Ghost architecture

It's a post from WebUrbanist - "Ghost architecture: building demolition photo composites"

More than “now & then”, this is now, then and in-between.

Andrew Evans from Philadelphia, creates pictures that give a new perspective on the processes of urban deconstruction, showing before, during and after images of once-proud civic structures.

What really brings these haunting black-and-white images to life is that ‘three-step aspect’ – not just the building being there and gone, with its surrounding context, but with the demolition equipment, semi-demolished rooms and falling rubble part of the shot.

Prominent Philadelphia captures include: The National Building, destroyed to expand the Odd Fellows Temple, Pennsylvania Convention Center, the Pennsylvania Railroad power plant and the Philadelphia Convention Hall and Civic Center.
 

Adam's Mark Hotel, 2006

 Adam’s Mark Hotel built in 1965, had more than 500 guest rooms and functions spaces over 23 floors, it was purchased by Target Corporation as the site for a new store. The hotel closed in January 2005, and was demolished in 2006.
 

The Spectrum, 2011

The Spectrum, a sports and entertainment arena opened in 1967 and was demolished 2010-11, its last event was a Pearl Jam concert. It is now a parking lot, but there are plans for a 300 room hotel on the site.

Convention Hall, 2005

 The Convention Hall or Civic Center, the art deco building was built in 1930. The Beatles and The Stones both played there. After The Spectrum was built, the Hall became obsolete, and finally pulled down in 2005.
 

Mt Olive Church, 2012

The Greater Mt Olives Church, over 100 years old, on the corner of 19^th and Fitzwater Streets was demolished in 2012, to erect 5 new single-family apartments with rear parking.
 

Gilbert Building

The Gilbert Building was a 8 storey Neo-classic commercial office building built in 1910 and demolished in 2007 to allow expansion of the Convention Center.
 

Pennsylvania Railroad Power Station, 2009

The Pennsylvania railroad power plant was built in 1909, and is now a condominium. The smoke stacks toppling into a cloud of dust is a marvellous image, and I love the transient nature of the cranes in some of the other photos.

“Andrew Evans is an architect by training who is fascinated by construction and destruction alike. He is a lifelong Philadelphian and resides in southwest center city.” You can see more of his Flickr photos.