I know it's the common saying in UE to leave every location as it is and to condemn acts of vandalism against locations. But have you ever been to at least one place that's so boring, terrible, decrepit, smelly, etc. that you just want it trashed or burned to the ground?

My example is a failed condo development in Toronto's west end. It's a small building that has been sitting empty for years waiting for a demolition that has never come. The owner's attempts to protect it from tagging and graffiti have resulted in this building being a brick slab with graffiti and wood boards to block stuff.

Recently, some people had torn away some sheet metal blocking a door, granting access to part of this otherwise sealed building. I went in there, and found no signs of squatting or vandalism at all. But the place was completely empty, and there was an easy entrance inside. I just thought as I walked through the apartment units, this building would be so much better burned to the ground. It's so ugly, nobody wants it here, and maybe burning it or destroying it would renew some interest in getting it developed into something the community wants.

There are places I'd like to see redeveloped, and a few places where demolition went so bad, I would not feel bad if someone carried out some sort of anti-establishment demonstration including causing damage to some sites in protest of what happened to them.

I went into a demolition workers' shack in a large abandoned neighbourhood, where evictee residents had broken in and smashed everything up. I didn't feel so bad about what had happened to the workers, but felt no need to add to the damage.

Jeeeeesze, it's not your property.

Funny how most of people that say shit like this never trash what they own...

There are a few places I know of in the UK and on the continent which have become so over-rated, looted, graffitied, trashed and gone through by more people than a cheap hooker that they just need to be put out of their misery - Chateau Noisy being a prime example of that.

Places like this are usually dwellings or housing, I've noticed. They're the ones that seem to suffer the most. People are absolutely disgusting and where they live usually reflects that.

Because homes tend to experience more constant traffic (when active) that other places (like industrial complexes and offices) usually do. They also don't have the strict standards that places like hospitals have so they'll allowed to degrade while they're active without many consequences legally. Slum lords and what have you, for sure.

There's been a good number of locations I haven't been sad to see go, but I never wish for their destruction.

Nothing good comes out of anger. Think rationally. If you're really concerned about the looks of some buildings in your area, you can just report authorities that the building doesn't look fine and attracts junkies or homeless people, for example, and the owner has to do something with it.

For example, next to commieblock where i live there's an old, abandoned wooden building. It's sealed off but in it's yard there are often homeless people and junkies, they're sorting out there their treasure from trashcans. I don't really care about their actions but i can see in the local online "slum list" that someone has already reported that address.
I'm pretty sure that in next 2 or 3 years it will be demolished or rebuilt because the owners already have higher property tax, that's how government tries to reduce slum properties.

I've been to locations that have been abandoned for 10+ years and not a single window was broken. I've wanted to see these places broken into but not necessarily trashed either.

Posted by Fleeting a failed condo development in Toronto's west end

How does a condo development fail in this market?

I believe there are members here that could produce some fine photos from the place you speak of, and I know some rookie members who would jump at the chance to explore it. Subjective value judgements will vary. Any pics we can see?

There are definitely some places I'd rather not have existed in the first place (certain DC asylums with tragic histories come to mind) but none I actually want to be trashed.

It might be a little weird, but I think you sort of need to let an abandonment run its course. Some will be amazing, some will be horrible, some will be very dangerous, and some will be filled with old sewing machines. If only the good ones were out there, it would take some of the joy out of exploring them. Part of the fun is the challenge of trying to find the few good among the many bad. That's my thought, at least.

Posted by WEKurtz I believe there are members here that could produce some fine photos from the place you speak of, and I know some rookie members who would jump at the chance to explore it. Subjective value judgements will vary. Any pics we can see?

Honestly, the place was so boring I was in a constant debate of whether to take photos, so I only took one. Some vandalism or leftover needles would have been a nice touch!


This was the kitchen in one of the two apartments on the second floor. Totally empty minus the phonebook on that counter, and a stove in the middle of the stairway.

I don't think a lowly explorer holds the power to decide the fate of a building.. Best left alone I'd say.