Saturday, August 16, 2014

Somerset House

I have something a little different for today. Somerset House is at the corner of Bank and Somerset Streets here in Centretown, and it has seen better days. It dates back to 1900, and was a hotel and pub in its various incarnations. It has stood empty for years, with renovations up in the air due to a dispute between the city and the developer who was trying to restore it, after a slight boo-boo inside during construction work. By slight boo-boo I mean disaster. Supposedly the work will be getting underway again in the not so distant future, but then again, it's been years since that incident and progress has been non-existent. I will be returning here again in time with further details, but for the moment,  I leave you with the front of the place. The bare bones of Somerset House has potential to be restored to something better. It just needs the work to be done.


33 comments:

  1. Indeed, it has character.... and potential. Do keep us posted.

    Janis

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  2. Booboo's in construction can be quite devastating...hope all is well and it progresses soon!!! Looks like a worthwhile renovation!!!

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  3. I hope they work it out. It's a cool place. Thanks for the info about the theme days. After a year and a half, I now find out there is a FB group.

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  4. That must have been a grand hotel once..

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  5. It reminds me of some of the buildings I see along Danforth Ave. In Toronto.

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  6. It's a great looking building.

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  7. it is a pretty thing. hope they can save it!

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  8. @Greensboro: I will!

    @Chieftess: It is a building with a lot of character, so I hope the restorations get fully underway soon.

    @Stuart: I did wonder if you'd known.

    @Marleen: and something grand yet might rise from it.

    @Andy: no doubt similar architectural influences.

    @Revrunner: actually that's graffiti!

    @Sharon: I like it. Now if all sides can finally get something done about it.

    @Tex: it does tend to look forelorn at times barricaded off.

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  9. What a neat building. Restoration is a very good thing.

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  10. I like the building and I wish the best for it!

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  11. From the front it looks like a building worth restoring.

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  12. Definitely needs saving! Hope the developer can get everything worked out!

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  13. I love that name, Somerset House. It is a beautiful building that deserves another chance. Now you have me wondering about the disaster.

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  14. @Birdman: it needs it!

    @VP: it is a building with character.

    @Linda: I hope the work gets started soon. If they are working in there, it's pretty quiet.

    @EG: the back, on the other hand, is where the real damage lies.

    @Cheryl: supposedly there's been a settlement of the issues, but I still see no work being done.

    @Judy: I'll explain down the line. I've got other shots that I'm using for the upcoming theme day.

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  15. Lovely old building . I see so many abandon old buildings that have a lot of potential and always hope some one can refurbish them and bring them back to life ! Thanks for sharing . Have a good weekend !

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  16. A very interesting building with a lot of history. I hope these differences can be resolved sooner than later.

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  17. The facade is very attractive! There's got to be a way to make this work! It's unfortunate, but in this country we build very few structures to last more than about 20 years.

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  18. Can't wait to see that gem shine!

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  19. Nice place. But now I'm curious...what was the boo-boo?

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  20. It would be a shame if such nice characterful building had to disappear. It deserves a good renovation, I think.

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  21. It's nice when a city decides to restore a building instead of tearing it down.

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  22. I'm intrigued but will wait for your future post to find out the details of the boo-boo.

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  23. @Country Gal: thank you!

    @Denise: the last I heard of it, there was some talk about a modification in the interior for an elevator.

    @Lowell: this one was certainly built to last, despite the boo boo.

    @Cloudia: I keep hoping there'll be some sign of actual work going on.

    @Bibi: Patience, patience!

    @Jan: it really does have character, and that should be preserved.

    @Bill: there have been some buildings torn down that shouldn't have been.

    @RedPat: I'll be posting it for the beginning of the month.

    @Norma: let's just say that the guy who did it might not think of it that way.

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  24. Construction is fraught with "boo boos." It's a grand old building. I do hope it is restored without ruining the facade.

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  25. It has the "good bones" to become a fine place. I await the telling of your tale.

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  26. Let's hope it does get done William.. all too often these old buildings are left until it's too late and then.. the developers swoop in!

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  27. There are boo boos and then there are boo boos. Some are the sincere "oops" variety, some aren't so unintentional. Then it's a boo boo because someone got caught.
    This is a beautiful structure from the outside. I hope its future is bright.

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  28. It's gorgeous, I do hope they make something of it. Keeping the façade that is.

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  29. @Mari: unfortunately the same status quo remains in place today. The owner should be punched in the face. By every citizen in this city.

    @Jack: I wish I'd had better news.

    @Cindy: unfortunately that'll never happen.

    @Grace: this one is such a shame.

    @Kay: the owner is a disgrace.

    @Ciel: someone else needs to come in and take over.

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