This is the tallest building in my small town, and the tallest for quite a ways around it too. It is also the only building in town, excluding the hospital, to have an elevator. So maybe it is not the world trade center, but it is the best I got.
Now a bit of history, this building was built in 1915, and at the time it was the tallest building east of Montreal. It is 7 stories tall and housed stores on the first floor, offices above those and then apartments on the upper levels. On the roof was a penthouse suite, so I guess it actually makes it 8 stories. Over time it became less maintained, and in 2008 a young entrepreneur, only 21 years old, bought it with hopes of rejuvenating it. Less than a year after he bought it, a water leak on the fifth floor prompted the fire marshal to come have a look. The fire marshal ordered the building closed because of fire code violation and all tenants were evicted. The costs to bring the building up to code made it impossible for the young man to do, and the building has sat vacant ever since. In 2010, chunks of concrete fell from the top onto the sidewalk prompting to put up a temporary covered walkway in front of it. Now, the building is up for demolition, the sad loss of a hometown landmark, and is slated to be taken down in the next couple months.
I spent the last few months scoping the building out, looking for a way in as it was nailed up pretty tight. A couple weeks ago I finally found a way in and this weekend I took my chance before it is too late. I got to spend 3 hours in there, enjoying the whole building from penthouse to basement, and also had my opportunity to say goodbye to a building that has been part of me me since I was a child.
Lots of pics...and lots more that I have, hope you all don't mind the large number.
1. Then and now
2. offices
3. old computer
4. suite!
5.
6.
7.
8. good chair bad chair
9.
10. layers of history
11.
12. Need more tape
13. ...or maybe not
14. In the penthouse now...just a few pigeons living here now
15. Pretty in pink
16. More damn pigeons, they can scare the crap out of you
17. Edith???
18. Blew the plaster right off
19. Still trying
20.
21. Bath time?
22. I crapped myself
23. pigeon photo bomb
24. To the basement we go
25. No scrappers here
26. old time skateboard lol
27.
28. The secret tunnel I heard about but never found outside as a way to get in
29. Last thing I found
30. Time to go
BONUS BABY PIGEONS!!!!
Thanks for taking the time to check it out.