Go to Europe, you will stay in a hotel that is 300 years old

Modern buildings become obsolete due to advances in building technique, demand for comfort and new toys, and energy efficiency, Old buildings get to the point where maintenance costs are not justified. I fought the maintenance issues on seven old buildings that I supervised on a college campus. It was a pleasure and relief to see the wrecking balls come after the 50 year old structures. It cost a fortune to heat and cool the buildings. Add that to the land becoming more valuable than the building and you get constant turn-over. If Architects and engineers could see into the future, buildings would last longer. I have become old enough to see buildings that I worked on as a young man being destroyed and it does not bring a tear to my eyes. The Holiday Inn that came down was not architectural treasure, and it's replacement probably wont be one either.

It was built in stages, starting as a long two story structure that grew to a large 5 story horseshoe-shaped structure. By the late 1990s, it was very obsolete. Many, myself included, felt it was an eyesore. The school wanted to demolish it and replace with something new. When they saw the price tag for demolition, the powers that be were shocked. A massive renovation was actually cheaper. And that is the route they went.

100 years is a long time in America, 100 miles is a long distance in Europe.

Stayed there several times as I headed out to various overseas assignments for the state Department.

To get every brick to fall within the footprint of the building is impressive.

As a boy who loved firecrackers, that is like a wet dream! Yea, I know, but I am a product of the 50s and no amount of education or experience can wean it all out.

Technology and science. I remember those.

PS: Trump might be headed out I-66 to play golf.