Friday, June 29, 2007

A rejuvenated neighborhood



I love the neighbourhood around my office. It's like an anachronistic small town plopped in the centre of a modern, vibrant city. It's full of renovated heritage homes, mature trees and luscious gardens. Each home different and unique. It's a neighborhood that actually feels like a neighborhood -- the antithesis of the cookie-cutter homes found in suburban subdivisions.


It wasn't always like this. Not too many years ago, the homes around here were run down and seedy. The older generation had moved on, moved out or died.


Homes once lovingly cared for were left to die a slow death to the wrecking ball or condo development.


Luckily, and just in the nick of time, people came to their senses and realized the importance of preserving something of the past. I love that these old beauties have been restored.



A new generation of young families are gradually moving in. There is evidence of babies, toddlers and the clutter of strollers and squeak toys.



Sometimes, progress and modernization isn't all it's cracked up to be. Sometimes, it's good to step back and revel in the beauty of the past.



4 comments:

Anonymous said...

I love to visit neighborhoods with a past. The pictures tell the story.

Anonymous said...

I love watching HGTV, mostly because I love houses and neighborhoods, and I would love to get a peek inside of those gorgeous homes. I am sensing leaded windows, beautiful molding, and pocket doors galore!

Our neighborhood is older and experiencing a nice rebirth, but the city still approves the demolition of beautiful structures with interesting architectual detail to make way for new construction (that resembles the old). It's ridiculous.

Beautiful post. xo

Anonymous said...

I love those houses and the neighborhood! Your photos are really good and make me want to live there.

Anonymous said...

Sometimes, during my lunch hour, I'll just take a walk around the neighbourhood, find a park bench and pretend I live there.