May 13, 2013
Blog ArchivesAdaptive Reuse in Edinburgh: Victorian Swimming Pool Repurposed as Dovecot Studios
The internal balconies, pillars and ceiling supports – grand in a functional way – boast all the hallmarks of a former Victorian swimming pool. Read more about Dovecot Studios and adaptive reuse.
Conceptual Images of the Proposed Bloomingdale Trail Linear Urban Park in Chicago
These conceptual images show the proposed Bloomingdale Trail, an exciting new linear urban park in Chicago built along the route of the abandoned Bloomingdale Line – a former railway featured previously on Urban Ghosts.
Old Railway Track Adapted for Reuse as Footpath
Many abandoned railways have been repurposed as greenways, such as New York City’s phenomenally popular High Line. But here’s a slightly different example – where the rails themselves define the footpath.
A Brief Introduction to Adaptive Reuse – The Practice of Repurposing Abandoned Structures
Adaptive reuse allows culturally and historically important buildings to be redeveloped and repurposed instead of demolished. This article offers a brief overview of the practice, with some diverse examples.
Façadism: The Practice of Constructing Modern Buildings Behind Historic Frontages
Façadism is the practice of maintaining the front walls of an historical building while demolishing its internal structure, roof and less notable external walls to make room for a newer building that satisfies modern demands.
Million Donkey Hotel: Medieval Ruins Repurposed as Unique Lodgings
Set in the side of a castle-topped hill, The Million Donkey Hotel is the puzzling name given to a collection of re-purposed structures in the older part of Prata Sannita, Italy.
Boekhandel Selexyz Dominicanen: 700-year-old Church Could be World’s Most Beautiful Bookshop
The stunning Boekhandel Selexyz Dominicanen, located in Maastricht, the Netherlands, is an 800-year-old former church that is arguably the world’s most beautiful bookshop.
Vienna’s ‘Gasometer’ Boasts Four Former Gas Bells Transformed into an Indoor Urban Village
Four gasometers in Vienna, Austria, have been protected landmarks since 1978. In 1995, four leading architects were tasked with giving each one into a unique urban complex.
Fichte-Bunker: Adaptive Reuse Transforms 19th Century Gasometer into 21st Century Apartments
The Fichte-Bunker in Berlin, Germany, is a 19th century gasometer and former World War Two air raid shelter that has been transformed into some extremely chic homes.
Bloomingdale Trail: Transforming an Abandoned Chicago Railroad into a Linear Urban Park
Linear urban parks utilising abandoned railway infrastructure are becoming increasingly popular, and Chicago’s Bloomingdale Trail (along with the QueensWay in NYC) could be the latest addition.
Athelstaneford: The Battle, the Cross and the ‘Book Nook’
The village of Athelstaneford, about 20 miles east of Edinburgh, is noticeable primarily for its pretty church, characteristic Scottish cottages and traditional red telephone kiosk, which now serves as the local book exchange, or ‘Book Nook’.
Blog of the Week: WebUrbanist
When we launched Urban Ghosts in 2009 and wanted to see what was already out there, a quick Google search for “abandoned places” revealed the brilliant WebUrbanist.
Hidden Treasures: The Spectacular Abandoned Stock Exchange Building in Antwerp
The ornate yet relatively unassuming exterior of Antwerp’s old Stock Exchange building hides a hidden treasure that has become a holy grail for urban explorers.
St Dunstan-in-the-East: Bombed-Out Church Re-imagined as Peaceful Urban Garden
One bombed-out ruin that has been positively reimagined for the postwar world is the church of St Dunstan-in-the-East in the City of London. Destroyed during the Blitz, it’s now a public garden.
New York’s First Subterranean Park: The Proposed ‘Lowline’ beneath Manhattan
Dan Barrasch and James Ramsey have proposed a mini utopia below the streets of Manhattan in the form of the ‘Lowline’, a repurposed streetcar depot abandoned since 1948.
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