A question to start today: Why is constructing the building on the left be VAT-free, while renovating the historic building on the right and converting it to a new purpose is not? To me, this is completely the wrong way round and such tax rules are undoubtedly contributing to what seems to be the rapidly-accelerating loss of our built heritage.
Just for a bit of background, the building on the right is the B-listed Hillhead Baptist Chuch in the West End of Glasgow which threatened with demolition by developers because they say it's not economically viable to save even its distinctive facade (mostly due to damage caused after they removed the roof and did nothig to it for several years).
This little chapel is one of the most complete Saxon churches surviving in England. It was built in 1056 so is pre-Norman. In the C17th it was incorporated into a farmhouse, because why wouldn't you?
No internal shots because it's not dramatic internally but if like me all your spidey senses start screaming in old bldgs then there's a lot to see.
Protecting all these buildings is a a mammoth task, and it's one that Glasgow City Council, the Scottish Government and the Westminster Government, regardless of their political persuasions, need to work together to achieve.
If they don't we risk losing way too many of these building and once a building is lost, you can never get it back. To lose a building forever is to lose part of our collective history and we are all worse off whenever this happens.
This building is planned to be renovated into residential units under the so-called "District Detroit" project which has received significant city and state financial backing.
Here is a unique one that I snapped yesterday in #Detroit.
This is from inside the original stairwell of the Kales Building (opened in 1914), looking out, at the stabilized facade that used to be part of the now-demolished Adams Theatre Building.
Doug Ford's destructive #Bill23 will negatively impact cities & towns, & villages across Ontario.
"In #Niagara, heritage plays a large role in the region’s history and tourism. This can be seen in areas such as Niagara-on-the-Lake, which is reliant on heritage for their economy, as well as St. Catharines, whose historical architecture takes up a significant part of Niagara’s wine and #tourism industry."