Poros properties.
There are so many abandoned properties around the island. Some just left to fall down, usually because of family differences, or just left for years half finished usually because of illegal permits. Or no building permit
The old electric company building. It's right on the waterfront and been in this state for as long as I can remember. There's some dispute which means no-one can touch it. Prime real estate, grimy and peeling away and full of rubbish
Another property right on the harbour front, next door to that last abandoned building. This one is owned by a bank and has been sitting here, half built and full of rubbish now for over 25 years. Rumours are that the foundations filled with sea water and it couldn't be finished. Who knows. Like the other one, rumours fly.
They both should at least be cleaned up and painted.
And as for this one
It's a house owned by an english family. The parents died, the children couldn't agree what to do with it . Another piece of prime real estate, a large house with gardens, right opposite the Police Station. Now it's virtually unsellable. There is so much owed on it and a pile of papers and red tape that need sorting out.
Slowly it has become place for tipping rubbish
And it's falling to pieces
The next 2 properties, once again right on the waterfront, have been painted and one completely restored
Above...... The old Latsi Hotel
Now only the ground floor is used. The site of the island's largest supermarket. A mini market size for most of you. Not repaired or restored but repainted.
An attractive sight when visitors approach by sea
A neo-classical mansion as it was
The difference is amazing. The waterfront is so much more attractive.
Those other buildings in disrepair need a whitewash and a clean up. They probably need a few rat traps as well
Surprisingly we have a number of abandoned buildings around here. A former restaurant has been empty and falling down for years and is in an unusually attractive building. Notice has been served on the owners to do something to restore it. after a lot of local pressure. Then the owners started to pull it down and that had to be stopped. A housing estate of 24 houses has been abandoned because the builder has gone into liquidation, the houses unfinished. Former hotels on the coast abandoned and left empty. It is amazing that in Britain today there are so many abandoned buildings.
ReplyDeleteThere are abandoned holiday complexes, often half finished, on many islands. They're mostly on the coast and look terrible.
DeleteA pity about housing estate when housing is so short. The EU often gives subsidies here and that's how the neo classic mansion was restored. But there's a lot of rules and red tape, hoops to jump through.
I remember a few years ago I visited the island of Kastellorizo where most of the houses were abandoned, it was a very sad sight. I know that today the situation there is different and quite a few houses have been renovated.
ReplyDeleteThis is still not the case here, but I assume that as the population ages it will be difficult to sell houses here.
The renovated houses on your island are indeed very beautiful.
Kastellorizo has become an island which is vital to the Greek state. It's very close to Turkey. The Pm visited recently to reinforce its Greek territory. There is a navy base there and people are encouraged to return and stay
DeleteCan't imagine what your area looks like now.
It's the same here. Our town is a mix of old Victorian and pre-Victorian cottages with newer buildings in between. Some of the older properties are basic, stone built and painted and many have damp problems as the basements flood at high tide. However, gradually, a few are being repaired and "tarted up" and now look quite attractive. I hope the damp issues have been addressed though!
ReplyDeleteThose houses close to the seafront have bad damp problems and often flood here because they're right at sea level. They look the perfect place to live with balconies, sea views. They also have problems with toilet flushing depending on sea level. Not sure what happens but it's another 'thing'
DeleteIn France there are old uninhabited buildings everywhere. Farmers would build a house then after 200 years or so (when it began to crumble) they would simply build another one nearby.
ReplyDeleteHere in Brighton there aren't any. They're all worth big money!
Those ruins on Poros are not cheap and building is tedious. You need time, money and patience
DeleteThe neo-classical building looks wonderful. We have often looked longingly at a tumble down house while on holiday in Greece and dreamed about restoration. We were told that often these houses were owned by Greek families, some who had moved to America and elsewhere and disentangling the ownership had become too complex.
ReplyDeleteI loved your post , another life. I found it very moving. The sense of home is such a strong emotion and you described it so well. When we are young and off to explore the world we have little idea what the price is of leaving.
You're so right about being young. The future is somewhere vague , unimaginable. Now it's a bit different.
DeleteYou're right about the old ruins too. Could be owned by 20 cpusins
At least some of them have been looked after, even repainting it is good, sad that properties lie empty, it's the same here.
ReplyDeleteYes, a little paint would make so much difference
DeleteI can’t understand why buildings are left to decay.
ReplyDeleteIf the family are in dispute. Get it valued and put it on the market. If one member wants it. They pay market value less their share.
If two want it. Well then. Auction.
What a total waste of resources
How beautiful could it all be. It upsets me waste, always does
There are so many places that could be restored easily. Cleaning and painting makes a huge difference. Not so easy if the roof is falling in
DeleteIt is awful to have abandoned buildings that were once grand. Albuquerque and Santa Fe have the same issue. Santa Fe is an old city. The house that Georgia O'Keeffe was dissolving, as it was made of adobe bricks and had previously been housing for a Catholic priest. She did a remarkable job of having it restored, complete with a traditional dirt floor in her living room. I know it sounds weird, but it was really lovely.
ReplyDeleteOriginal restoration would be fascinating
DeleteSuch a shame the buildings are just left to the weather. The ones that are painted look so much better. Shame the family can't agree on what to do with the parents house.
ReplyDelete