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50 Times Architects Put In The Effort To Make Something Extra Special And Succeeded
Is there a moment in history you wish you could experience? The world is full of beautiful old historical buildings that connect us to the past, but too many are lost to decay or thoughtless development. Restoration can give us glimpses into what they might have looked like decades or centuries ago.
The /r/Saved_Architecture subreddit collects architectural success stories. Their before-and-after photos document the work talented architects’ and tradesmen do to preserve architectural history. Some of the buildings are worn down by neglect and time, while others are revealed from beneath facades installed to hide their former beauty. The old buildings’ scars can even tell us stories - of wars, demographic changes, economic decline, or changing tastes.
Restoration is a difficult and subtle trade. Ancient materials or processes may no longer be available, and neither are the buildings’ plans. Architects may have to use old photographs or even first-hand historical accounts as clues to discover an old building’s design.
Whatever the case, we are lucky to witness these restored slices of the past. Scroll down to vote for your favorite saved architecture restorations or add one you’ve seen in your own town or city.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
The Bourse Of Antwerp (Antwerp Stock Exchange)- The World's First Purpose-Built Commodity Exchange. Built In 1531 And Restored In 2019
#2
14th Century Building, Droitwich, UK. Built In 1320, Covered And Further Covered In The 18th, 19th And 20th Centuries. Restored And Saved In 2017
There is an unfortunate trend for cities and their governments to misunderstand or ignore the value of their architectural heritage. This attitude was summed up at the University of Genoa’s conservation workshop:
“Valuable monuments, sites and landscapes are being threatened increasingly by largescale or uncontrolled developments of the built environment, not taking into account in any way their established and potential assets for the future development of that built environment. Is our architectural heritage becoming marginal or even irrelevant [...]? The answer is indeed no, if at least we manage to convince society – and its policy-makers – of these values of historical buildings, sites and landscapes;...”
Are there beautiful old buildings in your area that you think are at risk of crumbling to oblivion or being torn down for new development?
#3
Just A Quickly Reminder How A Decent Renovation Should Look Like(Warsaw, Poland)
#4
The Old Manufactury Of Lodz, Poland
#5
Schofield Building, Cleveland, USA. Built In 1902, Facade Panelled Over In The 60s And Restored In 2017 To Its Original Design
It’s one thing to design and build a modern building and quite another to renovate one built using historical designs, techniques and materials. The restoration of a building doesn’t just restore the building itself, it also helps to restore some of the traditional crafts and trades that went into that building’s creation.
Here are just a few of the unique trades that could be involved in the authentic restoration of a historical building:
- Thatching to create and maintain authentic rural roofing;
- Gilding to restore a glorious royal building;
- Carpentry to build strong structures and beautiful doors and windows;
- Blacksmithing to create structural supports and decorations;
- Stoneworking for everything from structural arches to sculptural ornamentation.
Some of these trades could be at risk of disappearing if not for heritage architecture conservation! You’ll also spot some of these tradespeople’s handiwork throughout this list, so keep scrolling.
#6
La Samaritaine, A "Grand Magasin" Of Paris Is Going To Reopen After 15 Years Of Massive Restoration Work
#7
Deutsches Buchgewerbehaus In Leipzig/Germany - Built 1898-1901, Reconstructed In 2018
#8
The Changing Face Of St Bartholomew-The-Great's Gatehouse In Smithfield, Which Was Built In 1595 And Some Point Bricked Over. It Was Bombed During A Ww1 Zeppelin Raid Knocking Off Some Bricks Revealing Its Tudor Half-Timbered Facade. It Was Restored To How It Looks Today. 1916 vs. Now
#9
A Historic Building In Tbilisi, Georgia
#10
Villa "Anna" In Konstancin-Jeziorna Near Warsaw, Poland. Built In 1904 And Renovated In 2021
At the same time, shortages of the skilled trades required for conservation and restoration can make this a difficult and expensive endeavor. In an analysis of Malaysian conservation efforts, academics note: “Due to lack of conservation skills for the repair and maintenance of historic architecture, it was discovered that about 60% of conservation and maintenance of historic buildings are done by inexpert and inexperienced workers resulting in 50% of the problems that emerged thereafter (Kayan, 2003; Fidler, 2005). [...] [The] conservation of such historic buildings is discouraged by the lack of manpower to facilitate good maintenance.”
If you’ve been thinking about a career change, how about training as a stonemason, carpenter, or blacksmith? There’s a beautiful building out there that needs you!
#11
Laurietta Farmhouse, Fayette, Mississippi. Built In 1825 And Restored In 2014
#12
The Restoration Of A Mansion In Astashova, Russia
The voice of reason 1 year ago
Amazing. What I see as un-salvageable, someone else sees potential!
KermitTheHermit 1 year ago
That is a labor of love. To see the beauty within the shambles of the first image…
The Original Bruno 1 year ago
Is this really a home (mansion)? Because there are certain elements which look very much like a church. The bell tower, the "onion-domes." I'm not even sure I don't detect some hidden flying buttresses.
ginny weasley 1 year ago
It's a home done in a folk style. And Russian church architecture has never had buttresses.
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#13
Green Gate, Gdańsk, Poland. Beautifully Restored Along With The Majority Of Gdańsk Old Town After Ww2
Blue Mar 1 year ago
Poland been destroyed so badly through the centuries, Warsaw was literally flat ruin. If you would visit now you couldn't believe how much restoration has been done. Poland is excellent example of many beautiful buildings which have been brought back from hardcore. Interesting fact is that to rebuild capital people over the country were sending bricks and materials because Poland was so poor and destroyed after wars and robbery of Russia (they even were stealing rails tracks...) So yes, if you are looking for a example, look at Poland. I'm proud of Polish nation.
Despite the many risks and challenges, it’s clear that restoring heritage buildings provides us all with incalculable benefits. In many cities, national museums, train stations, marketplaces, and even old factories can transform into local hubs where people can marvel at the beauty of the past. What’s your favorite restored historic building where you live?
#14
Elks Lodge Building In Marshall, Texas, USA. Built In 1912, It's Beautiful Facade Was Ruined Over The Years By Modifications, But It Was Lovingly Restored To It's Former Glory In 2013
#15
Old Leominster High School. Built In 1908 And Abandoned In 1986. It Was Bought And Renovated Over 2 Years To Be 32 Affordable Housing Units
#16
Schloss Brauchitschdorf (Pl: Pałac W Chróstniku), Built In 1728, Restored In 2009-2014. Chróstnik, Poland
Turnip and a Frog 1 year ago
Impressive work. Must have cost a fortune to bring it back to life from the ruin that it was.
#17
Harlow Tower, Kent, UK. Built From 1785 To 1852 And Restored In 2011. 170 Ft Tall, A Great Example Of A Victorian Gothic Tower!
Alexandra Davis 1 year ago
It's the Hadlow Tower not Harlow. I used to live down the road from this, it's in Hadlow just outside Tonbridge
#18
Filipescu-Cesianu House, Bucharest, Romania, 1892
PurpleUnicorn 1 year ago
Bucharest had some beautiful buildings in the past but unfortunately Ceausescu had hundreds destroyed to build his vanity projects. There are still some stunning buildings to be found in the city, if you can look under the grime!
#19
Hacienda Zotoluca, Built In 1710, Rebuilt In 2016
#20
A Victorian House In Rarden, Ohio, USA
#21
Restoration Of The Palace In Tsaritsyno (Russia). The Palace Was Not Completed In The 18th Century, And Stood In Ruins, But At The Beginning Of The 21st Century, The Palace Was Built Completely In Accordance With The Project Of The 18th Century
James Pelley 1 year ago
My thought is, how beautiful these restored buildings are. So historic with deep roots in historical Russia. Wouldn't it be terrible if a narcissistic ruler of a much bigger country decided, 'if I can't have it, no one can' and blew the living c**p out of all of it with only a made up reason to do so.... Hmmm?
#22
1991 vs. Today, Eltz Manor, Vukovar, Croatia
Bored Koala 1 year ago
For those not familar with this one, it was originally built in 1751 but then bombarded during the Croatian War of Independence. Nice to see it restored to its former glory
#23
Versailles Royal Chapel, After 3 Years Of Restoration And 300,000 Golden Leafs
#24
The Pre-Columbian Pyramids In Teotihuacan, Mexico
#25
Cook County Hospital, Chicago, Il. Built 1914, Abandoned 2002, Converted Into Hyatt Place/Hyatt House In 2018
#26
Grand Hotel, Stockholm. Built In 1872, Original Facade Removed During The Mid 20th Century Before Being Restored In 2018!
#27
Restoration Of The Konstantinovsky Palace. Photos 2000-2010. Saint Petersburg, Russia
FreeToFall 1 year ago
I think that Russia must be a stunning Place. It's a pity that we are enemies... Stop the war and let us know you in Freedom.
#28
It's No English Manor, But I Really Appreciate How The Owners Of This Old 3-Decker On My Street In Worcester, Massachusetts Made An Effort To Restore It To It's Original Charm
#29
Eglantine House In Hillsborough, Northern Ireland
#30
Restoration Of A Church In Podmoklovo, Russia
#31
Post Office From 1884, Călărași, Romania
#32
Dresden Frauenkirche, Germany
#33
Ramba Graduate Teacher's College, Porbandar, India
#34
Andreas Gryphius Theatre In Głogów, Poland Was Badly Damaged During Ww2 But Restored This Year Back To Its Original State
Turnip and a Frog 1 year ago (edited)
Yes! Somehow classical forms in a modern urban space always actualize the past.
#35
Teters House, Riga, Latvia. Built In 1912 And Saved And Restored In 2015
Tuesday's child 1 year ago
Wow this looks amazing and really clean compared to the first pic. But the wires just kinda ruin it
#36
A Gründerzeitgebeude In Leipzig, Saxony, Germany
#37
Kaiserstrasse 48 In Frankfurt/Germany - "Restored" (Because Not 100% Accurate) In 2013
#38
The Entire Village Of Venzone In Italy Was Restored To It's Previous Appearance After A Massive Earthquake. Truly Inspiring!
#39
The Restoration Of A Kalmyk Buddhist Temple In The Astrakhan Region Of The Russian Federation
#40
James Scott Mansion In Detroit, Michigan, USA
Mike Fitzpatrick 1 year ago
It's amazing that there was enough left to rebuild. The thieves that make a very good living there will strip every piece of the interiors, right down the the lathe in the walls. I lived in a historic home there that, fortunately, was only open to the thieves for a very short time, but they still managed to make off with a huge amount of the millwork that the home was known for. It's an absolute shame, and something to celebrate when these places can be restored.
#41
The Byzantine Palace Of Mystras, Peloponnese, Greece
#42
Elizavetino Manor Near St Petersburg, Russia
#43
A Restored Lutheran Church In Zorkino, Russia. It Was Originally Used By The Volga Germans, Who Founded The Then Mostly German Town Of Zürich (Now Zorkino). The Inside Was Also Restored, Complete With Wooden Balconies And German Text Above The Altar
#44
Hotel Cișmigiu, Bucharest, Romania | Arghir Culina | 1912
PurpleUnicorn 1 year ago
Comparison would've been better if both pictures were taken from the same angle
#45
Philadelphia's Lost A Lot Of Architecture, But In The Last Few Years Some Real Gems Have Been Saved! 2014 vs. 2019
#46
Water Pumping Station, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, Built In 1909
Tuesday's child 1 year ago
I wish that something had been done around the building instead of dirt
#47
Mid-17th Century Raudondvaris Renaissance Castle In Lithuania (Only Ever Intended To Be Used Residentially Despite Its Colloquial Title Of "Castle"). In 1967–1975, It Was Saved From Ruination Along With Having Inauthentic Additions Of Later Eras Removed
#48
Buda Castle's Royal Riding Hall (Hungary): Before Ww2, After… And Since 2019
聖楷Thomas 1 year ago
This does not belong here, because it was not »saved«, it was destroyed during WW II, and the remains utterly removed on the 1950s. So this is a completely new building. Besides this, I find this example very problematic: Some 120 years ago, towards end of the Austrian-Hungarian Empire, the original building was commissioned as a riding hall for the emperor, so absolutely private, not intended for the people, for the public, but for the ruling elite. The Neo-Baroque style was specifically meant to be adapt for the aristocracy. So if a democratic country in the 21st century decides to construct a conference centre, but decides to copy a building from an undemocratic past and of another function: what does this tell about the decision makers?
#49
A Former Monastery And Chapel On One Of The Oldest Streets In Vilnius, Lithuania. Pictured From Top To Bottom Are: A Facade Scheme (1834), A Google Street View Screenshot (2012) And Ongoing Works (2020) Across The Rest Of The Massive Ensemble
Add New Image
What do you think ?
sturmwesen 1 year ago
They are renovating a old public bath in the neighbouring town... still a work in progess, but https://bayern-online.de/nuernberg/erleben/sehenswuerdigkeiten/volksbad/
Bored Birgit 1 year ago
These are all so satisfying. Nice to see that so many buildings are restored and re-valued. It costs tons of money, but the result is stunning in every single building.
Michael Violette 1 year ago
There are a few old buildings in NYC that were torn down that I would love to see back again.
Tyranamar Seuss 1 year ago
So many beautiful buildings in Russia. Glad they're restoring them instead of destroying them for being "decadent" as was done during communism. Wonder what's going on in China after that whole Cultural Revolution fiasco.
John Miller (Pere_grin6) 1 year ago
The definitions are completely incorrect. Thatching: using straw and grass to create a roof. Gilding: application of gold and other precious materials for decor. Carpentry: woodworking. Blacksmithing: metalworking. Stoneworking: just as it sounds. The technical term is "masonry".
sofacushionfort 1 year ago
Should we acknowledge that much of the hard labor required to restore these architectural gems in Western Europe was performed by migrants post-Berlin Wall and Arab Spring, and in the US pre-“Build the Wall!”?
sturmwesen 1 year ago
They are renovating a old public bath in the neighbouring town... still a work in progess, but https://bayern-online.de/nuernberg/erleben/sehenswuerdigkeiten/volksbad/
Bored Birgit 1 year ago
These are all so satisfying. Nice to see that so many buildings are restored and re-valued. It costs tons of money, but the result is stunning in every single building.
Michael Violette 1 year ago
There are a few old buildings in NYC that were torn down that I would love to see back again.
Tyranamar Seuss 1 year ago
So many beautiful buildings in Russia. Glad they're restoring them instead of destroying them for being "decadent" as was done during communism. Wonder what's going on in China after that whole Cultural Revolution fiasco.
John Miller (Pere_grin6) 1 year ago
The definitions are completely incorrect. Thatching: using straw and grass to create a roof. Gilding: application of gold and other precious materials for decor. Carpentry: woodworking. Blacksmithing: metalworking. Stoneworking: just as it sounds. The technical term is "masonry".
sofacushionfort 1 year ago
Should we acknowledge that much of the hard labor required to restore these architectural gems in Western Europe was performed by migrants post-Berlin Wall and Arab Spring, and in the US pre-“Build the Wall!”?
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