Alternatives to Demolition

Adaptive Reuse, Relocate, & Recycle

When a building has outlived its original function, or has fallen into disrepair the first thought seems to be demolition.

Demolition means the disappearance forever of our heritage resources and Heritage Oshawa would like the following options to be considered.

• Adaptive reuse.  Adaptive reuse means retaining the building but using it for a different purpose.  Successful examples of adaptive reuse in Oshawa include Pinewood, 300 Centre Street South (originally built for the Children's Aid Society now used by Lakeridge Health) and Gladstone Villa, 114 King Street East (once home to Oshawa Mayor Frederick Fowke now a law office).

• Relocation.  Heritage buildings can be moved.  Often the building is sold for a minimal fee and arrangements can be made to move it to another site.  There are several companies that specialize in moving buildings.

• Reclamation & Deconstruction.  Salvage is another possibility.  Unique architectural features are removed before demolition.  There is a good market for these items for old home and heritage home restoration.  Heritage Oshawa is also compiling a stock of smaller items that are being used in displays.

• Ruinfication.  Other options include ruinfication which allows for the exterior of the structure to be maintained on a site.

• Symbolic conservation.  Symbolic conservation refers to recovery of unique features and incorporating those components into new development or using a symbolic design method to depict a theme or remembrance of the past. This technique will be used in the redevelopment of Windfield Farms.

• Recording for Posterity.  When all other options are exhausted, Heritage Oshawa requests a tour of the property and photodocuments the buildings.