From the book A City Lost and Found: Whelan the Wrecker, one of the workers was quoted, and I paraphrase, 'The only building I really felt sad about destroying was Illoura'. Many of us are sad decades after the deed was done, 1964 being the year of demolition.
The original Illoura. How could they!
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A year or so after demolition, this abomination appeared. I took this photo mid twenty noughties.
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At some point it received a repaint, this being half way through the job. It certainly looked better in my opinion. And the new building Lucient beside it, replacing a three storey flat block, of no great merit.
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I'm not big on conserving just any building, but I think this one was iconic. So shortsighted to demolish a point of interest, probably full of good workmanship.
ReplyDeleteBoud, with a bit of at times render patching, they last for centuries.
DeleteI would have enjoyed photographing the place
ReplyDeleteRoentare, I am sure you would have brought out the best of the building.
DeleteThat was a grand looking building. What a shame.
ReplyDeleteIt really is Kirk.
DeleteI think it is good to conserve some buildings for historic purposes. Sometimes it is good to demolish a building if it is in very poor shape or poses a danger, but otherwise preserving a building for history, to me, makes perfect sense.
ReplyDeleteLinda, generally modern buildings don't appeal to me. I've seen new ones erected when I was younger and they are now coming down. They are a long was from being classic architecture of any kind.
Delete46 rooms?? I am surprised to hear it was once a private mansion, I thought perhaps it was a grand hotel. Why are "replacement" buildings always so awful? Practicality and convenience are all very well, but what about some decent design and workmanship?
ReplyDeleteWealth from gold or sheep, I would guess River. I occasionally see modern buildings that I think are ok, but it is rare.
DeleteWhat a beautiful building, now gone and so many of them I believe, Andrew. Wheelan the Wrecker - well one of the wives trained here in Launceston when I did, she would be about my age probably 1 year older if she's still with us. Haven't seen her for years!
ReplyDeleteHow interesting Margaret. I've not seen anything really about Whelan himself or his family.
DeleteIf an existing building is still functional and attractive, why demolish it? It's a chance for architects to make their name.
ReplyDeleteModern architecture has ruined London. The Docklands are an example - it was like stepping back into history, but now it's faceless and anonymous. My husband used to love early morning runs in that area when he was working in London.
JB, yes, and so many old buildings could have been converted for modern usage. Imagine Docklands being a low rise area, full of historic building converted to residential, businesses and offices. Instead of vast openness, it could have a series of tightly knit villages.
DeleteThe original building was beautiful but over the top. The next two Brutalist designs were horrible, so inhuman. They will get knocked down in time though, concrete doesn't go on forever!
ReplyDeleteThelma, early Victorian architecture here at least was over the top, but it was well constructed and meant to last, as have many Victorian buildings. One of our city car parks is brutalist and has a preservation order on it.
DeleteAll cities in the world have the same look ! the "Dubai" style. Old beautiful mansions are demolished and replaced by glass boxes. If you drop me in a town in the USA, in Europe, in Canada in the UK even in the eastern countries you wouldn't know where you are !
ReplyDeleteIngrid, some of our original remains, and we must fight to protect it against profit driven developers. I've seen some photos of beautiful US towns with tree lined streets and trams running down the centre of the roads. Now, the same streets are many laned major roads. It is sad.
DeleteVictorian Heritage knew that Illoura was eligible for inclusion in the Victorian Heritage Register. Yet perhaps 1964 was too early for the community be aware of the consequence of casual demolition. Thus there was no protection ggggrrrrrrr
ReplyDeleteDid Victoria learn from that disaster????
Hels, I think the Federal Coffee Palace disappeared well after Illoura, so it did take time. I hope we do better now, but some ten years ago we saw the demolition of the art deco Mitchell House to widen a lane for delivery of goods to Emporium. Nowhere is really safe.
DeleteThe destruction of history and good architecture always effects me. Surely they could have incorporated it into a modern design? Heartbreaking.
ReplyDeleteXO
WWW
The obvious to me WWW, is a conversion to apartments. Many such buildings were turned into boarding houses. Take it one step further and make them affordable accommodation.
DeleteThe new proposal s rather ugly, Andrew. So many fine buildings are gone here too.
ReplyDeletePat, maybe it will be better once built.
DeleteOh what a loss! Who is behind these types of decisions?
ReplyDeleteIn the 60s Debby, it was seen as progress. So many buildings were lost.
DeleteWhat a beautiful building. Why was the Ilora torn down?
ReplyDeleteSimply modernisations Pixie, to make money of course.
DeleteWell, they certainly should have left the original, shouldn't they?! The mid-'60s were a bad time for historic buildings. People were all about looking forward and we lost a lot of true jewels, like the old Penn Station in New York, replaced by characterless modern abominations. (And I like modern architecture if it's done right, but a lot of it is just bland, bland, bland. Like that new thing rising on the Illoura site.)
ReplyDeleteSteve, Penn Station was a truly tragic loss. I've seen quite innovative modern architecture in Europe.
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