The Empire Strikes Back was the sequel.
This is just a rather hokey way of revisiting Second Empire sightings this week.
On Saturday we visited a favourite aunt in Peterborough.
On the way out of town, with the sun on our backs, we decided to navigate the one-way system to find Rubidge Street (it's divided into three pieces, like a robin-tormented earthworm.)
And there, holding its head proud above a sea of tarmac, sat the impressive Cox Terrace.
centre pavilion with convex Mansard |
Cox Terrace is a rare multi-unit residential terrace built in the Second Empire style, 1884.
According to the Historic Places site, Cox Terrace contains seven two and three storey residential units (although I didn't venture indoors, so it may be that some subdivision has taken place over time.) Each of the original units has its own entrance.
end pavilions have straight-sided Mansard roofs |
We parked. I braved the cold wind, camera in hand, and did not do the place justice.
But neither, in fairness, did many of its rent-paying residents, judging by the proliferation of bad window treatments and the not at all harmonious business signage.
But they do pay the rent. I hope. And the owners did achieve a fairly recent paint job, and a creditable retention of heritage elements. Well, it is a National Historic Site, after all.
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