Opening of Armson Building

Saturday 11 February 2006

What a great building. It's almost a shame that the statistic that leapt out and grabbed me was about the two tonnes of dead pigeons and pigeon debris that had to be hauled out of here before work could start.

Naturally I'm delighted that it took an Irishman to see the gem that slumbered beneath the decay. Thomas Clinton consider yourself the President Clinton of the inner city for the day.

I'm told that back home in County Meath, Thomas has a house that was built in the 1820's and is in proximity to some buildings dating back to the eighth century. It must be nice to work with something up to date for a change.

Now that the Armson building is alive again, it seems amazing that it was ever left to sleep for such a long time. While I'm not always on-side with architects, in this case I have to agree with Alun Wilkie that this is indeed, an "industrial cathedral".

Along with the Harvey Norman centre, this gives us a strong point of difference for this part of the city.

In an age when television likes to focus on extreme makeovers, it is great to see instead, a tasteful makeover that works.

It is also a good reminder, as the critics and pundits again pronounce the inner city as unwell, that private sector investors see it as anything but ailing. There is no more profound vote for the future health of the inner city than that made when private sector investors dig into their own pockets to enhance that health.

Thanks too then Thomas, for a timely reminder of how the private sector has poured well over $100 million into inner-city investment in recent years.

Keep it up.