#11: Circular Structure

And so it goes. The Expositor reported that City Hall has agreed on a proposal of what to do with the south side of Colburne, and the best idea is to rip is all down and build a YMCA/WLU complex center. The heritage committed has raised its concern for the facades of the older buildings, but it was reported that the concern is largely on the heritage committee, and not the council. For Brantford, the way of renewal is not through thought and good design, but rather just to destroy and start again. So in that regard it's a fitting project.

However, every instance within the last 20 years of them doing such projects have resulted in total failure. A superbock was created for the Eaton's Mall, and is now largely occupied by branches of the City Hall. The parking garage that almost spans two blocks is mostly vacant, and offered no resurgence to the downtown (as was its intention), but rather a reason to not visit the area. Both of these projects required the change of Market Street from a through way, to a T-intersection that stops in front of the Eaton's. Market street was once the gateway to downtown but now causes most drivers take roads that circle around the core, instead of driving through it. Limiting the access to any area will diminish its success.

Avoiding downtown, however, is exactly what most of the resdients want. It's depressing to see an area of heritage loose to decay and neglect. I can understand why they would circumvent Dalhousie and Colborne.

Most recently, the City tore down a brownfield site and rejected a proposed hotel (one that would have been right next to the casino) and instead approved a strip mall and Price Choppers. I'm certain the Blockbuster is a major draw to many of that area - and certainly provides more revenue then a hotel next to the casino. Hmm, no wait, I can go to a Blockbusters anywhere (and usually choose not to). The development was most likley created to provide easy commerce opportunities to the people within Eagle Place (name for the surronding area), but any of the the corporate boxes built could have easily been reworked into South Colborne (one-two blocks away).

Now with the Y complex proposal, they again make a building that requires you to drive there. Homes are being removed, and instead yet another destination place is being created. Now of the previous destination places have worked; I'm not sure why they think this place will.
What that area needs is to think of a village. Provide mix-used housing, medium density, and keep as much of the heritage buildings as possible. Reworking a site creates more jobs and costs less then building brand new.

This is all very negative, but it's disappointing to see people try to do their best and fall completely short of their ambitions. It's just frustrating seeing all this happen, and not having the voice to convince people that what they are doing is wrong.

Throughout this blog I've shown the history of my Brantford. How the canning factory in Simcoe reminded me of my roots here, and why the Downtown area is truly a site of what could be. The industrial artitechture is clearly something that I'm most drawn to - not only becuase they are wonders of artitechture but also becuase of the vast importance to our heritage, our very definition of the City of Brantford, and our overall community ideology. From the start I was just gathering single elements and pieces of what I liked, and it was the City itself that created a narrative structure.

The encouragement and passionate comments I received after my presentation was more then I've ever recieved in my planning classes; proving that everyone is concerned about what happens to a city - even if it's not theirs. I plan to continue this blog and to showcase the areas of forgotten Brantford. They hold more to me then any of the sites focused on for tourists.

#10: Revitalized Railway Bridge: Putting it All Together

Brant's Landing

Revitalized Railway Bridge: Putting it All Together

Brownfield redevelopment doesn't necessarily have to be turning abandoned factories into lofts. Here is a fantastic example of taking unused industrial structure and making it a useful and incredibly popular piece.

The bridge is connected to now defunt railway lines (some still exist, but it's clear they are no longer used) that traveled to the Cockshutt plant and the industrial sector along Greenwich St (which I learned is the old Massey Ferguson factory). Adding this bridge is a great way to finish my collection, as it not only is a piece of fantastic industrial readaptaion but also make a physical link to my first posts. Without the building of this bridge much of the industrial sectors of Brantford would not have been able to connect with the rest of Ontario. Aditionally, this is the site plaqued as where Chief Joesph Brant forded the river. Thus, the name of the City and it's very reason for prosperity exsist within these two photos.

While taking these shots I had to wait for people to leave the bridge, as it was constantly being used by byclists, families on a walk, and an elderly man checking out the younger women. -Signs of pedestrian traffic is a definitive sign of a complete success.

#9: Via Rail

Via Rail Station

Brantford

It's amazing how the aspects of collecting individual pieces over the past months have created their own narrative structure. One of my first pieces was the Yates Castle and within that post I commented on how it was built from the wealth gathered by being a railway mogul. Taken cues from the newspaper's report on the sale of Yates Castle, it really only is logical to focus on the piece of industry that made the Yates' Mansion.

This station is the heart of what formed Brantford - the railway and industry. As a sign of what Brantford could be (or at least, what is once was) the Via Rail station is a clear stature of connected heritage among the residents (and within this collection). Classic industrial design and a great introduction to the City of Brantford by anyone coming in by the train. Great pride is still taken within this station. The lines of the building are sharp and bold, the bricks have aged accordingly - blackened by the soot and exhaust of first coal trains and now disel. It's a beautiful mess that doesn't require cleaning; making this station shine would be a horse of a different colour.

As a sign of architecture, and to reinforce my comments within my Expositor article, the Via Rail station is something that can never be replaced and is, esstentially, snap-shot of an era. The work gone into building this piece, all the little details, are some that now cost too much and ones that many people just don't seem to care about anymore.

The Harmony Square (a set of buildings constructed downtown to increase pedistrian traffic flow and interactions) was designed to immitate the styles of the trainstations. Sharp lines, blend into a few curved places and the trim (though not wood trim like the station here) is a lighter brick. The Square is something I may post later, but it's absolutly the opposite of this thesis - faux brownfield (new urbanist).

When I was a kid, someone told my Mom that I had an old soul. I think that my connection to buildings like these really shows that even though I'm younger then those on city council I seem to appreciate, or understand, the importance of heritage to the city. They always seem to confuse new with good. Luckily the railway line is ingrained into the image of Brantford, it's not a piece I'll have to fight for.

8b: Yates on Paper

Man's home really is castle

EXTRA! Yates Castle, a piece of local history, is for sale

Posted By SUSAN GAMBLE, EXPOSITOR STAFF

Updated 1 day ago

Just two families have owned the remarkable house called Wynarden in the past 145 years.

But now there's a chance for a third person to own the stuff of dreams: a "castle."

The remarkable Wynarden property up for sale -- commonly known as Yates Castle -- is one of the most unusual homes in the city, but also a bit of a mystery.

The Talos family, owners for the last 80 years, avoided publicity to some degree.

They declined home and garden tours because of the number of tenants who live on the property and, except for a massive renovation that took place in the 1980s, the home has rarely been brought to the public's attention.

Painters and photographers have found the allure of the house and it has been written about in architectural books. But the best way of discovering Yates Castle has been serendipitously -- getting lost behind Terrace Hill Street on Usher Street and gasping at the startling sight of the mansion sitting across from the train tracks.

Henry Rushton Yates was the railway magnate who built the house and spared no expense.

His legacy was raved about in The Expositor of 1865: "It has splendid suites of rooms for all

Yours for $1,855,000

continued within:

http://www.brantfordexpositor.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1478182

#8: Update on Yates

Opening the Saturday paper this week was a shocking surprise; the Yates mansion is up for sale. The very same mansion that I posted a month ago is now ready to buy for the asking price of 1.8 million. That is more money then I will ever see, but seems like a fair price to ask for such a fantastic piece.

The article was big talk at work. It was actually the most talked about non-political article and it was great to see non-Brantford residents know of the place. Even better, was to see that the life-long residents of Brantford had no idea what we were talking about.

The paper actually reminded me that I've met the owners of this place, as they are friends of my parents and have been for years. Clearly I should take him up on his offer to give me a tour of the place, before it's sold to someone not as open.

I've posted a section of the newspaper (8b) and some great pictures taken for the paper, and a link to the actual article.

http://www.brantfordexpositor.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1478182

April 16th 2009: I've taken off the photos I orginally added, as they were not mine. They can, however, be viewed by following the above link to the Brantford Expositor.)

#7: Letter to the Editor

Being completely outraged by the lack of respect Brantford has for itself, I had to vent in a public forum. The response was generally positive, but my grandmother was concerned about how I attacked the one council member. 

An interesting side note, two days after the paper printed the following letter I attended a public planning session about the Grand River. Everyone had to wear the traditional name tag, and during the many group sessions I noticed other people pointing at my name. I was very confused because, at that time, had not realized my letter had been published.

Here is the letter published in the Brantford Expositor:

Living in and around the City of Brantford for that past 30 years I really should be surprised to hear another downtown building is labeled as unsuitable and scheduled for demolition – this is a city obsessed with the notion that through destruction we’ll find our salvation. Yet, I read last week that the Esquire Theatre, a marvel in art deco design, is to be torn down. Councilor Richard Carpenter is even quoted as saying he’d agree with a plan to “demolish every building on the south side of Colbourn”. What has this city done to deserve such disrespect to its physical history? How has Brantford wronged you Mr. Carpenter? Perhaps the most important rhetorical question: “Why does this always happen in Brantford?”
As a planning student I’ve taken special interest in Brantford and learned one very important aspect of heritage buildings: once they’re gone, they’re gone. If only this building had fur and big cute eyes it would be regarded as the true urban endangered species it really is.
Destroying the south side of Colborne (starting with this building) will be the culmination of failure that is the City Council. The ideology behind urban renewal – the act of city planning via demolition and rebuilding – doesn’t work and has never truly worked. The Eaton’s Mall, Market Street reconstruction, and the parking plaza are example of renewal attempts and all complete failures in architecture, cultural, and social concerns. Council should be looking into why downtown is not success, why it’s vacant and not allow classic brick to be replaced with steel and glass.

#6: Esquire Theatre

Esquire Theatre

Brantford, On

Clearly, I've been lacking the weekly posting - but I have been gathering a lot of pictures of the area. A lot of developments have also happened within the area, and they fit this project's idiom perfectly.

  

   I can't remember ever being in this building, but it is a symbol for how things in Brantford are done wrong.

   The Esquire is a (former) theatre built in 1934, designed during a period of art deco. Art deco, by-the-way, is my person favourite style of architecture and one that seems to be sacrificed more then any others in this area. The style is usually very different from surrounding buildings, and it sticks out. Currently, the building is vacant due a fire that happened within the last 10 years. Stating that, I have to state the obvious: this building hasn't been used in 10 years. How do we subject timeless pieces of art to such disregard and allow massive construction of completely disposable retail strips? Too many times does free parking come out as the only answer.

  My first introduction to this piece was within the Brantford Expositor. City Council is currently judging if this piece is even worth saving, or if it's better to completely demolish and leave a gapping hole until some 'better' idea comes about. The city's heritage community is asking to keep the falc

onish statue that adorns the tops...but they haven’t said anything about how simple it is to keep the facade. It's all rather disappointing.

#5: Steel Staircase

I like the look of old metal on a building - which is, to say, I like buildings with black metal outcroppings and not the contemporary brush look. Staircases made of this cast iron is made to get worn with age, much like how a copper roof is more appropriated after years of oxidation.

As a component I'm aware that cast iron is not as safe for the interior construction of a building: it has very little 'give' and becomes weak when exposed to hot heat. Still, many of the the lofts being created from older factories will consist of large support beams made out of cast iron and seem to be a big proponent in the style of these lofts.

Exterior fire escapes act as perfect design. They are both a life saving device and interesting to look at.

Currently this is a portion of a massive factory site - all of it in disuse - fenced off by the City. I would very much like to get access and make visual records of what is left.

#1: Canning Factory

Canning Factory

Simcoe, Ontario

   To start off the blog I had to find a place that I've been fascinated with for over a decade: the Simcoe Canning Factory. Sure it's not within the Grand River watershed, but if I'm not going to follow my own directions it's best to do immediately.

  

  It's located just outside of the downtown core of Simcoe and has a style of architecture unlike anything in the area. Currently the factory is completely vacant and surrounded by a massive fence discouraging anyone interested (perhaps to save any windows that remain intact). As a synergic history moment, for a summer I worked at the Waterford Museum some years ago (Waterford being a short distance away from Simcoe) and that building used to be a pickle factory. No doubt those pickles were sent here for canning.

  As a concept this building was my introduction to brown-field redevelopment. Initially in the early 1990's the proposal was to turn the factory into condominiums. From what I remember the suites were selling well, but the investor (or a key money-man) left the country with all the money. Now it just stands as a curiosity piece.

   

  If someone is able to actually turn this factory into a loft system - a style that is incredibly trendy and profitable right now - the water tower has to stay.

#3: Wynarden

Wynarden (also known as Yates Castle)

Brantford, Ontario

   This place was introduced to me by my Grandfather (Papa) about 10 years ago - when I was living with my grandparents for school. I remember getting a ride home and he took this detour, I think to show me that Brantford actually has (or had) a wealthy class at some point.

  The house was commissioned by Henry Yates of the Great West Railway and built in the Tudor style.

   As a house this one is an oddity. It's located right next to the Brantford railway station (which is understandable as to the nature of the owner) and is surrounded by much different houses. The lot is very large, any neighbours that tend their property (which is rare) don't have much to look after. The majority of neighbours have lower income housing. The trees surrounding the property are now old and thick enough to isolate this place from everything - short of the railway lines; the house faces those.

  On the whole, I've mostly interested in older factories and portions of cities that have once been 'the' place and now are a place to avoid. This house is a deviation from the industrial detritus, but was a direct result of industrial wealth.

#4: Market Street Warehouse

Warehouse

Brantford

  When I ask people (people that live in Brantford) what they think of Brantford it's general negative. I'm certain this is more the age of the people I ask - because my parents still enjoy many portions and sections of Brantford. This picture is a great representation of what the idea of Brantford is to those unaware of what really is.

  The building is a fantastic example of what Brantford is and what it could be. A place only remembered by kids and wandering students within reach of a random rock. Wire fence that wasn't strong enough to hold people back and had to be augmented with barbed wire (thus only making a break-in even more exciting).

  The area around this building is the remnants of a massive factory (or a industrial center full of different factories) and is entirely sealed off by the City of Brantford. I haven't seen any planning notices posted anywhere near the sight so I'm assuming nothing is in the works - or at least no plans to demoish it.

  As a building it's perfect for brownfield re-development but the location is lacking. Major re-zoning would be needed and the current housing is low-income (and unfortunatly reflects that). However, it would be a great city project to get this area running again.

#2: Cockshutt Factory

Cockshutt Factory

Brantford Ontario

   I remember this place being much bigger. 10 years ago I worked at the Brantford Landfill - nepotism of the extreme - and drove by this factory many times. This picture was taken last summer and out front was a massive sign posted by the City of Brantford.

"BROWNFIELD SITE CLEAN-UP INITATIVE" "Demolition of the former Cockshutt Plow Company Buildings. Completetion July,  2005"

  What I like most about that sign was the intent to make it seem like a service for the community. The remaining building is a minuet portion of what was built in the early 20th century. On the black/white photo it is the building to the far left - and only the portion that could be called a bookend.

  When I look at what the plant once was I can imagine what it could currently be - an entire sustainable community model full of shopping and residence. Brantford seems to let me down a lot of time when it comes to heritage buildings. I probably should just lower my expectations.

(Source: www.cockshutt.com)

It begins...delayed.

This is the beginning of a blog that will document buildings throughout the Grand River watershed that interest me - building or aspects of the building. This blog will include places that have influenced me during the past couple years; either from they're history or unique aspects.

Because the weather has been warmer in Moscow for the past month, then here in Brantford, the first pics will be from my summer collection. The build-up of snow has created an unwelcome photo opportunities.

Also, using Internet magic all the posted photo's will be linked and enlargeable.