This past week, I was taken out of town on some family business, and spent last week in our nation’s capital. First off, let me say our winters are nothing compared to up there. On Wednesday Ottawa got 30 cm (12 inches) of snow… even when it does snow in Windsor, at least Essex county is flat…
However, lately it seems that every time I am out if town, things get knocked down. Last week was no exception. The first full week of 2009, has already seen the first two demolitions of the year, no news here as we’ve been waiting for them, but the Royale Tavern and The Prince of Wales are no more. Just like the TD Bank block clearance, and Christ The King, I was again out of town… Luckily some east siders, managed to grab some photos of the Royale and send them along. Anyone get any photos of Prince of Wales? I’m headed out to the U. today to co-host Scaledown radio (Noon-1:00 pm – 91.5 CJAM) with Chris Holt so I’ll grab some post demo photos later this afternoon.
From Darren, taken with his camera phone.
From regular reader CP. Like in Darren’s photo above, only the front facade remains
A view from the back shows the majority of the building scraped away.
Next door the old hair salon (formerly a liquor store) is gone, only the gaping hole to the basement remains… Anyone know why it’s left like an open pit?
Thanks to Darren and CP for getting out and shooting a few photos for us.
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Fortunately, it looks like Prince of Wales is still intact, for the time being. I swore up and down it would start on Saturday... but then we got hit by this major storm. On Friday, the building eaters took two large chunks out of the top face of the building. Looks like it may start this week, possibly even this morning.
Huh. I was told she was gobbled up. I guess that's what I get for listening to others :)
I'll check it out later today.
Andrew ,I also wondered why they didn't fill the basement of the old Liquor store with bricks & my only guess is that they may use it for a future basement ? But they may still fill it later !!!
I'm pleasantly surprised that they are carefully removing limestone sections from the facade, and other parts of Prince of Wales. Froze my hands off around 3pm today, watching, photoing and recording a video.
WT - I saw that too... The University gave the Heritage Committee their word that they would attempt to salvage architectural elements. True to their word they are doing it.
I shot some photos about 2:00 pm, I must have just missed you... Photos tomorrow am.
Also - If you post them at Windsor Visuals, please post a link over here in the comments tomorrow.
Sure thing. I'll have most of my photos on my flickr by midnight, use any or the vid if you'd like to. I'm trying my damnest to do some sort of, before and after time lapse from various spots. That area is going to look so unusually void once this whole thing is over.
I may try to be there in the AM too, although I don't know how many more days they're planning to remove the small elements.
If you take a peak in the hole where the Royal Tavern once stood, there is a door and window about 5 feet from the surface of Wyandotte. Was the grade of Wyandotte lower a long time ago when this place was built? Or is it a secret tunnel for the ghosts of Rum Runners? Very odd!
Im not sure if I see it Shawn. Are you talking the grey patch in the back corner? Hmm that does seem a little shady hehe. =D
Oh, you gotta look towards McDonalds across the streets. The door and window literally look towards Wyandotte road. That pic is looking to the back side.
It's very odd.