…rhetorically ponders whether the construction of ultra-luxury residences and offices behind the facades of old buildings is really historic preservation:

“Market capitalism has a special way of producing an illusion of adaptation when a community senses something lacking in a world filled with alleged choices. You want a piece of history? Fine, tell us how we can fettishize it and sell it back to you for a profit, and you can have all of the rustic brick you want. We’ve got truckloads.”