reasons , right...? right...? seriously though , right...? Nevermind ...no reason for them to pave over the cool cobblestone street!
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Whizzle Pop 2 years ago
That's atrocious. How on earth did they get permission to destroy a historic building like that? All those successive layers of history swept away and replaced by facsimile 'original' features. There is absolutely no way permission would be granted to do that nowadays. Really sad to see such a lovely building mutilated.
Sandra Morison 2 years ago
Noone knew it was rhat old, so many buildings like this on the High Street All sloping, sinking from 13th and 14th centuries
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Karen Taylor 2 years ago
So, so pleased they restored it to its original design. Looks so elegant. The majority of buildings today are boring.
There is an unfortunate trend for cities and their governments to misunderstand or ignore the value of their architectural heritage. This attitude was summed up at the University of Genoa’s conservation workshop:
“Valuable monuments, sites and landscapes are being threatened increasingly by largescale or uncontrolled developments of the built environment, not taking into account in any way their established and potential assets for the future development of that built environment. Is our architectural heritage becoming marginal or even irrelevant [...]? The answer is indeed no, if at least we manage to convince society – and its policy-makers – of these values of historical buildings, sites and landscapes;...”
Are there beautiful old buildings in your area that you think are at risk of crumbling to oblivion or being torn down for new development?
#3
Just A Quickly Reminder How A Decent Renovation Should Look Like(Warsaw, Poland)
Nitka Tsar 2 years ago (edited)
Never mind. I made a mistake here. Ignore this comment (I keep the original text, so you can see what I wrote originally, if you are curious): It was not covered up though. The first pic is the original. It never looked like the second one. This is a renovation from pic one to pic two. It is not a restauration.
Load More Replies... 聖楷Thomas 2 years ago
Well, indeed, a marvellous example of renovation! However, there is another side to this type of renovations: a dramatic increase in property value, and therefore driving out the average working- and middle-class who can't afford living there any longer, can't afford living in the town centres. This process of gentrification transforms city centres of many European towns more and more into hollow buildings mostly for tourists and few rich. Would be great if we could manage to renovate to this former glory, and retain socially diverse city centres.
Cardboard Dino 2 years ago
I’m sorry whoever covered up the original exterior should be fired… it was so much prettier
#4
The Old Manufactury Of Lodz, Poland
Otto Katz 2 years ago
I found it on google streetview! https://www.google.com/maps/@51.7803308,19.44839,3a,37.5y,148.02h,98.25t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sADiR1rYNdiGwFROdZaWb1Q!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?authuser=0 Screenshot...50-png.jpg 
Perry Downing 2 years ago
I’m traveling in Poland right now, and they’re putting so much into bringing their country back to its vibrant self. The energy is palpable.
D'oh Rae is Me 2 years ago
Amazing this survived at all. Much of Lodz was annexed as a ghetto/shtetl at one time. Great that it still stands.
Nikki Sevven 2 years ago
IDK if this is common all over the US, but in New England, we tend to renovate 19th and 20th century mills and manufacturing plants after their companies close down. Some are made into apartments or condominiums, but most are repurposed as retail and office space. There are two (one of each type) within 2km of my house.
R 2 years ago
The difference is that the old factory in Poland was a bombed war zone, I don’t know what happened in America for it to get that bad…
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#5
Schofield Building, Cleveland, USA. Built In 1902, Facade Panelled Over In The 60s And Restored In 2017 To Its Original Design
Rebekah 2 years ago
Why would anyone ever think this was an improvement? (drugs from the 70's aside)
Riley Quinn 2 years ago
What horrid creature thought this beige and brown monstrosity was an improvement over that marvelous original, and thankfully restored, façade?
John Miller (Pere_grin6) 2 years ago
Whatever tasteless genius panelled up such a beautiful building.
Glynna Bowood 2 years ago
Luckily it was still there - usually they tear the old buildings down instead of doing a facade.
It’s one thing to design and build a modern building and quite another to renovate one built using historical designs, techniques and materials. The restoration of a building doesn’t just restore the building itself, it also helps to restore some of the traditional crafts and trades that went into that building’s creation.
Here are just a few of the unique trades that could be involved in the authentic restoration of a historical building:
- Thatching to create and maintain authentic rural roofing;
- Gilding to restore a glorious royal building;
- Carpentry to build strong structures and beautiful doors and windows;
- Blacksmithing to create structural supports and decorations;
- Stoneworking for everything from structural arches to sculptural ornamentation.
Some of these trades could be at risk of disappearing if not for heritage architecture conservation! You’ll also spot some of these tradespeople’s handiwork throughout this list, so keep scrolling.
#6
La Samaritaine, A "Grand Magasin" Of Paris Is Going To Reopen After 15 Years Of Massive Restoration Work
#7
Deutsches Buchgewerbehaus In Leipzig/Germany - Built 1898-1901, Reconstructed In 2018
sturmwesen 2 years ago
I only know the old paintings. Nice to know it stands (again) as it was
Katrina Szederkenyi 2 years ago
...it's not only a gorgeous building, the apartments inside are amazing! (Yes, you can live here!)
QuirkyKittyGirl 2 years ago
Wha- unnh, seriously. Did they actually salvor that gorgeous building?!? Noooo!
#8
The Changing Face Of St Bartholomew-The-Great's Gatehouse In Smithfield, Which Was Built In 1595 And Some Point Bricked Over. It Was Bombed During A Ww1 Zeppelin Raid Knocking Off Some Bricks Revealing Its Tudor Half-Timbered Facade. It Was Restored To How It Looks Today. 1916 vs. Now
Celtic Pirate Queen 2 years ago
Yeah - those things they use in a war that go boom? BOMBS.
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A Historic Building In Tbilisi, Georgia
Nikki D 2 years ago
My first thought was Georgia, USA! It would fit right in. Or French quarter of New Orleans. I desperately want to sit in a rocking chair with a cool drink and people watch.
Richard Thomas 2 years ago (edited)
I fell for the same thing, the building looks like it could exist in a small town somewhere in the state of Georgia. Then again the bottom of the building is too clean, it needs the red clay stain xD
Load More Replies... google slave 2 years ago
I'm curious as to how many people actually think this is the state of Georgia in the u.s.?
Joshua David 2 years ago
I'm a Georgian and I struggle to find anything historic around here. Monroe GA has some cool houses and besides this photo, is all I've seen of much history.
Spocks's Mom 2 years ago
Go to Savannah. It has a lot of history. Anyway, this picture is from the Georgia in Europe, but sometimes Georgia is considered a part of Asia. It's in one of those tricky spots.
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Villa "Anna" In Konstancin-Jeziorna Near Warsaw, Poland. Built In 1904 And Renovated In 2021
Spocks's Mom 2 years ago
Art Deco is my personal favorite, but I love Nouveau too. It's like Deco's older more sophisticated cousin.
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At the same time, shortages of the skilled trades required for conservation and restoration can make this a difficult and expensive endeavor. In an analysis of Malaysian conservation efforts, academics note: “Due to lack of conservation skills for the repair and maintenance of historic architecture, it was discovered that about 60% of conservation and maintenance of historic buildings are done by inexpert and inexperienced workers resulting in 50% of the problems that emerged thereafter (Kayan, 2003; Fidler, 2005). [...] [The] conservation of such historic buildings is discouraged by the lack of manpower to facilitate good maintenance.”
If you’ve been thinking about a career change, how about training as a stonemason, carpenter, or blacksmith? There’s a beautiful building out there that needs you!
#11
Laurietta Farmhouse, Fayette, Mississippi. Built In 1825 And Restored In 2014
Riley Quinn 2 years ago
The top photo doesn't leave much to be optimistic about, so the renovation is a pleasant surprise.
#12
The Restoration Of A Mansion In Astashova, Russia
The voice of reason 2 years ago
Amazing. What I see as un-salvageable, someone else sees potential!
KermitTheHermit 2 years ago
That is a labor of love. To see the beauty within the shambles of the first image…
#13
Green Gate, Gdańsk, Poland. Beautifully Restored Along With The Majority Of Gdańsk Old Town After Ww2
Blue Mar 2 years ago
Poland been destroyed so badly through the centuries, Warsaw was literally flat ruin. If you would visit now you couldn't believe how much restoration has been done. Poland is excellent example of many beautiful buildings which have been brought back from hardcore. Interesting fact is that to rebuild capital people over the country were sending bricks and materials because Poland was so poor and destroyed after wars and robbery of Russia (they even were stealing rails tracks...) So yes, if you are looking for a example, look at Poland. I'm proud of Polish nation.
Sue Wade-Walters 2 years ago
I hope Ukraine will be able to eventually do the same. Poland is a shining example for them, not to mention how much Poland has sacrificed to help them.
Load More Replies... Edgar 2 years ago
Same with Warsaw, devastated during the WWII (f**k you Stalin...). The Castle Square has been rebuilt thanks to the paintings which had been made of the place before the war.
lena denis 8 months ago
The Soviet Union helped rebuild Warsaw. https://mid.ru/ru/detail-material-page/1469347/
Load More Replies... Michael Violette 2 years ago
I've been here and Warsaw. Amazing fact was that Warsaw residents went and helped with the rebuild by cleaning the bricks and all. I was amazed at how beautiful Gdańsk is and how amazing the architecture is.
Riley Quinn 2 years ago
This is something the majority of Americans have absolutely no context for. You think you intellectually understand, but you really don't have the faintest idea.
Nonesuch 2 years ago
I bow to you. No we do not understand the destruction war causes. Emotionally and the physical damage to your countries.
Load More Replies... Despite the many risks and challenges, it’s clear that restoring heritage buildings provides us all with incalculable benefits. In many cities, national museums, train stations, marketplaces, and even old factories can transform into local hubs where people can marvel at the beauty of the past. What’s your favorite restored historic building where you live?
#14
Elks Lodge Building In Marshall, Texas, USA. Built In 1912, It's Beautiful Facade Was Ruined Over The Years By Modifications, But It Was Lovingly Restored To It's Former Glory In 2013
Francesa Miller 2 years ago
The "before" was during renovations. Of course it looks bad. When I'm partway through cleaning/working on anything, it looks worse than before I started.
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Jerusalem Cat Syndrome 2 years ago
"Its". "Its". "Its". "Hers, his, its." It's (it is) easy to remember.
RedCorvette 2 years ago
What were they thinking bricking this up? Oh it’s too ornate, lets uglify it.
Ale Fab 2 years ago
nitpick of the day: if you write "it's" for "its", do you also write "he's" for "his" and "she's" for "her" ?
Riley Quinn 2 years ago
Miserable people draping their dreary attitudes on public display and calling it modernizing.
#15
Old Leominster High School. Built In 1908 And Abandoned In 1986. It Was Bought And Renovated Over 2 Years To Be 32 Affordable Housing Units
KermitTheHermit 2 years ago
It is time for so many cities to cut the red tape and start doing things like this.
Seadog 2 years ago
This could be done to so many abandoned buildings across the US but greedy owners would rather pay taxes on an empty building while asking more than it's worth, than allow someone to actually make something of it.
Shannon Glidewell 1 year ago
The city of Daytona Beach just loves to buy any older building that becomes vacant and simply tear it down and just leave a dirt lot. No matter the condition or history of the building. Makes no sense to a lot of us here.
Load More Replies... Riley Quinn 2 years ago
I've seen many towns and cities doing this, mostly condos and businesses. But I like the idea of affordable housing a lot more.
Ugh_What_Now 2 years ago
We have a school in our town like this... called "Old School" apartments or something of the likes. Very great concept with how much money school systems get for abandoning buildings and building new ones... while paying teachers next to nothing... 💅
Kira Okah 2 years ago
Was it actually restored, or did they just fancy up the facade while utterly destroying everything inside? See so many things that are all "come live in a restored historic building" and find out that it's a historical building shell instead and everything inside was destroyed.
#16
Schloss Brauchitschdorf (Pl: Pałac W Chróstniku), Built In 1728, Restored In 2009-2014. Chróstnik, Poland
Turnip and a Frog 2 years ago
Impressive work. Must have cost a fortune to bring it back to life from the ruin that it was.
Tuesday's child 2 years ago
Literally EVERYTHING changed, must have been so much work, but it looks totally worth it
#17
Harlow Tower, Kent, UK. Built From 1785 To 1852 And Restored In 2011. 170 Ft Tall, A Great Example Of A Victorian Gothic Tower!
Alexandra Davis 2 years ago
It's the Hadlow Tower not Harlow. I used to live down the road from this, it's in Hadlow just outside Tonbridge
Spocks's Mom 2 years ago
Have you been inside of the tower? I would have loved to see this in my home town!
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Viv Hart 2 years ago
Thanks for pointing out BP's mistake, Alexandra Davis, this is beautiful.
Viv Hart 2 years ago
I gather it was restored in Victorian Gothic style, more fancy than the older version.
Load More Replies... #18
Filipescu-Cesianu House, Bucharest, Romania, 1892
PurpleUnicorn 2 years ago
Bucharest had some beautiful buildings in the past but unfortunately Ceausescu had hundreds destroyed to build his vanity projects. There are still some stunning buildings to be found in the city, if you can look under the grime!
LadyHermit 2 years ago
Too bad that, in Romania's cities, my hometown Bucharest especially, for every restored building tens of others await their final demise in order to make room for more profitable venues.
#19
Hacienda Zotoluca, Built In 1710, Rebuilt In 2016
#20
A Victorian House In Rarden, Ohio, USA
Joshua David 2 years ago
I'm from the Midwest and the amount of old Victorian homes up north is astounding.
Riley Quinn 2 years ago
It took 3 steady crews a couple of years to restore a Victorian this size and it was in perfect shape compared to this one.
Ash Conner 2 years ago
Even though the new house looks amazing there's still something about it that seems creepy
#21
Restoration Of The Palace In Tsaritsyno (Russia). The Palace Was Not Completed In The 18th Century, And Stood In Ruins, But At The Beginning Of The 21st Century, The Palace Was Built Completely In Accordance With The Project Of The 18th Century
James Pelley 2 years ago
My thought is, how beautiful these restored buildings are. So historic with deep roots in historical Russia. Wouldn't it be terrible if a narcissistic ruler of a much bigger country decided, 'if I can't have it, no one can' and blew the living c**p out of all of it with only a made up reason to do so.... Hmmm?
Riley Quinn 2 years ago
I'm very fond of museums, but given the state of so many Russian lives, I can't applaud the expense.
Alex Martin 2 years ago
The construction started in 2007. The sanctions mostly hit in 2022. How inconsiderate of the Russians, they should have anticipated these sanctions 15 years ago and left the palace in ruins.
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1991 vs. Today, Eltz Manor, Vukovar, Croatia
Bored Koala 2 years ago
For those not familar with this one, it was originally built in 1751 but then bombarded during the Croatian War of Independence. Nice to see it restored to its former glory
Elizabeth Butler 2 years ago
That looked so beyond saving. Some restorations here are near miraculous but needed a LOT of financing. I am happy to see funds available for projects like this.
#23
Versailles Royal Chapel, After 3 Years Of Restoration And 300,000 Golden Leafs
David Wambold 2 years ago
Versailles was originally a hunting lodge. But Louis XIV wanted to keep an eye on the other nobles after an attempted coup in his youth. So borrowing from one of his ministers houses he built a palace that could hold large amounts of nobles. However, there was little plumbing for personal needs. Later some chamber pots were placed on the lower floors.
Donkeywheel 2 years ago
No. This is not Notre Dame (in Paris) this is the Chapelle royale (in Versailles). No fire happened there.
Load More Replies... #24
The Pre-Columbian Pyramids In Teotihuacan, Mexico
Leo Domitrix 2 years ago
Not so much man's fault as nature's.... And some had stones ripped out to build conquistador stuff, per our friends there.
Shannon Glidewell 1 year ago
Awesome comment!!! I remember Slinky! I'm 54 and I'm guessing you are close to my age as well...
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Charles Holzhauer 2 years ago
Over 90% total rebuilding rather than restoration. It's what they did in the 19th Century.
#25
Cook County Hospital, Chicago, Il. Built 1914, Abandoned 2002, Converted Into Hyatt Place/Hyatt House In 2018
Kenny Kulbiski 2 years ago
I was born there! My parents moved when I was 6 months old and this is the first and only time I've seen it.
High Mamii Melo 2 years ago
Chicago is actually a lovely place. The violence and lawlessness here is located in very specific areas and not all over the city. What you see in the news is a miniscule amount of truth about Chicago.
Load More Replies... #26
Grand Hotel, Stockholm. Built In 1872, Original Facade Removed During The Mid 20th Century Before Being Restored In 2018!
聖楷Thomas 2 years ago
Well, I very much prefer the version above! The awnings make the façade much livelier, both in contrast as well as in the different position how they are opened up and out. The flowers are also a extremely lovely addition to the balconies! In contrast, the renovated version is quite unoriginal, as it follows the typical scheme of decoration of the second half of the 19th century. All the decorative elements were mass produced, the artistic originality and quality is rather limited.
Viv Hart 2 years ago
The middle years of the 20th C was the birth of the dullest building style all over the world. My home city of Cape Town, South Africa, had so many lovely old buildings, from Cape Dutch, to Georgian, Victorian, Art Nouveau, Art Deco, then Bland, with glass & steel skyscrapers, I'm ashamed of it.
John Miller (Pere_grin6) 2 years ago
What bozos have been bricking up such beautiful buildings during the 1900s??
#27
Restoration Of The Konstantinovsky Palace. Photos 2000-2010. Saint Petersburg, Russia
FreeToFall 2 years ago
I think that Russia must be a stunning Place. It's a pity that we are enemies... Stop the war and let us know you in Freedom.
Saint Tim the Godless 2 years ago (edited)
I'm ok with that as long as we hang a bunch of war criminals.
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Shannon Glidewell 1 year ago
Incredibly beautiful palace ( at least I think so )
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Turnip and a Frog 2 years ago
Wow! The scale is massive. And the location seems not that typical for a palace.
Shannon Glidewell 1 year ago
So I'm trying to imagine the number of people on the grounds keeping force. Probably too many to call it a crew. Maybe a Squadron of Gardeners and Plumbers (irrigation) and Electricians and Equipment Operators plus an office complex complemented with a full ofc. staff. Plus the Shop for storing , maintaining , repairing all of the equipment required to take immaculate care of these historic grounds / gardens. And that's without even stepping inside the big house/manor.
Shannon Glidewell 1 year ago
And I didn't even mention the Equipment Service Technicians (mechanics) and all the shop tools (and personal tools) needed to keep all of the trucks , trailers , tractors , mowers , weed eaters , edgers , blowers , and two-way radios and everything else it takes to stay on top all the breakdowns , over use , misuse and abuse that happens to all of this machinery on a sometimes twice -daily occurrence , every damn day. And then there's the fuel.... and the different fertilizers and insecticides and so on and so on but I'm betting that you get the idea now. And it never ends but that's what it takes to keep their lawn and gardens looking good! And they certainly do look good. Awesome!!!
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April Pickett 2 years ago
It's beautiful and extensive. What do they use it for now? I looked it up. It's the official residence of the Russian President in St. Petersburg.
#28
It's No English Manor, But I Really Appreciate How The Owners Of This Old 3-Decker On My Street In Worcester, Massachusetts Made An Effort To Restore It To It's Original Charm
Glynna Bowood 2 years ago
The bottom left pic shows the house has a massive lean- does it really?
Spocks's Mom 2 years ago
Well. Look at that cute little muffin of a house! Too much house for us, but if I could find three more small families...🤔
KermitTheHermit 2 years ago
It doesn’t look like that the lovely after was under all of that. Amazing.
Shannon Glidewell 1 year ago
That's why they call neighborhoods like this "The Flats".
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Mommy Panda 2 years ago
Would have been even better if they had used a light shade of blue instead of grey
#29
Eglantine House In Hillsborough, Northern Ireland
Mabelbabel 2 years ago
This place is a family home. It was first built in the late 1700s, then redesigned and rebuilt in the 1840s, the new design being done by Charles Lanyon, famous architect. It was a family home up until the 1980s, when it was sold. The new owners put in planning applications to turn it into a club, hotel or restaurant, but didn't get planning permission so it stayed empty for a year or two until it mysteriously burned down, leaving just the facade. It was re-sold and the new owners renovated it completely to live in.
#30
Restoration Of A Church In Podmoklovo, Russia
Vi Photography 2 years ago
It seems the author is russian, half of the building from there meh, all churches , all the same style , not the place to be praised nowadays , most part of their culture isnt even theirs but stolen from nations around omg , biggest part of the country think its the right thing to kill people in other countries, because everyone except themselves are "rotten west " and they are somehow sacred and better than the others
lena denis 8 months ago
What's the matter? What did she say? What nonsense?
Load More Replies... #31
Post Office From 1884, Călărași, Romania
#32
Dresden Frauenkirche, Germany
xolitaire 2 years ago (edited)
I remember the huge undertaking this was. There was this huge area with thousands of stone pieces ordered by material, size etc etc. Like a gigantic puzzle. They used as much of the original material as they could. When I visited it wasn't done yet, but the officials working on it were so nice, they invited me back saying "Come back in 2001, then we will be done!" Sadly I haven't had the opportunity to visit Dresden since then, but every time I see pictures of the church I remember that huge field filled with mountains of stone pieces
xolitaire 2 years ago (edited)
No. They collected as much of the original material as possible, sorted and archived it for years to use it for the restoration. They basically puzzled it back together, I've never seen anything like it before.
Load More Replies... #33
Ramba Graduate Teacher's College, Porbandar, India
#34
Andreas Gryphius Theatre In Głogów, Poland Was Badly Damaged During Ww2 But Restored This Year Back To Its Original State
Turnip and a Frog 2 years ago (edited)
Yes! Somehow classical forms in a modern urban space always actualize the past.
Bearseyeview 2 years ago
My son lived in this town when he met his wife, I was able to visit a few times. It is such an interesting town, with underground tunnels, a dry moat turned into a walled park and woodland walks beside the river. The architecture is beautiful and so much restoration has been done achieved, it's a place really worth visiting.
#35
Teters House, Riga, Latvia. Built In 1912 And Saved And Restored In 2015
Tuesday's child 2 years ago
Wow this looks amazing and really clean compared to the first pic. But the wires just kinda ruin it
Roe Rainrunner 2 years ago
They are probably from electric busses - and also existed in the first pic :-)
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Ilze Krauze 2 years ago
Terrible history. Many people have been tortuted and killed by KGB in this building. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corner_House_(Riga)
#36
A Gründerzeitgebeude In Leipzig, Saxony, Germany
Spocks's Mom 2 years ago
They are umbrellas meant to provide shade in the passenger loading zone.
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Joroches 2 years ago
I think this is the only one that I preferred the before picture. Yes it's a bit run down but looks interesting, the restored version looks a bit bland to me.
Debby Keir 2 years ago
But if you look closely, it looks like bomb damage and a tree growing in the centre of the building
Load More Replies... #37
Kaiserstrasse 48 In Frankfurt/Germany - "Restored" (Because Not 100% Accurate) In 2013
#38
The Entire Village Of Venzone In Italy Was Restored To It's Previous Appearance After A Massive Earthquake. Truly Inspiring!
ADHORTATOR 2 years ago
The 1977 earthquake was terrible... my grandparents live there and we couldn' t join them for for days...
Dave Fontana 2 years ago
OMG do not use it's unless you mean "it is!" Seriously, this should not be this difficult.
#39
The Restoration Of A Kalmyk Buddhist Temple In The Astrakhan Region Of The Russian Federation
#40
James Scott Mansion In Detroit, Michigan, USA
Mike Fitzpatrick 2 years ago
It's amazing that there was enough left to rebuild. The thieves that make a very good living there will strip every piece of the interiors, right down the the lathe in the walls. I lived in a historic home there that, fortunately, was only open to the thieves for a very short time, but they still managed to make off with a huge amount of the millwork that the home was known for. It's an absolute shame, and something to celebrate when these places can be restored.
Sue Wade-Walters 2 years ago
Great restoration, but I hope they add some landscaping to soften it.
Tuesday's child 2 years ago
The second one kind of looks like a setting for a detective noir novel
#41
The Byzantine Palace Of Mystras, Peloponnese, Greece
Leo Domitrix 2 years ago
Since they'd often be guessing, yeah... That said, hey, why not try? Tho' I find ruins more fascinating in their way.
Load More Replies... #42
Elizavetino Manor Near St Petersburg, Russia
#43
A Restored Lutheran Church In Zorkino, Russia. It Was Originally Used By The Volga Germans, Who Founded The Then Mostly German Town Of Zürich (Now Zorkino). The Inside Was Also Restored, Complete With Wooden Balconies And German Text Above The Altar
#44
Hotel Cișmigiu, Bucharest, Romania | Arghir Culina | 1912
PurpleUnicorn 2 years ago
Comparison would've been better if both pictures were taken from the same angle
#45
Philadelphia's Lost A Lot Of Architecture, But In The Last Few Years Some Real Gems Have Been Saved! 2014 vs. 2019
Billy Harrelson 2 years ago
Where else are you gonna put all of those skyscrapers?
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#46
Water Pumping Station, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, Built In 1909
Tuesday's child 2 years ago
I wish that something had been done around the building instead of dirt
Apocalypse Whippet 2 years ago
It was probably only recently renovated, I’m sure they will do some sort of landscaping. ^^
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John Miller (Pere_grin6) 2 years ago
I had the opportunity to visit Carnegie Hall in NYC, and the exterior looked a lot like the exterior of the tower in to old picture.
#47
Mid-17th Century Raudondvaris Renaissance Castle In Lithuania (Only Ever Intended To Be Used Residentially Despite Its Colloquial Title Of "Castle"). In 1967–1975, It Was Saved From Ruination Along With Having Inauthentic Additions Of Later Eras Removed
marianne eliza 2 years ago
Along With Having Inauthentic Additions Of Later Eras Removed
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#48
Buda Castle's Royal Riding Hall (Hungary): Before Ww2, After… And Since 2019
聖楷Thomas 2 years ago
This does not belong here, because it was not »saved«, it was destroyed during WW II, and the remains utterly removed on the 1950s. So this is a completely new building. Besides this, I find this example very problematic: Some 120 years ago, towards end of the Austrian-Hungarian Empire, the original building was commissioned as a riding hall for the emperor, so absolutely private, not intended for the people, for the public, but for the ruling elite. The Neo-Baroque style was specifically meant to be adapt for the aristocracy. So if a democratic country in the 21st century decides to construct a conference centre, but decides to copy a building from an undemocratic past and of another function: what does this tell about the decision makers?
Johnny ro 2 years ago
It says they know what a good looking building looks like. Probably none of these examples are free of horror in their past.
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#49
A Former Monastery And Chapel On One Of The Oldest Streets In Vilnius, Lithuania. Pictured From Top To Bottom Are: A Facade Scheme (1834), A Google Street View Screenshot (2012) And Ongoing Works (2020) Across The Rest Of The Massive Ensemble
April Pickett 2 years ago
They're working on it, just haven't gotten that far yet.
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#50
1917 Abandoned Foundry Recently Restored Into A Polyclinic In Genoa, Italy
Maebe Maeve 2 years ago
You're kidding. Look at it. It's been very well restored. I don't know what your definition is.
Load More Replies... #51
The Ransom Gillis House In Detroit, USA
#52
Belgrade Cooperative, Serbia. Built As A Bank In 1882 And Restored Some Time Around 2009
#53
Petrie Building, Gelph, Ontario, Canada. Built In 1882 And Restored In 2018
Turnip and a Frog 2 years ago
That carbon-like facade is so elegant, symmetrical but the light curves make it so refined. And the crowning brings in some of that classical seriousness. But in a way I read the crown as a play with convention.
#54
19th Century Building In Kassel ,germany Has Its Original Facade Restored After Modernisation In The 1970s
#55
The 60s Overcladding Being Removed From A Building In San Antonio, USA
Michael Fuhry 2 years ago
Developers don't always get so lucky. Sometimes terra cotta adornments were brutally slabbed off to ease fitment of modern cladding.
Lyone Fein 2 years ago
So many of these buildings had this stuff layered over. I just wonder why they spent the money on this c**p.
Petra Schaap 2 years ago
maybe it had to do something with the cheapest way of insulation?
Load More Replies... #56
A Renovated Building In Warsaw
#57
Castelinho Da Floresta, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Built In 1918. (Credit: @casasdebh)
#58
Bansilalpet Stepwell In Hyderabad, India
#59
Saint Onofrio Chapel In Stronie Śląskie, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, Poland. Restored In 2014 And Reopened In 2015
#60
More Pictures Of The Restored Building In Poland
#62
Kings Gate, Kaliningrad. Built In 1765, Redesigned By Friedrich August Stüler In 1865, Damaged During Ww2 And Restored In 2005!
#63
The Butchers Guild Hall (Knochenhaueramtshaus), Hildesheim, Germany. First Built In 1529, Destroyed In 1945 And Rebuilt In 1989! Between 1945 And 1989, A Hotel Stood On Its Site
BenyA. 2 years ago
how do guilds operate? so fascinating! anyone care to offer me a link on the history and other info on guilds?
Jesse 2 years ago
Guilds are associations for individual trades. In the Middle Ages, apprentices could contact a guild and be referred to guild members they could start working for. The guilds also established and controlled business standards (for example, the baker's guild set rules for the ingredients allowed for certain bread types, and controlled the resource market for equal distribution to prevent a.) cahoots and b.) monopolies. For example, if baker A buys all the flour to force baker B to go out of business, the guild can step in). Source: history class, and my dad took up a guild profession
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Ole Peder Amrud Hagen 2 years ago
It's a beautiful building, but reconstructions like these are always problematic, historically and architecturally, and at least worth a thorough discussion. It's an incredibly interesting subject!
#65
The Old Town Of Frankfurt (Altstadt, Frankfurt Am Main), Germany. Destroyed During Ww2 And Completely Rebuilt In 2018
Ole Peder Amrud Hagen 2 years ago
It is. They tore down the old 'Technisches Rathaus' and reconstructed a section of the old town. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Frankfurt_Old_Town
Load More Replies... Ole Peder Amrud Hagen 2 years ago
It is not completely rebuilt, only one small neighborhood. One good thing they've done in Frankfurt is to have an architecture competition for the majority of the buildings and then build new, modern interpretations of the old buildings with the same footprints and volumes. It makes for some really good architecture and is a lot more legible architecturally and historically.
#66
The Ancient Hippodrome In Magnesia, Greece, Before And After Excavation
#67
Restoration Of A 800 Year Old Waterway In Utrecht, Netherlands
Petra Schaap 2 years ago
lots of canals in the Netherlands were covered back in the old days, some of them brought back.
#68
Taken 117 Years Apart. The Tree Is Still There (Riedlingen, Germany)
#70
Grand Moulins De Paris - Renovation Project (2021-2022)
#71
A Soviet Era Gym Has Been Demolished To Reveal The Original Open Air Courtyard Of The Bernardine Monastery (1492-1502) In Kaunas, Lithuania
#72
Hotel At Lapa In Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
#76
The Stadium Of Aphrodisias In Western Anatolia, Present-Day Turkey, Before And After Excavation
#77
Historic Buildings On The Silbersteinstraße In Neukölln, Berlin Restored To Their Former Glory
#78
Neeruti Manor,estonia. First Mentioned In 1412 With The Current Stone Manor Built And The End Of The 19th Century. Restored In 2017
#80
Renovated Traditional Korean House
#81
Machu Picchu, Peru, Before And After The Removal Of Overgrowth
#82
Metropolitan Building, Detroit, USA. Gothic Revival Building Designed By Weston & Ellington, Built In 1925 And Restored In 2018!
#83
Chateau Ropice, Ropice, Czech Republic. Restored In 2017 (The Plaster Was Painted Put Couldn’t Find A Picture )
#88
Ministry Of Justice (Magyarország Igazságügyi Minisztere) ,budapest, Hungary. Restored In 2014, Directly Opposite To The Hungarian Parliament Building!
#89
Crosspost From R/Europe
#90
Boyle Hotel, La, USA. Built In 1889 And Fully Restored In 2012 To Be Used As Apartments
#92
4 Castle Street, Dublin, Ireland. Saved From Demolition In 1996and Then Restored In 1999 By The Dublin Civic Trust
#93
Les Magasins Généraux, Pantin, France. Built 1931, Refurbished 2016
Petra Schaap 2 years ago
first one i dont like. I tried to google older pictures but no luck, this looks like it will be re-rebuild in another 50 years? Also the one with the grafity looks kinda cool and like it was some artist/cultural hotspot
#96
Old Salem Jail, Built In 1813, Greatly Remodelled In 1885 And Then Restored In 2009 To Be Used As Apartments
#101
Eglantine House, Hillsborough, Northern Ireland. Built In 1800, Burnt Down In 1990 And Restored In 2018
Seadog 2 years ago
Many of these are so extensive and obviously astronomically expensive I wonder if there's any financial assistance involved with the renovation/restoration? We're wrapping up a 5+ year reno on a 1920 bungalow and even with us doing the majority of the work and the house was in solid condition to begin with, we're still going to end up with double what we could've built a bigger house. And no assistance from city or state even though it's a historical home and the ARB has to approve everything including color. I will say the ARB and building inspector have been great to work with but then we weren't out to make any major changes either.
#102
Royal Guard Building, Buda Castle, Budapest. Demolished By The Communist Government But Rebuilt This Year
#103
Built In The Late 19th Century In Reykjavík, Iceland, The Zimsen House Was In The Way Of A Large Construction Project Back In 2008. Instead Of Being Demolished, The House Was Moved To Another Part Of Reykjavík Centrum And Restored, Where It Still Stands Today
#104
Grand Masonic Temple Monrovia, Liberia: Heavily Damaged During The Liberian Civil War, Renovated In 2018
#105
The Restoration Of The Estonian St John's Church In St Petersburg, Russia (Peterburi Jaani Kirik). Built 1859-60. Nationalised In 1930 By The Communist Authorities, Then Underwent Many Changes, Restored For Use As A Lutheran Estonian Church And Concert Hall From 2009-2011
#106
Point Counterpoint II, A Floating Concert Hall Designed By Renowned Architect Louis Kahn For The American Wind Symphony Orchestra, Has Found A Permanent Home In Philadelphia, Saving It From Scrap
#107
Grand Amry Of The Republic Building, Detroit. Built 1866 And Restored As A Restaurant In 2014
#108
Majestic Theatre, Darlington, United Kingdom. Built In 1932, Covered During The 60s And Restored In 2014
#114
Kulikiewicz House In Warsaw, Poland. Built In 1829 And Restored Recently
#116
A Georgian Terrace Merchants House At 18 Ormond Quay Upper, Dublin, Ireland Restored By The Dublin Civic Trust In 2018
#118
Narkomfin Building, 1929 Constructivist Landmark Restored To Its Original Appearance
#121
Osaka Shōsen Kabushiki-Gaisha Branch In Taipei, Taiwan. Being Restored After Some 60 Years
#122
The Temple Of Dendur, On The Banks Of The Nile River In Egypt Around 1870, And At The Metropolitan Museum Of Art In New York In 2023. (Saved From Dam Flooding)
Donkeywheel 2 years ago
Even this low resolution picture shows the deterioration of the monument due to its journey (look at the front writings). Many monuments in Egypt were moved due to dam floodings, a few meters/kilometers away, without a dent. The Philae temple is the best example. Moving this one to the USA was unnecessary and an aberration.
Andy 2 years ago
I doubt the damage when comparing the 2 images was from the move the the US. After that first picture it sat for almost a century in the open subject to looting, weather and stone being taken. From the 1930s it was also under water for 9 months of the year every year due to dams which had been built.
Load More Replies... Willem Oosterhof 2 years ago
Same happened in the Netherlands. A museum in Leiden has a complete temple saved from flooding. https://www.rmo.nl/collectie/topstukken/tempel-van-taffeh/
#123
Aurel Vlaicu International Airport, Bucharest, Romania, 1952
#124
Hunyadi Square Market Hall, Budapest
#128
Bonstelle Theatre, Detroit. Designed By Albert Kahn And Built In 1902 As A Synagogue. Set To Be Saved And Restored As Part Of A New Hotel!
#129
"Castle" Marienthal, Pavlovsk, Russia. The 18th Century Building Was Restored By A Local Businessman And Is Used As A Hotel
Bored Birgit 2 years ago
The after pic is missing. Click on "danishhousemafia" under the picture and you can see it in the original post. It's beautiful now!
#130
James Scott Mansion, Detroit Mi. Built In 1887, Abandond In 1975, Rebuilt And Restored In 2016
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sturmwesen 2 years ago
They are renovating a old public bath in the neighbouring town... still a work in progess, but https://bayern-online.de/nuernberg/erleben/sehenswuerdigkeiten/volksbad/
Bored Birgit 2 years ago
These are all so satisfying. Nice to see that so many buildings are restored and re-valued. It costs tons of money, but the result is stunning in every single building.
Michael Violette 2 years ago
There are a few old buildings in NYC that were torn down that I would love to see back again.
Tyranamar Seuss 2 years ago
So many beautiful buildings in Russia. Glad they're restoring them instead of destroying them for being "decadent" as was done during communism. Wonder what's going on in China after that whole Cultural Revolution fiasco.
John Miller (Pere_grin6) 2 years ago
The definitions are completely incorrect. Thatching: using straw and grass to create a roof. Gilding: application of gold and other precious materials for decor. Carpentry: woodworking. Blacksmithing: metalworking. Stoneworking: just as it sounds. The technical term is "masonry".
sofacushionfort 2 years ago
Should we acknowledge that much of the hard labor required to restore these architectural gems in Western Europe was performed by migrants post-Berlin Wall and Arab Spring, and in the US pre-“Build the Wall!”?
sturmwesen 2 years ago
They are renovating a old public bath in the neighbouring town... still a work in progess, but https://bayern-online.de/nuernberg/erleben/sehenswuerdigkeiten/volksbad/
Bored Birgit 2 years ago
These are all so satisfying. Nice to see that so many buildings are restored and re-valued. It costs tons of money, but the result is stunning in every single building.
Michael Violette 2 years ago
There are a few old buildings in NYC that were torn down that I would love to see back again.
Tyranamar Seuss 2 years ago
So many beautiful buildings in Russia. Glad they're restoring them instead of destroying them for being "decadent" as was done during communism. Wonder what's going on in China after that whole Cultural Revolution fiasco.
John Miller (Pere_grin6) 2 years ago
The definitions are completely incorrect. Thatching: using straw and grass to create a roof. Gilding: application of gold and other precious materials for decor. Carpentry: woodworking. Blacksmithing: metalworking. Stoneworking: just as it sounds. The technical term is "masonry".
sofacushionfort 2 years ago
Should we acknowledge that much of the hard labor required to restore these architectural gems in Western Europe was performed by migrants post-Berlin Wall and Arab Spring, and in the US pre-“Build the Wall!”?
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