How Long Will the Pre-War Buildings Last & the Implications on the Architectural Design of the City (rent, earthquake)

[nobodysbusiness]

Much of the Pre-War architecture in NYC is interesting and beautiful and makes the city what it is, design-wise.

The Post-War buildings are basically brick blocks - and not nearly as charming.

Architecture in the U.S. has suffered since the early days when it was an art and considered important.

One of the things that makes NYC unique is the amazing Pre--War architecture - so much art in each block.

If the city was recreated today, it would be boring gray blocks of concrete with no interesting design elements and no soul.

How long will these precious structures last?

[BBMW]

Obsolete structures need to be replaced.

[nobodysbusiness]

Originally Posted by BBMW

Obsolete structures need to be replaced.

What are you talking about?

[BBMW]

I'm talking about prewar (or even older post war( buildings, especially all the unreinforced masonry tenements. They obsolete, dangerous firetraps that need to be torn down and replaced.

This veneration of old junk needs to be throttled. As do people who want to turn NYC into a museum to itself.

Buildings are tools. As such they get old, worn out, obsolete, and end up wasting land that could be put to better use. At that point they need to go.

[SeventhFloor]

Originally Posted by BBMW

I'm talking about prewar (or even older post war( buildings, especially all the unreinforced masonry tenements. They obsolete, dangerous firetraps that need to be torn down and replaced.

This veneration of old junk needs to be throttled. As do people who want to turn NYC into a museum to itself.

Buildings are tools. As such they get old, worn out, obsolete, and end up wasting land that could be put to better use. At that point they need to go.

[Foamposite]

Originally Posted by BBMW

Obsolete structures need to be replaced.

The city would become so ugly if that were to happen

[Foamposite]

I think that a good chunk of the prewars (especially brownstones and limestones) will stick around unless we have a really bad earthquake

[Foamposite]

A lot of these at this point are gut renovated, they don't even look old on the inside

[BBMW]

This is ONLY because the city has made if functionally impossible to get rid of them. Think rent regulation and landmarking.

Originally Posted by Foamposite

I think that a good chunk of the prewars (especially brownstones and limestones) will stick around unless we have a really bad earthquake

[BBMW]

A pig wearing lipstick is still a pig.

Originally Posted by Foamposite

A lot of these at this point are gut renovated, they don't even look old on the inside