Even though the Old Town features some of the most historic landmarks in Bucharest, for over 60 years, it was poor and neglected.. With the Communist takeover in 1947, the middle and upper classes who inhabited the majority of this area were marked as enemies of the state and their properties confiscated. Little was done to maintain these buildings however. After the fall of Communism in 1989, it took another decade until the families could reclaim ownership. By this time, most houses were crumbling. However, since 2007, investors and the state saw the Old Town’s potential for hospitality, entertainment and tourism. Money started pouring in, restoring many buildings and streets. There are still quite a few houses in need of urgent investments, but the Old Town has witnessed a spectacular revival.