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UER Mobile > Canada: Other > Closest thing to a skyscraper we have (Viewed 19878 times)

post by FreddyDynomite

Closest thing to a skyscraper we have
< on 3/26/2014 9:58 PM >

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!

8. good chair bad chair

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.

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post by tribeachpunk

Re: Closest thing to a skyscraper we have
<Reply # 1 on 3/26/2014 10:07 PM >

Very nice! Thanks for sharing!

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post by Lucifert

Re: Closest thing to a skyscraper we have
<Reply # 2 on 3/26/2014 10:26 PM >

nice sets, some nice equipement to picture there...

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post by Abby Normal

Re: Closest thing to a skyscraper we have
<Reply # 3 on 3/26/2014 11:09 PM >

You have shown that a location doesn't have to be the World Trade Center to be a great site! I really enjoyed the set. Good job.

Abby Normal

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post by symph

Re: Closest thing to a skyscraper we have
<Reply # 4 on 3/27/2014 1:57 AM >

Wow! These are fantastic, Great job!

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post by tbeckerson

Re: Closest thing to a skyscraper we have
<Reply # 5 on 3/27/2014 2:14 AM >

+1 Excellent work!

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post by ACraig

Re: Closest thing to a skyscraper we have
<Reply # 6 on 3/27/2014 11:46 PM >

Awesome!

You go down the tunnel at all?

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post by Skye_Ann

Re: Closest thing to a skyscraper we have
<Reply # 7 on 3/28/2014 12:32 AM >

Baby pidges! <3

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post by Elwood_Blues

Re: Closest thing to a skyscraper we have
<Reply # 8 on 3/28/2014 2:34 AM >

Glad you were able to get in for a look..!

Wonder.. if your town has a preservation society?

If so.. might make a copy of those shots.. or just put them on a thumb drive and drop them in their mailbox after the building is demolished..

I'm sure they would appreciate the anonymous gift..

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post by puddlejumper12

Re: Closest thing to a skyscraper we have
<Reply # 9 on 3/28/2014 12:57 PM >

18 looks just like my friend's apartment, no joke. Nice photos! Shame it has to go.

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post by G to the Race

Re: Closest thing to a skyscraper we have
<Reply # 10 on 3/28/2014 1:36 PM >

Within the past year or so I went in the tallest building in my mid-size hometown. It was like 8 or 10 stories high and housed some defunct businesses and an old-timey bank that looked like banks from golden-age Hollywood films. I loved the mail chute w/the forged metal covers and the doors that could open just the top part. I guess we have better ways of doing stuff now but those old ways sure looked cooler.

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post by FreddyDynomite

Re: Closest thing to a skyscraper we have
<Reply # 11 on 3/28/2014 2:33 PM >

Thank you for all the comments.

To the Halifax crew, too bad you could not have joined me on this one, you would have loved it...I told you I would find a way in

Posted by ACraig
Awesome!

You go down the tunnel at all?

Yes, I went down the tunnel, just came to a sealed end. The tunnel goes under the train tracks and original went to another building on the other side, that building is long gone. Although knowing rumors of tunnels, I did make it into basements of surrounding building trying to find one to get into the building but no luck.

Posted by Skye_Ann
Baby pidges! <3

Glad they made you happy, odd looking animals and I was surprised to find they nested on the ground.

Posted by Elwood_Blues
Glad you were able to get in for a look..!

Wonder.. if your town has a preservation society?

If so.. might make a copy of those shots.. or just put them on a thumb drive and drop them in their mailbox after the building is demolished..

I'm sure they would appreciate the anonymous gift..

That is a good idea, there are so few historical records to anything in this town, it is a real shame.

Posted by puddlejumper12
18 looks just like my friend's apartment, no joke. Nice photos! Shame it has to go.

wow...your friend needs some help.

Posted by G to the Race
Within the past year or so I went in the tallest building in my mid-size hometown. It was like 8 or 10 stories high and housed some defunct businesses and an old-timey bank that looked like banks from golden-age Hollywood films. I loved the mail chute w/the forged metal covers and the doors that could open just the top part. I guess we have better ways of doing stuff now but those old ways sure looked cooler.

It is amazing to see how things were and imagine what life was like then. Even in this case, these were considered 'luxury' apartments...although they didn't even have their own bathroom but instead a shared one on each floor. Perceptions change.

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post by darbycrashin

Noble Donor

Re: Closest thing to a skyscraper we have
<Reply # 12 on 3/28/2014 2:34 PM >

Very cool!

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post by Cosmic

Re: Closest thing to a skyscraper we have
<Reply # 13 on 4/24/2014 5:15 AM >

I liked the set a lot!!

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post by saywhat?

Re: Closest thing to a skyscraper we have
<Reply # 14 on 4/28/2014 9:47 PM >

Oh wow! Fantastic! Thanks for posting these.
Do you know when they're planning to demolish it?

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post by FreddyDynomite

Re: Closest thing to a skyscraper we have
<Reply # 15 on 4/29/2014 11:27 AM >

Thanks for all the comments. Demo is real soon, they want it done before the summer, tender has already been awarded. Sidewalk has been closed off and it is super sealed up now. I will hate to see it go.

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post by Elwood_Blues

Re: Closest thing to a skyscraper we have
<Reply # 16 on 4/30/2014 3:20 AM >

Don't know if your camera will do it. But even if not, you can get remote triggers with a timer built in on ebay pretty cheap...

Why I say this.. is if you can talk to the building owners / business across the street & a building or 2 down.. You might ask about getting rooftop access for the demo... & make a time lapse movie of the process...

It's a pretty big commitment time wise.. But if you do it right it can be pretty awesome!

I've done some stuff like this before.. So, if I can help out with any advice feel free to PM me..

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post by saywhat?

Re: Closest thing to a skyscraper we have
<Reply # 17 on 5/5/2014 2:29 PM >

Thanks for the info - doubt I'll have time to get in before they tear it down then. When I showed your photos to my girlfriend, she got pretty emotional because apparently her late grandfather worked in the building in the 40s and 50s.

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post by Elwood_Blues

Re: Closest thing to a skyscraper we have
<Reply # 18 on 5/6/2014 2:59 PM >

I didn't mean to get back inside..

I meant you should shoot the demo from the vantage point in shot #1.. or.. in the lower right of that photo is a red building with windows that face the target building.. that would be a good place too..

I assume they are going to hit this building with the big ole ball & chain.. It would be cool to make a time lapse movie of them taking it down..

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post by FreddyDynomite

Re: Closest thing to a skyscraper we have
<Reply # 19 on 5/7/2014 1:21 PM >

Word is that it is coming down within the next two weeks, last chance. I might try to get in once more before it happens. Very interesting idea to do a time lapse, I will check into the possibility.

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