The Deleted Scenes - Ghost Buildings
Readers: This week marks the one-year anniversary of this newsletter! (Today, in fact, marks one year since my very first post.) I’m offering an anniversary discount, in case you’ve been on the fence about upgrading to a paid subscription. Thank you for your support, whether reading, sharing, or subscribing. Here’s to another year of The Deleted Scenes! A few days ago, I saw a viral tweet showing a building which had once been attached to another building, since demolished. The imprint of the demolished building was visible in the exposed wall. In fact, the imprints of multiple since-demolished buildings were visible. This reminded me that I’d seen a few “ghost buildings” in Washington, D.C. before, as well as some other curious examples of buildings being adapted in odd ways. So today’s entry in this series is not a single building, but various examples of “ghost buildings” and similar things I’ve seen. Here are a few, from when I used to work in downtown D.C. A set of identical buildings where one has had its façade covered over. I always wonder what’s inside those floors that are now in the total dark: Two older small buildings completely swallowed up by/encased in new construction: Just a curiosity as to what the sequence was here, and how much it’s changed: And a ghost building on an exposed wall. There are two, possibly three distinct walls here. The bricked-over windows and the brickwork look totally different than the glass front. I have no idea how many bits and pieces of distinct structures we’re looking at. It can actually be pretty tricky to determine, if you have no architecture knowledge. Here’s a neat article on this phenomenon, with a bunch of examples from New York City. Here’s a screenshot of the example he features: This is basically the imprint of the previous building that stood there, but it’s complicated:
In other words, as I understand it, it would be possible—though it doesn’t seem to be in this case—that the wall could remain standing, yet with neither building on either side of it the original building for which it was built. Because these are shared walls, they only go away when both buildings are demolished at the same time. And if one buildings goes and is replaced, over and over, you can end up with multiple layers preserved in these shared walls. It’s very cool, and slightly uncanny. Here’s another fascinating illustrated piece on Philadelphia rowhouses with missing neighbors, which have left all sorts of visual and architectural remnants behind. If you have an example you’ve seen in your town or city, share it! Related Reading: What Do You Think You’re Looking At? #8 You’re a free subscriber to The Deleted Scenes. For the full experience, become a paid subscriber. |
Key phrases
Older messages
Three Generations of Separated Uses
Tuesday, April 5, 2022
The Supreme Court that established zoning, and zoning as "concept creep"
About That Avocado Toast
Monday, April 4, 2022
Lattes aren't down payments, but...
Calling for the Music
Saturday, April 2, 2022
Thoughts on lost cultural production
New and Old #51
Friday, April 1, 2022
Friday roundup and commentary
Full Metal Spatula
Thursday, March 31, 2022
Does overseas Walmart sell better products?
You Might Also Like
"The Jesus Fridge" by Jeffrey McDaniel
Friday, March 29, 2024
Your fridge died last week. The light Facebook Twitter Instagram Support Poem-a-Day March 29, 2024 The Jesus Fridge Jeffrey McDaniel Your fridge died last week. The light still came on when you opened
Genres are a funny little concept, aren't they?
Friday, March 29, 2024
Skimm'd with the best deals of the week — Check out what we Skimm'd for you today Subscribe Read in browser March 29, 2024 Daily Skimm Skimm'd with the best deals of the week Update
Cindy Crawford’s Airport Pants Are The *Best* Alternative To Sweats
Friday, March 29, 2024
Iconic.
My Top 3: Regular Little Indulgences
Friday, March 29, 2024
Witty subhead ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
Google Wants You to Use AI for Your Next Vacation 🤔
Thursday, March 28, 2024
Don't Trust These 'Reset Password' Pop-ups on Your Apple Devices. Google has released several new ways you can use AI and other tools to help plan your next vacation, including the
GOP congresswoman blames Green New Deal for bridge collapse
Thursday, March 28, 2024
The Green New Deal, for the record, does not technically exist. ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
Your Zodiac Sign Should Prepare For Love Affairs In April
Thursday, March 28, 2024
Plus, Lili Reinhart's peach glam look, Bustle's beauty awards are here, & more.
PunchTok Rattles New York Women
Thursday, March 28, 2024
What's new today on the Cut — covering style, self, culture, and power, plus interviews, profiles, columns, and commentary from our editors. Brand Logo THURSDAY, MARCH 28 WAIT WHAT IS HAPPENING ON
The worst mug in your kitchen has an important purpose
Thursday, March 28, 2024
This is the hottest new restaurant trend in LA
Ye Olde Sign Shoppe: Gran Canaria’s Tomás Prieto Gálvez
Thursday, March 28, 2024
Adventures in life, family, and sign painting with Tomás Prieto Gálvez in the Canary Islands. BLAG Magazine: Adventures in Sign Painting Craft, Community & Culture BLAG Magazine: Adventures in Sign