Faux finishes

I spent some time virtually travelling to Paris (or is that travelling virtually?) yesterday and came across this photo. While it is a fantastic snap of the statues and the Seine with the Eiffel Tower on the horizon, what I love is the building in the lower right corner that is under construction. (I have helpfully circled it in green. Follow the link to the original.) Why aren't our refurbishments so elegantly concealed? Even the gargoyles seem impressed.