Another Brick Building Gets A Concrete Repair Job
Here's another example of a building that originally suffered from the natural elements before eventually succumbing to a bizarre quick fix decision. When I first saw that the brick roof line of this Main Street building (corner of Florence) had suffered wind damage, I was hoping that the damage would be quickly fixed. So I was relieved to see workers getting to the repair before winter hit. Then I noticed that the original brick roof line was being replaced with concrete block, exactly how another building on Summer was recently repaired (see post).
Is this the start of a trend? I hope not. Once again, I'm sure that some people will argue that at least the owner fixed the damaged part of the building. Instead of fixing it, he could have decided to knock it down. Beggars (preservationists) can't be choosers. I wonder what the cost difference was between replacing the brick with concrete block? I would think that maybe a couple of cans of matching red paint might tone down this blatant use of substitute building materials. Is this quick/cheap fix-it something that we should be expecting from more building owners in the future?
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BuffaloBloviator
Perhaps I may be suffering from post election syndrome but when I see that smooth block I can't get rid of the mental image of Joe Biden's forehead.
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rydog71
I think your point is a respected one but this building does not look like it is racking in wads of cash for the owner. The property itself is probably worth more than the structure.
One issue to point out is that too often people get confused between restoration and renovation. Whether it is good or bad only certain properties require restoration over renovation. This building clearly falls into the later category. Making it in Buffalo's economy isn't easy and if it means taking the cheaper way out to repair a building that is not significant then they should be allowed to do it.
Plus where you see a need for red paint I see white, or maybe blue, possibly green. If you emphasize the horizontal structure by dividing it will make for a better visual appeal. Plus the contrast of red and yellow is screaming for a third color.
And maybe that's the issue more than the repairs being cheap or not. Maybe its about approaching them creatively.
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Buffalo21stcentury
Id rather have an intact build repaired cheaply than no repair at all and left to decay until no one wants it anymore.
I dont understand property owners and landlords because I wasnt raised the way. I wasnt raised to be some cheap *** that just sucks money out of building.
I was raised that whatever you do is an extension of your reputation and you as a person so if it means that you have less income but your building is well maintained then you do it.
and rydog71; where are you from with your white, yellow, blue, green? Honestly. Buffalo colors are all earthtones...back because most of its stock of buildings date from the late 1800s to the 1950s....brick, stone, terra cotta, stucko, wood shingle, etc.
if you want to make buffalo beautiful rydog71 then volunteer to plant a tree.
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crisa
If the owner(s) chose what looks like a breathable, high quality outdoor redwood stain for the lighter, pinkish colored bricks, then they got that part right!!!
The darker red looks to be a low gloss paint. Satin, low gloss or high gloss paints are a NONO for porous bricks. (A base paint might be ok though.)
Once those cement blocks cure, they also need to be sealed--a matching redwood stain would look nice.
That bright yellow door frame is nasty. By the way it catches the light in the pictures, it must be a blinding high gloss.
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STEEL
The detailing at the angled corners is especially appealing and sensitive.
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platt4
Crisa, what's your drink of choice?
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sonyactivision
For a simple, original structure such as this, I have no quarrel with the cut-rate restructuring of the roofline. But a line should be drawn somewhere and we'll know it when we see it. I say give this businessperson a pass.
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crisa
PLATT4: Do YOU know what gaustad meant about "7000"? I don't.
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Hoss
I think the damage was caused by a faulty roof. Water seeped down, froze, expansion, a little windy push... Luckily nobody got hurt.
Matching older brick can be difficult, and often looks crappy in itself. In the end, perhaps a suitable covering/color on that block will actually look better than if they had replaced it with some not quite matching brick.
What they really need is a little color on the window frames, and a tree or two out front. Something as simple as weeding between the sidewalk cracks makes a huge difference in terms of perceived value as well.
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rydog71
With comments like that how come your username isn't Buffalo20thcentury?
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DanielSack
Plain concrete block is not lawful according to the City Charter.
ARTICLE XXVIII. Citywide Design and Site Plan [Added 6-24-1997, effective 7-7-1997; amended 7-13-1999, effective 7-21-1999] D. Building design.
3. Building materials shall harmonize with and complement adjoining structures and be of durable quality. Plain concrete block, plain concrete, corrugated metal, plywood and sheet press board shall not be used as exterior finish materials.
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DanielSack
Plain concrete block is not lawful according to the City Charter.
ARTICLE XXVIII. Citywide Design and Site Plan [Added 6-24-1997, effective 7-7-1997; amended 7-13-1999, effective 7-21-1999] D. Building design.
3. Building materials shall harmonize with and complement adjoining structures and be of durable quality. Plain concrete block, plain concrete, corrugated metal, plywood and sheet press board shall not be used as exterior finish materials.
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DPH
I believe that what we are looking at is an incomplete project. I'm not trying to defend the design or repair solution, but from what I see in the picture, the grey cmu block is to be finished with some sort of veneer finish material. Looking at the metal cap coping, and noticing the roofing parapet membrane overhanging the front, tells me that it is a work in progres, and may have been placed on hold for some reason. Therefore a temporary coping placed on top to dry in the roof. The coping looks like a temp job, judging from the jagged workmanship along the top. I'm predicting that a veneer of Stucco (cement or eifs/sythentic stucco) or a tile, or metal panel, etc... will be applied over the grey block. If I'm incorrect, someone please pass on my advice to the owner. They may be in need of a good architect (I may know one, LOL..).
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