With new owners and an ambitious renovation plan now underway, I had the opportunity to take a look inside and document the former Cecil Hotel in Medicine Hat, Alberta. This long defunct hotel was built in 1912 to serve railway passengers from the nearby train station, but in recent decades its most notable asset has been the Cecil Bar. Often described as a friendly dive, the rest of the building was literally falling apart around it.
Looking beyond the garbage and crumbling walls, there are still some incredible treasures to be found here - but yes, it's rough lol. There are still sections of original tilework in the entryway, the old neon letters still sit atop the roof, and the massive Cecil Hotel safe is still in place. I can't wait to see what happens to these spaces in the months ahead.
