Union Street

Heading to an Italian restaurant today just off Union Street. Parts of Union Street look quite run down. Behind the Capitol a new office block is being constructed. An attempt at preserving the look of the street is being made as the original street facade is being retained. However the office block rises behind it at a level which is out of keeping with the adjacent buildings.

The empty space was occupied by a pub until fairly recently. The pub had a quite run down appearance, so it is not a great loss. I think the replacement here is intended as multi use, a mix of shops and offices, maybe a hotel was planned as well. This will no doubt be another glass box.

The Financial District in San Francisco is all high rise buildings. Some of them are interesting structures, especially the Transamerica Pyramid. Unfortunately Aberdeen is less adventurous, the new buildings here are just plain rectangular boxes with a lot of glass, and of no artistic merit. This is not to say that parts of Union Street are not in need of help.