To look at it now, one would never imagine how beautiful this building once was. It's life began 123 years ago as the bank of the Alpha Oil Co. The oil company failed just a couple of years later and was eventually purchased by Imperial Oil. The bank building was converted into a hotel with the addition of the third floor and wrap-around balcony c1890. It would operate under the name of the Arlington Hotel until it was purchased by the Y.W.C.A. to be used as a hostel in 1929. It served this purpose until 1947 when it was again converted into a hotel by a man named Fisher, who changed the name to the St. Clair Hotel c1950. It remained the St. Clair until the late 1970's when the name was changed to it's current one.
Collection of John Rochon
This once attractive building has suffered greatly over the years - the loss of the balcony and windows, the removal of the third floor and the parging of the exterior with concrete - have rendered this swan into an ugly duckling. I'm told that the bank vault is still in the basement - I'd like to see that.
Ha ha I'd like to see the vault too! Maybe when we are downtown we should stroll in and ask if we could take a look!
ReplyDeleteYeah, I suppose it would be worth a try!
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