It left a hole…between 2 holes, and in my heart

I worked on Albert Street for almost 8 years. I have seen the north block flourish – boutiques, restaurants and cafes. It was a fun place to work and hang out.

Except for the southern end, by Notre Dave Avenue. My block. The Vault Salon moved in – and out.  That building was also home to a tribe of legit (and promising graffiti) artists trying to make it in the “straight” world.  They were almost there.  Now they are gonzo.  That building is today vacant and empty, and dying from neglect on Albert Street.

Then there were the promises of boutique hotels for the weirdly derelict St Charles Hotel and the equally dismal welfare hotel – the ironically named Royal Albert.

The St Charles was the haunt of street people, day and night. Some had made their way inside via the fire escape and told me they were living in the dead and empty space.  The latter was the haunt of metal  heads and musicians many of whom launched careers in the musky dungeon of a venue there. Lots of people referred to these places as sh*t holes, which for the most part they were, home to squatters and welfare folks, cash machines for the owners getting rich on the backs of the poor….oh yeah, and the metal heads (who are actually quite lovable). Sh*t Hole Row – south Albert Street.

When the venerable institution Ken Hong’s Chinese Restaurant got a makeover last year, we all thought that it could be the beginnings of a rebirth for that short southern stretch of our beloved street. But it was not to be.

The huge fire this week destroyed the restaurant, the metal music shop, and another small vacant building, that split the block, leaving yet another gaping hole between the 2 sh*t holes.

I watched as the last smoldering remains were demolished. (taken with my iPhone – my D800 has still not arrived!)