Swiss Cottage
Nearby Office block
and flats
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Swiss Cottage is probably one of the last remaining unaltered buildings in Waterlooville that dates back before the 1950s. There is a photograph of the building that is dated 1906, this one was taken today.
It is now occupied by the local Citizens Advice Bureau branch, an organisation devoted to giving free legal and financial advice. It's a shame that the roof tiles at the front have been replaced by plastic sheeting, but most of the building retains its original character. It is however in poor repair. A few yards further down the street is this non-descript block of offices and flats. About two years ago some beautiful Georgian cottages were demolished so that these could be built. The same type of cottages in Chichester would be protected and cherished, but the local Waterlooville authorities and property developers consider Waterlooville the ideal place to demolish any previous history. Unfortunately i didn't photograph the Georgian cottages before they were demolished. A lot of the worst defacing of Waterloovilles historic buildings occured in the 1950s and 1960s. Take a look at photographs of the period and the old Victorian buildings had either been replaced or modern fronts had been put on the old shops. Of course today, developers and councillors see fit to continue the trend. |
Monday, February 11
Swiss Cottage - Waterlooville
2 comments:
Swiss Cottage dates back to at least 1876. No one could fail to disagree with your comments re. the so called redevelopement of Waterlooville. I am particluarly saddened by the demolition of the older buildings as my Great Great grandfather, John Edwards, built a large proportion of them. The two cottages you mention were called Holborn Villas, in which my grandparents lived for many years.
It's been such a long time since I wrote this post, that I couldn't remember the cottages! It took a few seconds before I remembered them. I actually regret not taking photos of them.
I'm not impressed by the plastic window frames they have installed on Swiss Cottage now.
I think Waterlooville is beyond restoration now unfortunately, although I guess some of the shells of the old buildings are still in place. I find the most interesting parts of town centres are usually above the ground floor of the shops, that's where you can identify the original structure and the period it was built in.
That's really interesting about your great great grandfather. What buildings was he responsible for?
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