I promise to get back to some postings about things other than the city that fades away series. (I have an upcoming set of posts about opera in Buenos Aires). But here’s another place on Virrey Cevallos that I came across, this time in the corner of Constitución rather than Monserrat.
Okay, the building that it replaced (again courtesy of the city’s mapping site) was long neglected and the ground floor destroyed. What were they thinking? That ground floor looked like the entrance to a prison.
Certainly, demolition and building new was cheaper than attempting a restoration. Not only is it amazing at the rate that older structures are being torn down, it’s astonishing at the many beautiful residences that have become low-income housing.
January 23rd, 2008 at 8:29 pm
OK, this is what I say: GET A LIFE DUDE OR DUDETTE. Why do you spend all or most of your time focusing on the negatives of a city that is really great? I am quite sure, you were not born in Buenos Aires; and therefore you have no emotional connection to it; which is obvious. If you currently live there, then you owe this grand city more than posting photos of buildings that have seen better days. For if you live in Buenos Aires, there is obviously a reason for that: YOU LIKE IT AND THE FOLKS THERE MADE YOU FEEL WELCOME.
I have been (from time to time), checking your site, and honestly, I feel like you are a very angry person who has nothing better to do. FOCUS ON THE POSITIVE, START POSTING THINGS ABOUT WHAT MAKES BUENOS AIRES A GREAT COSMOPOLITAN CITY. By the way, where do you come from? Surely you are no “Porteno”, because people born and/or raised in Buenos Aires, feel proud of their city, even with all its defects. But then again, what city is perfect??? I hope you will post this comment, if you are an honest person, you will.
January 24th, 2008 at 12:03 am
Hey, Trent –
Thanks for your comment. That’s the type of comment that makes blogging fun, but Trent, man, chill out.
Now, obviously you didn’t bother to read much of my blog since you don’t know if I’m a dude or a dudette. My name is on every page of this site…see that image link over on the right to the e-book? Did you read the free e-book by me, which is a compilation of postings from this blog? The very first page tells where I’m from and why I came here. (But, yes, I should post a photo for those who don’t bother to read closely).
It’s true that these buildings have seen better days and maybe they’re not very historic buildings in the city but it’s a fact that the city is undergoing a great change due to the rapid demolition of older structures. And, yes, there are plenty of porteños who are talking about this topic, too. Just see these blogs which are about nothing but this topic, as written by porteños:
protegerbarracas.blogspot.com
basta-de-demoler.blogspot.com
Also, look in the Argentina forums on skyscraper.com for more discussions. Almost everyone in that forum is Argentine and plenty are not pleased at the demolition that is happening in this city.
Now, for your personal comment that I must be a very angry person…I’m actually a very positive, optimistic person …extremely so. Indeed, I’ll buy you a cup of coffee so that we can chat about Buenos Aires. Let me know when you want to get together. Then, after meeting me, you can make a real judgment about my character.
Meanwhile, this is my blog (not your blog) and I will write what I want to write about. Again, thanks for the comment. BTW, I’ve gotten almost 900 comments on this site in the last 3 years and yours is only the 2nd to rebuke me for not being more positive about BsAs.
Peace.
January 30th, 2008 at 7:14 am
This is an interesting article about many of the things you write regarding architecture in BsAs:
http://adncultura.lanacion.com.ar/nota.asp?nota_id=981010&origen=premium
January 30th, 2008 at 9:40 am
Hi Ricky, Thanks for that link. That is a good article. I’ve been intending to blog about it, but just haven’t gotten around to it.
February 10th, 2008 at 8:39 pm
Dear Jeff,
thanks so much for mentioning Proteger Barracas in this great website.
And thanks also for giving us all a perfect vision of our city from your foreign -but sharp- eyes.
Keep going and stay in touch
Ignacio