'Saying goodbye... to make room for the new...' Real Estate

Lee from Pocitos - 12/10/09 05:35

While walking about town yesterday... I noticed it was time to say goodbye to a nice old house on Benito Blanco in Pocitos... looked like it's time to make room for a new condo (apartment) building.

Comment #1 Elaine (1) from Ireland - 12/10/09 07:06

"Loss of old buildings"

Although I understand Uruguay is a developing country and many countries in the stage tend to neglect their architecture, I think it is a real shame and all the changes will destroy the history and landscape of the city.

The idea that developers would be allowed to knock down this beautiful house and build yet another hideous tower block in a neighbourhood already destroyed (and in permanent shade!) by apartment blocks is just crazy!

So much money is being pumped into big glass structures (take those that have popped on on Plaza Independencia - hideous!) and yet the beautiful colonia buildings in Ciudad Vieja and Palermo are left to crumble. Its such a shame.

Comment #2 Linda from Montevideo - 12/10/09 10:07

"The Opposite View"

I must really take the opposite view. Keeping one dilapidated old house on a block of "skyscrapers" is like trying to pretend Uruguay is still living in the 1950s.

That house is completely out of place on the block and the economic demands of the future require that it be replaced with something that is architecturally and economically viable.

An great alternative I think would be to demolish all the tall buildings along the Rambla and for several blocks back and replace them with layered properties (ie: single story on the Rambla, two story on Benito Blanco and so on). Of course the Pocitos trolley cars should be put back in service too.

An artificial island could be built out a ways in the river (like Palm Islands in Dubai -- see my link below). Such an Island would have the skyscrapers built for the luxury housing needs of Montevideo.

But for now, let's just get rid of those ugly little houses that don't fit anymore.

• Palm Island Photos

Comment #3 tgibob from Thailand - 12/10/09 23:04

"History"

If you tear down everything you will never have a history will you

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