The Way is Shut

An explorer can expect with some infrequency that he or she will not be able to gain access to an abandonment. The local lingo for this called 'being skunked'. This does not happen often to an experienced explorer as they would have undoubtedly have 'scouted' the location a few times, softly probing for possible points-of-entry.









Akin to many non-renewable resources, we have simply explored most (if not all) abandonments locally and must now cast our urban exploration nets further. The drawback to this (in addition to the cost of fuel to travel there), is that one is not afforded the opportunity to properly scout the location and chances of being 'skunked' rise dramatically.

This was the case when we traveled to photographically explore the Royal Connaught in Hamilton and the Regal Constellation on the airport strip in Toronto . . .

The way is shut.
It was made by those who are dead, and the dead keep it.
The way is shut.

The Royal Connaught was a grand hotel in every sense of the word and had been explored numerous times by many explorers. Unfortunately, idiot vandals and tag-monkeys attracted attention of the owners who ensured that the point of access to this beautiful building was secured against entry.

Having driven almost two hours to Hamilton and being denied this UrbEx jewel was very disappointing to say the least. To slake our thirst for exploration, we walked a block or two over to the abandoned Century Theatre which I had already previously explored . . . this too had been most firmly secured against our entry.


All was not lost however, we still had another chance to explore the retrolicious Regal Constellation on the Dixon Road airport strip. Again, this location had been throughly explored by others and the amazing images posted in their UrbEx galleries only served to deepen our disappointment when we discovered a dozen or two contractors on site active with the process of demolition for the upcoming redevelopment of the property.

Unfortunately, I am only able to provide you uninteresting exterior photographs of these beautiful buildings. Perhaps latter, if they have not yet been demolished I will be able to treat you to wonderful images of delicious decay and stories of their rich history.

:(