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One can refurbish or restore a heritage building, but not renovate it. Renovation means some essential alteration to the original concept.
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The Queen Victoria Building has undergone a "refurbishment" this year. However, that is political-speak, as the change to the escalator system is quite major. It has been renovated to bring the building up to the standards expected of buildings in the 21C with regard to access for disabled people and obligations with respect to public liability. I find the new escalators an intrusion.
However, they do make for excellent reflections.
Contemplate the reflections of others at the home of Weekend Reflections.
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Those escalators do interrupt the site lines of the building. I bet the original designer is rolling in his grave. Nevertheless, it looks like a fine place to spend an afternoon or two.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy the ornate details and reflections in the first two images where the escalator seems to blend in. But in the last view the escalator does seem overpowering. Your photography is exquisite!
ReplyDeleteA beautiful building...cool reflections...took me a minute to figure out what I was seeing...
ReplyDeleteWow, great pictures and reflections. What a building ...
ReplyDeleteHmmm, they do look very modern for such a grand old building. Your reflections of course are fantastic!
ReplyDeletethe last shot hurts my eyes and heart. such a lovely building - the sightlines destoyed.
ReplyDeletea stunning building nonetheless
ReplyDeleteGreat photos and you are right about the reflections. You are also right about the politically correct destruction of noble architecture.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was in Architecture School (long trip in the way-back machine) I often wondered when they would level the entire world in the interest of "fairness."
The reflection is fun - but it's a shame how the escalator looks in the building!
ReplyDeleteDon't think I've seen the new escalators. Must go and have a wander round over the break. I usually just cut straight through the basement level from near Myer to the Station. Top shot is terrific, took a while to realise what I was looking at.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the escalators do look a bit out of place in the architecture of this beautiful old building. But as a person who must use a wheelchair most of the time I can tell you that a multistory building with no escalator or elevator is simply inaccessible to me. Nothing is perfect.
ReplyDeleteI especially like the reflection in the first photo. Good eye!
ReplyDeleteOh, Julie, I love the renovation, cause I have seen one blogger who posted the same prior to this new and modern one. Look at the details on the rails.
ReplyDeleteI agree both on the intrusion and reflections!
One of the best post I have seen on this meme! And I enjoyed it!
A beautiful building spoiled by the escalators but I guess they are a necessity today.
ReplyDeleteA curb of some sort is missing. But they know better, right? :)
ReplyDeleteYou caught the right reflection though.
They do look out of place in that beautiful old building. The reflection is cool though.
ReplyDeleteFunny, I didn't notice the new escalators when I was there recently i.e. I didn't notice them as an intrusion but oddly I did notice the place is much easier to get around in these days, hadn't figured out why.
ReplyDeleteMarvelous reflections! I would like to see that building someday...I will say it photographs very well. Exquisite shots, especially the first, Julie.
ReplyDeleteWhat a building it is!!!The first snap is excellent, the reflections too...
ReplyDeletethat reflection could certainly throw you off! nice eye!
ReplyDeleteWow..great post and excellent captures. I haven't been there yet but love to visit there one day and do a bit of shopping.
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend
Distant memories of wandering this grand old lady! She still looks so warm and stunning in spite of the cold lines of the escalator!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful building, even with the necessary evil (visually, not funtionally) of the escalators. I love that first reflection shot.
ReplyDeleteThank you for joining my blog!
ReplyDeleteYour first reflection picture is really amazing, and the whole place very interesting. What a beautyful architecture!
Thanks for commenting on our Brisbane blog. I have only just joined Daily Photo. Not sure what I'm doing there, but anyway. The river was brown due to a few days heavy rain about 6 months ago.(an old photo)
ReplyDeleteYour photos are remarkable. The reflections are creative and so clear! And what a glorious building, but that last shot just breaks my heart. Couldn't they have put elevators in a less prominent location and saved that gorgeous sight line? Thanks for the visit and joining as a follower! Kathy
ReplyDeleteThese images are incredible! The lighting is just perfect and the reflections are awesome! They are beautiful!
ReplyDeleteMagical shots, even if the escalator is anachronistic.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the definition of terms. I needed that.
A visual reminder that the only constant in the world is CHANGE! Love that first shot ... most creative capture. Thanks for the visit to Small Reflections ;-)
ReplyDeleteHugs and blessings,
Your reflection shots are wonderful, but the escalators do look out of place in the grandeur of that building. I imagine the architects did the best they could with what they had to work with.
ReplyDeleteYour analysis is about right, Julie. Typically I leave my camera in "P" mode, unless I'm doing something where I need a specific shutter speed or aperture. Cheers!
ReplyDeleteThe Christmas stockings are actually Santa Clause pants. First time I ever seen them in the place of socks but that is what they are.
ReplyDeleteIt's just someone came up with a different Idea.
Thanks for dropping by This Blog Of mine and leaving your comment. I appreciate that Julie it's what makes blogging fun.
larry.
Tis The Season
The 'renovations' are extremely disappointing to me. I don't like the new colour scheme and I really hate the intrusive escalators and contemporary signage. I was just in Melbourne last week and saw some new signs in their beautiful shopping old arcades. They were designed to look like an old sign but had inbuilt lights. Don't know why they couldn't have done the same for the QVB. These recent 'renovations' are nothing to be proud of.
ReplyDeleteSydney - City and Suburbs
It's still a grand old building with lovely architectural details. We have a similar building in Rhode Island called the Arcade and it faced the same handicap requirements. Their solution was to install elevators off to the sides and leave the open atrium alone. Either way, our handicap friends do need access. Your reflections are wonderful. Nicely composed.
ReplyDeleteWow, Julie! What a great way to show your reflections! I love them.
ReplyDeleteYour reflections shot is really wonderful!
ReplyDeleteGreat reflections! But you're right ... the escalators really do look out of place.
ReplyDeleteI'll be more careful using those verbs, I wrongly thought they had the same meaning, but the difference seem quite precise. Elevators are'n great inside this building but seem to be the lesser evil...
ReplyDeleteHowever, after all is said and done, this is still one of the most impressive buildings in Sydney.
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