The hottest Historic Preservation Substack posts right now

Movie theaters are disappearing because streaming and tough economics make traditional cinema business models hard to sustain, even though people still seek out big, communal movie experiences.
Local governments should proactively support at least one local theater with tools like low-interest loans, bond measures, or modest taxes so a nonprofit or small operator can buy and run it.
Independently run or nonprofit cinemas can succeed as community hubs that show diverse programming, draw people to nearby businesses, and justify public investment.

The Charles II statue in Soho Square has a fascinating history, witnessing a famous and tragic event.
The statue is in need of restoration and has seen some humorous modifications over time.
The statue is one of London's oldest statues, sculpted by Caius Cibber and has a significant historical presence.

Shapleigh Hardware Warehouse No. 3 in St. Louis was destroyed in a devastating fire, reflecting a trend of historic buildings facing neglect and destruction.
Augustus Frederick Shapleigh, an important figure in St. Louis, founded the Shapleigh Hardware Company, contributing to the city's industrial and commercial growth in the 19th century.
The Shapleigh Hardware Company's Warehouse No. 3, built in the early 20th century and a symbol of the company's success, faced destruction in the fire and is likely to be demolished.

The administration is trying to bypass rules to alter or demolish historic federal buildings and build a privately funded White House ballroom, moving forward without required reviews or public input.
Policy changes are rolling back protections for ordinary people — cutting VA healthcare jobs, weakening chemical safety standards, and stripping union rights — while favoring private and industry interests.
The government is simultaneously shielding wealthy allies and aggressively pursuing immigrants, exemplified by Epstein-linked revelations and the mistreatment of Kilmar Ábrego García, which has provoked legal challenges and public backlash.

Apple Battersea is the 40th store in the UK and showcases Apple's latest design ideas.
Preserving the historic Battersea Power Station posed design challenges that Apple creatively addressed.
The layout of Apple Battersea features a modular design that allows for flexibility and unique configurations.

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New York has a strong historic preservation law that protects many buildings, but it can also make it hard to build new homes in desirable areas. This creates a tough balance between keeping history and making space for more people.
Some new development plans, like the SoHo rezoning, try to add more housing while keeping important historic buildings safe, which could help both residents and the city's character.
There are better ways to work with historic buildings so new structures can fit in without getting in the way of preserving important parts of the city's history. It's about finding a middle ground where old and new can coexist.

The housing crisis is not just in cities, but also in suburbs where banal cityscapes are treated as architectural gems.
Historic preservation policies in expensive cities like New York often benefit elite areas while ignoring the suburbs and banal neighborhoods.
Efforts to address housing shortages in major cities like New York require redeveloping existing structures and involving suburbs in housing solutions.