Same As It Ever Was

Buildings and places in transition often tell a story about where they've been as well as where they're going. You need to be careful though, how you interpret the narrative.

This block at the east end of Princes Street is not just being renovated but entirely rebuilt, retaining only the old facade. What caught my eye was the contrast between the stone walls of the older lower floors and the new wood currently being used for the walls of the top floor. The temptation was to contrast current standards of workmanship with those of last century when the building was originally built.

A closer look however reveals the brick beneath the stone-cladding of the lower floors, which may well be the same approach to be taken on the new top floor. Plus ca change?