To raze or refurbish? #LinkedInNewsUK
I assume the biggest factor to either raze or refurbish comes down to cost.
If it's a listed building in a structural sound condition, then I'd choose refurbishment all day long. But, to regenerate areas and to bring buildings up to date with the latest technologies fit for the future and expansion of the business, which also, supports the growing capacity of the area, I'd be choosing rebuild.
When a company rebuilds, its quite a statement of their presence in the market place. Grander, bolder, re-imagined. Not the old store, with the same old things inside, but a new store, with a new perspective to serve the people of the area, and to attract new customers.
Redesign the building to stand out, not just to other businesses in the area, but as a statement to redevelop all areas and cities in the UK.
When we look around the world at the cities of the future, the UK is decades behind. We don't want to destroy the buildings that give character to our history, but if buildings are just modern day blocks, let's show the world that our cities are rising from the ground.
Extending buildings, doesn't show a new imagination, but, building higher and grander to all buildings shows we are Great Britain 🤷♂️
That's my opinion anyway! 😂😊
To raze or refurbish?
This has been the question surrounding the long-running saga of Marks and Spencer’s Marble Arch flagship.
On the retailer’s side, the proposal to flatten and rebuild the site with a modernised shop, café, offices and a gym aims to create a space fit for today’s customers and staff, while also addressing Oxford Street’s declining footfall and assisting in its goals to become net zero by 2040.
Opponents of the plan argue for the sustainability of existing structures, emphasising that the most sustainable building is the one already in existence. They further highlight concerns about the potential negative impact on nearby heritage assets should the building be demolished.
Beyond this saga lies a broader question for the sector: how can businesses effectively navigate ageing premises that no longer align with modern business goals?
Where do you stand? Is it best to bulldoze and start afresh, or should we always strive to maximise the potential of existing premises?
Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Sources:
BBC News: https://lnkd.in/ezEBe_Fg
The Guardian:
https://lnkd.in/gEvC58nz
📷: Getty Images
✍️: Aaron Toumazou
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