Connaught closed doors in late 2004. I remember the very day it happened. Within a week myself and a friend snuck in as they were cleaning the place out. The grand ballroom was full up to the ceiling with HUNDREDS of mattresses. They were grouping everything in the building together for an auction that took place weeks later. A lot of very historic stuff was sold there, everything went. We ended up getting caught in the basement but we were able to sample the beautiful lobby, the crappy pool and the 2nd floor hallway. I wish my friend hadn't insisted on going to the basement, I would have loved to explore the upper floors. I never got to see them. It is all so very different now. Cold and empty.
Anyway I'll have more pictures tomorrow, some better quality ones from Firestone (took a trip today with the new camera) and a new location. I will also be doing Lister Block down the road, but I'm waiting until I can get back in there with my camera. LIUNA has actually been doing a good job keeping the place sealed up, so I haven't been in for a long time.
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"Above all, Hamilton must learn to think like a city, not a suburban hybrid where residents drive everywhere. What makes Hamilton interesting is the fact it's a city. The sprawl that surrounds it, which can be found all over North America, is running out of time."
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