Do you really think that 50 year old wiring is designed to cope with the sort of lifestyle we all enjoy in 2013? Articles about that refurbishment allude to decorative light fittings and switches which, while "hip" were still a little dodgy, but in they went. There were a few brave new innovations in the kitchen in the 60's but I'll bet they didn't envisage coffee makers, microwaves, food processors, bread makes, induction stove tops, range hoods, etc. Things we all take for granted.
And in the living room, did they have a little boxy TV? A flat screen, satellite viewing and various recording media are light years from then and in the 60's vinyl was king! The sound systems of today would have been beyond comprehension with all the electronics required to use them.
Then, lest we forget, there is Broadband. Instant Internet which is now a basic form of communication . . . and 1A is wired for a telephone . . . anyone remember those wonderful old clunky phones with their circular diallers? Lovely to look at but you needed a pencil to use the dialler unless you wanted your nails ruined.
As to interior decoration, well let's see, "interesting" wall paint and paper, 50 year old carpets and drapes . . . lots of orange and brown? Ugh! And, what about all those en suite bathroom facilities we take for granted? So would any guest in 2013.
How many of us would move into a 50 year old home and not update the electrical wiring, plumbing and completely redo the soft furnishings. We are not even talking about removing asbestos or fixing leaky roofs with appropriate but costly tiles to stay in character with the rest of the building. And since I'm sitting in the watery winter sun, how about a 50 year old heating system?
It is an enormous undertaking but having people living in a building keeps it up to date and stops decay. Empty buildings always go to the bottom of the "must do" list and keeping such an historical gem is imperative. Believe me, where I live there has been much angst at the loss of historic building in the recent quakes and they were only 150 years old . . . or less!