this is the before picture; touch picture for after partial
salvage |
This was a heartbreaking salvage. While not pristine (oak and fir
floors were covered with wall-to-wall carpet), this was the solidest
craftsman
home I've been in. I mean, this place was built. Heavy door jambs,
thick plaster, leaded glass built-in cabinets, box trim and columns, divided
light windows throughout, this 80+ year old house could stand for another
century or two. But it won't. It's being knocked down to make way for a
multi-unit building. Urban density is good, but given the prevailing new
construction standards in Seattle, the new building will probably fall apart
or need to be knocked down in thirty years or so. Hey, destroying to build
again is profitable. Just look at Iraq. It's on a whole other scale over
there, but the business model is basically the same: Smash 'em and cash in.
I asked Connie what could be done to help preserve such irreplaceable houses;
the sad answer was not much. Well, heartbreaking though it sometimes
is, at least the ReStore's salvage work draws attention to the value of old
materials and methods--which might inspire people to think twice before selling
out to developers or needlessly remodeling their homes. |
