The 1970's was a time in Texas' largest city when the population began to boom and employment opportunities in the petrochemical arena saw no limits as a result of the Arab Oil Embargo.
To accommodate this influx of mostly northerners, developers borrowed large sums of venture capital from lending institutions hoping to greed in on the new-found prosperity. In addition, several mid-rise hotels were erected in the immediate downtown area.
By the mid 80's, oil prices went limp, it was a time when businesses closed and a significant portion of the population chunked the town "da deuce" in mass for job opportunities elsewhere. Investors also walked away from their mortgage commitments and their real property holdings.
A new beginning was needed...
Hell on Earth:
An abandoned hotel in the city originally began its life as a Holiday Inn. A decade later it was sold "as is" to another hotel franchise. So from there a new trend was born which consisted of wealthy, foreign individuals that had nothing else to do than spend their money, and thus, the hotel once again was turned into another money pit (take that, BAKER!) by the early 90's. Surprisingly enough, the building had a "cheap" price tag of $2 million and was given a third life as the Hell On Earth Hotel.
...then it all went into a downward spiral. Nirvana, stabbings, rape, etc.
The place became a magnet for individuals with backgrounds in petty crime and drug abuse.
By the end of the century, the city forced Hell On Earth to close its doors for safety reasons and building code violations. The hotel has been vacant and on the market for over a decade since it stopped checking in demons at the counter. Due to the need for extensive renovation, including asbestos abatement, the sale of this building will not see any transactions, so it now continues to be a playground for punks with cameras a/k/a "urban explorers" that have nothing else to do but wallow in asbestos and upload better photos on Flickr of what you are about to see...
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EVERY FLOOR IS GUTTED and looks like this:
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Another abandoned neighbor just south of this mid-rise ;)
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I would say that this is the real highlight of this location, its rooftop:
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BONUS NIGHTTIME SHOTS:
