In Gaithersburg, Maryland, there’s a proposed Wawa convenience store that, after several years, has apparently, finally begun construction. Here’s the building that used to sit on the site: a long-time antique store. (I don’t how it began life; probably as something else, but likely some kind of store.)

Here’s a rendering of the Wawa, typical of the chain’s buildings. They’re also generally a gas station, with the pumps in front and the building set back from the road.

Well, what struck me was how generally similar the old building looks to the new one. The old building is sort of what the new one pretends to be. Why not keep it and adapt it? What underpins this kind of thing? What makes it profitable? Are old buildings that worthless?

Look at the old building. That empty space to the right could easily fit an old-fashioned pair of gas pumps. But Wawa won’t install a couple of old fashioned pumps. I guess this is what I mean when I say we shouldn’t treat the existing built environment as a blank slate. I don’t know the economics of this project, but wouldn’t it be cool if these commercial highway strips became cool pastiches of different buildings and eras, with the standard practice being re-use rather than demolition?

I don’t know think I’d want any of that mandated by code, but look at what the process looks like already:

This came after public opposition to the site led to the development being stalled after a group of 14 community members filed an administrative appeal in the Montgomery County Circuit Court. The opponents of the site had stated that the Wawa does not align with MoCo’s master plan and would generate traffic and noise annoyances for residents in the surrounding areas. In April of 2021, Judge Donald Beachley struck down the appeal, clearing the way for development to begin.

This all reminds me of McDonalds tearing down perfectly serviceable locations from its previous building model—the mansard roof ones—with the new modern, squarish ones. Most have been remodeled, but a bunch have also been flat-out demolished to build brand new ones.

Why?

Related Reading:

What Do You Think You’re Looking At? #24

What Do You Think You’re Looking At? #28

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