2 Pine Walk villas being demolished

[clinkham]

Anything less than an exact replica would be a sham.

Wouldn't a replica be a sham?

 

[eleanor]

Your post is coming over a little aggresive but I assume that is because you feel passion for something.
I don't think I have missed the point at all! What is history if a place looks a mess? I also think people have the right to opinion and I believe that sometimes it is right to move on. The history doesn't mean anything if a place is falling apart. Personally I would much rather see an area that looks well cared for and tidy whatever the age of the property. A run down place will do little to encourage people to return. I'm talking in general terms here and not directing my comments to the property in Pine Walk. I have no comment to make regarding the design of the replacement building as I have no idea what is planned and will hold off until more is known. You state that in your opinion this is about greed and you may well be right. If the re-construction is for greed then it still does not mean that it will bring with it poor design. I'm sure a good sympathetic architect with alround experience will do their best to ensure that good design is adopted but of course the final say on the design would be that of the client. It would be interesting to know who the architects are.

 

[Nick]

Passionate, not aggressive !!!!!

Everyone has an opinion of course but I disagree the site is a mess ?? It's full of lovely pine trees with a beautiful old wall around it. I've never seen any rubbish etc in the lovely minimal grounds. The building is on one level and is made of lovely old stone. A "proper" house ; - )

sws97sdg - no, not that one. Further around right on the corner where it indeed does dog-leg. Halfway along the Pine Walk. It's in a big plot, you can't miss it.

Anyone want to come and squat in it so they can't knock it down. We could have a great summer in there !!!!

 

[Belladonna]

I wonder if it is possible to reuse old stone in rebuilding? Eleanor, would your husband know this? I know old bricks are reused as are old tiles, so I cant see the problem - but what would I know! If the building is in a dangerous condition through neglect or just plain old age, then it would need to be refurbished anyway before anyone can live in it. Maybe its too far gone for that.

 

[eleanor]

Old stone, bricks and tiles are often used in refurbishment projects Bella but as you say they have to be fit for purpose. It is often cheaper to use new then to attempt to re-cycle. Also of course if more are needed then resourcing from elsewhere to match can be a problem too as well as time consuming. This would all add to the cost of the project.

Hubby isn't here for me to ask at present Bella but from past conversations he has said that the client has the final decision. If the client decided to demolish and rebuild then that is that as long as the relevent permissions are in place. The architect will work within spec alongside the client. It may well be that a property has already in place documentation and permissions prior to bringing an architect on board.
We don't know what decisions have been made for this property and it may well be that it is cheaper to rebuild then to refurbish. I believe someone said that the property belonged to Mawfren (?) sorry can't remember correct name for spelling. I believe these people are agents themselves and if I am correct would probably already have papers in order.

 

[alittleplum]

Anyone want to come and squat in it so they can't knock it down. We could have a great summer in there !!!!

i'm up for it!!!!!

 

[pescador2009]

I ought to team up with 'Eleanor's husband' as I have worked in Architecture for all my working life; hence my original post and interest in all things P.P.
Old is not always good for starters! Old is even worse when it is not looked after. Buildings do have a lifespan (like people) and if not looked after correctly do deteriorate.
It seems like NPN is like a lot of folks when it comes to 'old' - it must be good, it must be saved. Well, that is not always the case!
The Building he mentions on the Pine Walk is/has been a fine building - particularly so 'in it's hey-day'. It stands on a very generous site with lots of very mature trees, I believe some of these many trees may have done damage to said building's structure over the years. Yes it is a big site and it would be fairly tragic to see any change for changes sake. It really wants someone with about half a million Euro's or so to invest to bring it back to its best. I'm sure it could be done. Some trees would have to go.
So, some demolition of poor quality buildings - be they old or not - can only do good if the replacement is better. It's very subjective, this is not always the case as there is a lot of bad design (and always has been) but there is good design. We are in the 21st century and our designers need to reflect this for the future.
Regarding Eleanor's comment about the Client having the last word, I would have thought the Local Planning Authority would have the greater say in what they would actually allow. The only trouble with Planners is that they are not specifically trained in design like architects are.

 

[alittleplum]

I must admit I have mixed feelings about this situation having been a regular PP visitor ‘on an off” since the early seventies and seen this villa and many others in glorious Technicolor it is so sad to see them disappear and be replaced by mediocre concrete flats/café/burger houses/whatever. I agree with pescador that surly the planning authority should have the greater say in what is built /restored, but if it is like our local planning authority they probably can’t see past TESCO McDonalds etc., etc. Having spent most of my working life restoring listed and ancient buildings I know about expense and care needed in the upkeep, but how would the demolition of the Shambles and other older streets affect visitor numbers to York? I realise PP needs to keep up with the times and I for one enjoy swimming pools and new villas with Wi-Fi etc. but do we have to destroy the heart of PP and the pine walk to provide this. I for one don’t think so!!

They paved paradise and put up a parkin' lot
With a pink hotel, a boutique, and a swingin' hot spot
Don't it always seem to go
That you don't know what you got till it's gone

 

[Nick]

"It really wants someone with about half a million Euro's or so to invest to bring it back to its best. I'm sure it could be done. Some trees would have to go."

Now that I have no problem with. Obviously investment to keep it standing and improve it is one thing but demolition of the lovely old building, ripping down the trees and erecting say a block of 20 boring apartments is another thing.

I just think it would be nice, and beneficial to the port, to keep the older buildings wherever possible so that the kind of people who return year after year keep doing so.

Would anyone really want PP to turn into a Magalluf or Benidorm for goodness sake?!
If it did, I would sell up and buy elsewhere..............and so would many others.

Oh, and do all architects know best then ?! They are employed and will virtually do as their client suggests..............'cos they're paying them !!

 

[pollensafan]

For what it's worth, can anyone give an example of something that was demolished on the pine walk and replaced with a better building. All i've ever seen is apartments go up. talking of sympathetic architects i can only assume the guy that built the pollensa park hotel was on drugs.

 

[Nick]

Very funny, made my day............!!!

The architect, or someone else involved in the Pollensa Park eyesore monstrosity, must also have been bent 'cos it's been built too high and is therefore illegal !!!
Why has that heap not been demolished ??

I assume it's only because they pay that annual fine.

 

[eleanor]

Oh, and do all architects know best then ?! They are employed and will virtually do as their client suggests..............'cos they're paying them !!

Oh dear NPN whatever has happened in your life for you to have such a negative attitude towards architects??

No of course architects do not just go along with the client to enable them to cash a cheque. Can I remind you that it takes 7 years to qualify as an architect. the same as a doctor. Architects have their own minds and they too have to be aware of ensuring buildings are safe as any danger to life because of their failure or their design would not be acceptable. What I actually meant was that often the client has in mind their own idea of what they would like and an architect would use their developed skills to ensure that they would work alongside the client so his or her input was recognised and valued too. For example - if you were to have a property designed and you wanted traditional you would not be happy if ultra modern was designed would you? So therefore the architect would work with you to enable your thoughts and ideas to be respected. Of course planning authorities (if there are any!) have input too.
As for the Pollensa Park - well Yes i'm sure it has made your day and I think that many of us can agree on what a ghastly place this is.
I would ask you to please refrain from suggesting that all architects are on the fiddle and only interested in their cheque. Like any profession there will always be the few who perhaps have their own agendas but I can assure you that the majority value their designs, are totally professional and feel a total pride on seeing their designs built. - Tomorrows history!! And of course Architects can be struck off which is a very high price to pay for wrong doing!

 

[Sparky]

Ok guys, i have let this run but i think you have all made your opinions known, so lets just leave it now. Thanks .

 

[pollensafan]

Very funny, made my day............!!!

The architect, or someone else involved in the Pollensa Park eyesore monstrosity, must also have been bent 'cos it's been built too high and is therefore illegal !!!
Why has that heap not been demolished ??

I assume it's only because they pay that annual fine.

In all fairness the local council did refuse permission for the building of this but they were overuled at the time by madrid.

Out of interest if you look at a picture taken from above the pollensa park forms a large " Y " shape. Which incidentley is what i think everytime i look at it , Y oh Y lol

 

[Baron de Lay]

I've just got back from working away and seen the interest my post has generated. Looking at the Marfran website, it has been re-vamped from the last time I looked. A couple of months ago there was definitely a picture of the site in question, with the villa blanked out and a computer generated image of a block of apartments in it's place. The web page was asking for 'expressions of interest in the development'.

My aversion to the demolition of the Pinewalk's beautiful old villas is certainly not caused by any dislike of architects, or anybody else for that matter - but I would ask this:

If all the beautiful, historic buildings in say London, Florence or Paris were demolished and replaced with modern blocks, then it may well be 'progress' - but would it be likely to make more or less people wish to visit?

I think we all know the answer.

 

[lollipop]

There was somebody in this villa yesterday as all the shutters were open and sun beds out as we walked one way and the shutters closed when we came back.

 

[Baron de Lay]

There was somebody in this villa yesterday as all the shutters were open and sun beds out as we walked one way and the shutters closed when we came back.

The villa is actually owned by the couple who own and run Marfran estate agents. They live there.

 

[sws97sdg]

and as you can see from the photos earlier in the thread it is far from run down, glad to see them using it anyway!

 

[Nick]

Anyway, someone's got to be able to afford the no doubt extortionate price to buy the site, then fees to develop it and the building costs in the hope that people in this current economic climate then buy !!!

So all's not lost yet.............

 

[cumberland8]

Sorry, I meant restored to its original beauty.