As regards the skills to rebuild/refurbish old buildings, yes, they are there. It's only the lack of money and the willingness to tackle the job that stops these projects. Obviously "Elfin Safety" has to come into it - you would not expect an asbestos-clad building to be rebuilt using the same material, and modern fire precautions and access all have to be considered.
Over here in sunny(!?) Norfolk we are just seeing the completion of a pier rebuild. Great Yarmouth's Wellington Pier - one of the oldest in the country (1853) - has been rebuilt. The theatre is to become an "entertainments centre", but superficially, at least, it looks like its old self. It certainly looks a lot better than it did three years ago! However, Dreadnought's pier-omaniacs had a go at it last week and attempted to set it alight. Fortunately, a local resident spotted smoke coming from the roof and it was put out before any damage was caused.
Rick