Sometimes the choices made in historic preservation efforts aren’t always clear-cut. Increasingly, there is debate over what is worthy of preservation and what is not. Many years ago I photographed this vibrant 1960’s-vintage metal facade which spanned across two adjacent storefronts in Hays, Kansas. At the time, I admired it for its classic aqua panels, quirky lines, and just the fact that it made me smile. It’s fun! And, as one of a handful of facades with a strong presence on the street, it was memorable.
Then, several years later, there was a push to “restore” and “revitalize” the immediate downtown area. The master plan called for the removal of this particular facade. Much history was lost in the redevelopment process; should this facade be counted among the losses? Or do you feel that the two early 20th-century facades (both needing restoration) which were revealed are the stronger asset? Take a look at the Before and After images below:
The 1960’s metal facade in all its jaunty glory…
…and the original structures revealed. Image courtesy of Google Street View.
OUCH.
MOST people would have not thought twice about tearing off this “awful” 1950s update.
And it pains me that this is pretty much the default position of most towns.
Sigh. I think SOME great stuff happened in the 1950s.
I would have kept this update. I love the color and that FABULOUS zig-zag awning!!!!!!!! But, something distinctive was traded for something common.
However, I would have peeled back the aqua facade ONLY enough to reveal the red brick portion. That 1913 sign is very cool, and I think the two, 1913 and 1950, could have easily coexisted if detailed correctly.
I don’t think there’s any real question that if you want to revitalize a historical district, you need every period-correct facade you can find. However, that doesn’t mean that the 1960s facade couldn’t have been *carefully* removed and reinstalled in a more appropriate place, like a new bank building. (That combination of shiny aqua “glass” and zigzag canopy says “1960s branch bank” to me.) I bet, though, that the thought didn’t even occur to anyone involved in the demolition project once.
Hello, I’m new to your site, and already hooked!! I personally love the ‘treasure’ hidden under the update, but completely agree with Mr. Wallis. The facade should have been saved and relocated to a more appropriate area (although coexistence is a fascinating idea!). The destruction process has worked the other way for so long…. when I read abut the historic architecture that was (and is) destroyed across the US to make way for McCommerce buildings I just cry. Not only irreplaceable exteriors, but precious interiors as well. Thank you for your thoughtful and insightful site. I look forward to reading more!
Thanks for your thoughts! Yes, the aqua facade would be great in new construction somewhere but, given the look produced by the “restoration” of the original brick facades, I would have preferred to see the aqua facade remain in place.
An historic shopping district focused on generating a lively retail environment should be able to contain good historic design from multiple periods, not just one narrow range. The end result looks contrived and common to me; not special at all. The result is formula-driven and it shows. These kinds of “revitalized” areas can be found everywhere and are now trite and cliche themselves.
The aqua facade had integrity of design whereas what we see today never looked like this in the past! Originally, the shaped parapet wall offered a visually-interesting silhouette; today it has been flattened and squared off by the red roof thingie perched upon it. This appendage is from the early 21st century (as are the awnings and neither existed in the past). The brick is authentic and early 20th century, the glass block looks like the 1940’s and the plate glass windows are from the 1960’s. Pardon my language but it is a clusterfuck and has no place in an historic district that ostensibly serves to preserve actual history. It would have been fun and informative to have included the vibrant mid-century modern aqua facade that captured the spirit of the now-historic style known as Googie (and its inherent optimism) very well. This is what the “experts” produced:
https://www.google.com/maps/@38.8707832,-99.331327,3a,75y,296.49h,96.96t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1syKcJ7ulFaKeFkFZ1S3wpaA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu