Comments on: Spiegelhalters Is Saved

By: Shawdian

Shawdian — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 02:02:06 +0000

This simply would not happen today with the big conglomerates getting their way. How funny that Mr big stuck to his big guns making a mash of that otherwise lovely specimen of a Victorian building and Mr Little stuck by his with his little shop. Glad this little bit of excentricity is saved. Far too much these days is about bulldozing away perfectly good strong buildings only for some ugly glass frontage horror that look the pits and be pulled down within ten years. Too much these days is Throw Away! with new horrid buildings looking plastic and not at all permanent. Me, I like somthing that says ‘I will still be here in … ‘

By: Fay Cattini

Fay Cattini — Thu, 30 Apr 2015 19:20:17 +0000

I popped down to Spiegelhalters from Fenchurch St in my lunch break and had my ears pierced, 50 years ago!

By: john

john — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 23:50:32 +0000

That’s a darn good idea! And it is really something new – since I’ve seen it done a few places here in Seattle lately. Society is finally paying homage to the ‘karma’ of the 100 years that a building accumulated as it was lived in. So it’s wonderful when structures can be kept on like that.

By: Neville Turner

Neville Turner — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 18:29:03 +0000

A good result from a good campaigh.Good for future optimism and other heritage campaigns.Keep up the good work.

By: David Collard

David Collard — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 16:02:48 +0000

Many thanks to you, Gentle Author, and your many readers for your and their support and good wishes, which made all the difference. The campaign is all but over, although we haven’t yet seen the architect’s revised proposals and there will be further public consultation once they are submitted to Tower Hamlets Planning Department. We’ll see what comes up. The artist’s impression perpetuates the Dept W nonsense and what looks like some large wording in the lobby, which seems out of scale. We are continuing to press for spot listing of the entire frontage as this will secure the futures of the plucky little structure for years to come.

A thought. My suggestion for the ground floor of the site would be a glass frosted entrance (possibly recessed) on which an image of the Spiegelhalters shop could be etched (based on the 1920s photograph of the business in its heyday). Suitably lit, it would allow visitors to pass through a spectral residue of the original and contentious facade – a ghost building. This would be unique, and beautiful , and appropriate. The technology exists and (I hope) the combination of good taste and determination that characterise thoughtful and appropriate development.

Compared with what’s under threat down the road at Norton Folgate, the survival of Spiegelhalters may seem small potatoes. But perhaps we can agree to see it a a potent symbol of continuing opposition to thoughtless development, and a rallying point. Spiegelhalters is the Spartacus of East End buildings!

many thanks again to all.

David

By: Slice of London Life

Slice of London Life — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 16:01:48 +0000

It seems to be a day for the planners to be finally standing up to the developers. Westminster Council have ordered developers who tore down a Maida Vale pub without planning permission to rebuild it brick by brick: http://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/developer-told-to-rebuild-maida-vale-pub-brick-by-brick-after-site-torn-down-without-notice-10211892.html

By: Annie S

Annie S — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 15:13:53 +0000

Excellent!

By: violet hoarder

violet hoarder — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 13:28:14 +0000

Congratulations to all involved in preserving this building.

By: Suzanne Keyte

Suzanne Keyte — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 09:25:51 +0000

This is great news – well done to all of those involved in this campaign. Another beautiful building saved (within reason) and a little bit of heritage preserved.

By: Pennie Limming

Pennie Limming — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 09:16:36 +0000

Would it be too much to suggest common sense can prevail?