The historic century-old Cecil Hotel is set to be demolished as it is beyond repair, according to the Calgary Sun.
When the hotel opened in 1912, it was meant to accommodate travelers and blue collar workers in its 57 rooms and dining area. But over the century, the building has been poorly maintained.
Calgary City Council purchased the propery in 2008 for $10.9 million in a bid, however, it failed to take immediate action to restore it and prevent further degradation.
This was compounded by the 2013 floods in the city, which impacted the building severely and caused structural integrity issues. Demolition is now the building’s only feasible option.
“It’s unfortunate but it cannot be salvaged — the structure itself can’t be saved,” Susan Veres, spokeswoman for the Calgary Municipal Land Corporation, told the Calgary Sun
Neon sign from #CecilHotel coming down for preservation. Hotel will be razed. #yycheritage pic.twitter.com/7820TF52km — Harry Sanders (@harry_historian) August 14, 2015
With one of Calgary’s oldest hotels slated for the demolition, there is most certainly an urgency to protect and restore the city’s other historic buildings. Calgary has six pre-World War One era hotels, with the Cecil Hotel being among the properties.
Here’s the social media reaction to the decision:
The beginning of the end for the Cecil Hotel as the old neon sign comes down. #yuck #calgarysun pic.twitter.com/PFO1HZZBjd
— mike drew photo (@mikedrewphoto) August 14, 2015
@DruhFarrell @collenbe @RENXca this is happening now…Cecil Hotel sign is being salvaged 🙂 pic.twitter.com/BTYcePyQM6
— Evan (@Monkeyslick) August 14, 2015
Lucky to see the Cecil Hotel sign come down. I have it as art at home. pic.twitter.com/eLkrsZe5NV
— Daorcey Le Bray (@Daorcey) August 14, 2015
Iconic Cecil Hotel sign to come down this morning. Hotel to be demolished. #yyc pic.twitter.com/KiKIsGjLxt
— Jenna Freeman (@JennaNFreeman) August 14, 2015
Turns out the Cecil Hotel has to come down, and there’s no saving it. Its sign will be saved. #YYC pic.twitter.com/JViC6LWQIl
— Erin Lawrence (@tvchick13CTV) August 12, 2015
Cecil Hotel was one of only 6 pre-WW1 hotels left in #YYC Neglect, fire, flood blamed for its impending demolition. pic.twitter.com/bCIYaokJmQ
— Erin Lawrence (@tvchick13CTV) August 12, 2015