The Simpson Building is a historic, brick building located in downtown Mount Dora, Florida. Built in 1925 it originally served as a hotel; current day the four storefront spaces on the main level are rented to four different business owners, with each store operating a separate HVAC system. From the exterior, the building appears toContinue reading “Condition Survey: Simpson Building, Mount Dora, Florida”
Tag Archives: Historic Preservation
Condition Survey: 535 Donnelly Street, Mount Dora, Florida
The Donnelly House was built in 1893 in Mount Dora, Florida, by John P. Donnelly, originally of Pittsburgh, PA. Mr. Donnelly had moved from Pittsburgh to Mount Dora in 1879 and became the town’s first mayor. This house was built years later and was designed by the architect George Franklin Barber, as a mail orderContinue reading “Condition Survey: 535 Donnelly Street, Mount Dora, Florida”
The Great Scrape vs. Antiscrape Debacle
Viollet-Le-Duc advocated for restoration, even rebuilding, while Morris and Ruskin stressed authenticity, opposing unnecessary alterations. The ideal approach might lie in finding a balance—evaluating each structure’s condition and determining the best course of action, whether through minimal restoration or maintaining the original form.
Gentrification
Revitalization is a positive and progressive practice that brings new life and vitality to rundown and depressed areas. Of the many benefits that come from revitalization efforts, increased economic activity, new employment opportunities, safer streets, and new activities and amenities are at the top. Unfortunately, as with anything there is a balancing part of thisContinue reading “Gentrification”
Expansion of the National Main Street Program
As many downtowns nationwide began to face their decline and shift into irrelevance as the suburbs began taking over, the National Trust for Historic Preservation took a concerted interest to research what was really going on behind this decline and if there was anything that could be done to save the fate of downtowns fromContinue reading “Expansion of the National Main Street Program”
Zoning Laws
Once zoning became adopted within city planning protocol, cities that were already in place had to adapt to these new regulations. City centers and downtowns at this tine had been thriving as they included a diverse mixture of businesses and residences. It was the fact that they incorporated different uses and functions for different citizensContinue reading “Zoning Laws”
Retail Practices
Retail practices were influenced by the introduction and implementation of new zoning regulations that were a complete opposite to the former downtown organization that had revolved around an effective mixture of residences and businesses. These new zoning regulations dictated that functions would now be separated and grouped into residential, commercial and industrial zones in differentContinue reading “Retail Practices”
Europe Versus America
Although there are many similarities between European and American cities, their differences tend to outweigh one another. The majority of the physical differences are due to deep-rooted and long enforced policies that European countries and governments take most seriously as methods to control growth within their cities. Whereas in the United States, very different objectivesContinue reading “Europe Versus America”
Interior Assessment: the Shamrock Building and the Renaissance Building, Mount Dora, Florida
The two buildings that documented were the Shamrock Building and the Renaissance Building. Both of these buildings are important buildings in the downtown historic district of Mount Dora, as they were usefully implemented additions to the area. Since their original construction, they have been modified to provide better functionality for their new uses throughout theContinue reading “Interior Assessment: the Shamrock Building and the Renaissance Building, Mount Dora, Florida”
Mass-Produced Copies and Hyper-Developed Skeletons of Our Once Quaint Towns and Cities
I believe our cities and towns have lost a lot of their uniqueness, making it difficult to distinguish between one place and another. Every town has similar big box retailers, food chains, shopping malls, and the like, which eventually turn into vacant areas once suburban sprawl shifts into another direction. Originally every town had somethingContinue reading “Mass-Produced Copies and Hyper-Developed Skeletons of Our Once Quaint Towns and Cities”
Heritage Matters 