Jeff Nevil
This list.ly looks at some of the most famous restorations of listed and protection buildings from recent years. Some of these projects are for buildings that serve as beloved national landmarks, whereas others stand as pillars of local community. Each were made possible through unquestionable talent and attention to detail.
The Palace of Westminster is one of the most iconic and significant buildings in the world, and home to one of the busiest parliaments, with more than a million visitors.
Fire claimed much of the building in 1834, but now - the Houses of Parliament, restoration & renewal project is looking to return the building it its former stature.
While technically more of a reconstruction than restoration, no list would be complete without Sam Wanamaker's work on Shakespeare's Globe Theatre. Though it is not agreed on exactly what Shakespeare's original Globe Theatre looked like, excavations of similar theatres like 'The Rose', combined with detailed analysis of witness accounts and diagrams means that Wanamaker's restoration is as sympathetic to Shakespeare's original as possible.
The Temperate House at Kew Gardens, Middlesex, holds some of the world's most exotic and rare botanical species, but only reopened in May 2018 after a five year and £41,000,000 restoration period. Founded in 1840, Kew Gardens is home to over 30,000 different kinds of plants and over seven million plant specimens, preserved for future generations. The Temperate House at Kew Gardens is one of the most high profile listed building renovations in recent years, and it's no wonder why.
Tsarskoye Selo, St Petersburg was home to Russian royalty until the execution of Nicholas II, the last Tsar, in 1918.
The Russian revolution and World War II left much of the palace and surrounding grounds in disrepair. The Soviets began restoration of Tsarskoye Selo in 1945, after the Nazis had sacked the palace and had stolen much of the wealth inside. Much of the restoration work is due to finish in mid 2018, which coincides with the hundred year anniversary of Tsar Nicholas' death.
The $78 million restoration of the Boston Public Library has been commended for its excellence and awarded seven local and national design and construction awards.
The Brutalist building is one of Boston's most polarising landmarks, with critics and natives alike divided on appeal. Regardless, the restoration is a undeniable success and has given invaluable resource back to the local community.
It is yet undecided what will become of the Glasgow School of Art. The fire that tore through the building in mid 2018 has been the subject of great discussion as experts remain divided on whether to attempt restoration, or demolish the building altogether.
The building was already undergoing restoration following a smaller blaze in 2014, set to the cost of £35 million. Now, it looks like the building will be rebuilt altogether - as some argue that restoration of the building would classify as 'replication' due to the extent of the damage.
