 Decorative cast iron used in a similar way can be found in other former British colonies including South Africa, Malaysia and India.In the 1840s the cheapness and malleability of cast iron led James Bogardus of New York City to develop the idea of buildings using cast iron for complete decorative facades, which were far cheaper than traditional carved-stone, but could be painted to give the appearance of stone.His first was put up in 1848, quickly followed by many more, and he promoted the idea in a pamphlet "Cast Iron Buildings