Coming across an abandoned building that hasn’t already been photographed and featured in books and blogs is always a treat, albeit an at times terrifying one, with any noise being unnerving and absolutely no way of knowing what’s waiting on the other side of its walls.
Still, slight apprehension aside, such a chance happily arose with the Hotel Queen, a love hotel that lost that loving feeling a long time ago, although for whatever reason the small office/main building remained in use for far longer.
But not anymore.
And while the hotel’s fairly reasonable number of rooms were sadly sealed, the office wasn’t, with pointers of the place’s past decorously,
and indeed indecorously, dotted about.
Inside, however, it was more a mix of private and professional — the likes of blankets and a few belongings in the bedrooms almost giving them the air of still being lived in.
Along with a jumble of possessions littering the sort of home-cum-hotel hub section of the building.
All compactly combined with the paraphernalia apparently needed to run such a place, like a plethora of post-its,
and pipes that presumably propelled other kinds of paraphernalia to the punters.
But obviously the customers eventually dried up, so to speak, and the location’s lucky cat clearly didn’t manage to make enough money.
A situation that eventually resulted in the sorry state of affairs that now exists, with the sad sight of several loved faces,Â
that haven’t been looked at in a long time.
Along with a schedule that is equally unstudied.Â
Plus, as is invariably the case with such places, there’s always something that’s unfathomable, and this time, despite the last person punching in sometime in September 2008,
the central entertainment system seated next to a samurai was unsettlingly still switched on.Â
Prompting me to speedily cycle off.
Karasu says
Any idea when-to-when this place was in operation? Those photos of erm, photos on the bulletin board would suggest late 80’s or early 90’s? It amazes me that some of these places have fixtures and personal possessions that are dotted about that look almost brand new and then walls and furniture that are all completely ruined or worn down. Sometimes vice versa. I know there are people that come into the haikyo beside you that probably leave stuff behind, but not all of it could possibly be theirs. =P
Lee says
Tough to say really Karasu, but it’s along one of my cycling routes, and I reckon it hasn’t been open for business as a love hotel for a good few years now. The office part on the other hand has been in use in some form or another, and the time card seems about right as I checked it out a few times last year and there were lights on.
Going past the other day though I noticed the few things pictured strewn about outside and realised that it was now totally abandoned. At least I think it is, the power being on was a bit of a worry.
One window had been smashed and the safe had been removed, so I’m convinced that everything in there is what was left behind. And apart from those after money, I’m pretty sure I’m one of — if not the — first haikyo(er) to go in there. These places unfortunately get smashed up pretty quickly, but everything was almost completely intact.
A very lucky find indeed.
Sandra says
Unbelievable. The (international!) family photos, cordless phone at the ready, and system switched on. Wonder if someone comes back from time to time?
Lee says
I didn’t notice that the power was on until I was just about to leave Sandra, and it did surprise me. Well, worry me more like. I’m sure nobody has been back there for a long time, but there again why would there still be power on? It’s a strange one.
Haikyo is one thing, but I certainly don’t want to cross the line into breaking and entry…
MrSatyre says
This reminds me of an old factory I wandered around in back before the dawn of digital cameras. It must have been abandoned for thirty or forty years; in fact, most of the upper floors were completely missing, and one wall and most of another had come completely down. And yet, in spite of all this, a large ventilation fan up in one far corner was spinning away full throttle. Really bizarre.
cre-cre says
I am still amazed that there are still things in good condition there, seriously. Here they wouldn’t last a day, even the fences and windows will get torn apart and taken away. It amazing how much willpower gypsies have in them. 😀
Rob says
I’m surprised with all the stuff people would leave behind… you’d think they’d sell it off on ebay ^^
Wouldn’t homeless people move into places like this ?
Lee says
A few of the places I’ve been to have had homeless people living there at some time Rob, but thankfully they haven’t been there when I’ve visited.
PeterD says
I am with Rob. Seems that if a company went under in the States, they would take anything of value, basically leaving just an empty building. At the very least, the personal items (photos of the family and such) would be taken by the employees on their way out the door.
JD says
Wow. You just found this on your bike? Amazing.
Lee says
Yeah JD, pretty lucky eh?
I had been keeping my eye on the place though.
Yoli says
What eventually happens to these places? Do they get reborn into other hotels/office spaces, or do they make apartments to rent out of them? Just curious. As always your photography very poetic.
Lee says
Cheers Yoli.
They are either knocked down or more than likely just left to slowly decay. Especially if they are a bit off the beaten track. Buildings aren’t made to last here, so there’s no chance of them being converted into something else.
der says
I find these pictures of abandoned buildings really unsettling. I just can’t imagine the circumstances under which you would close a business in such short notice that you wouldn’t even clean up the desks etc. (Or rather, all that I can imagine comes from the plots of horror movies.) I mean, if they have to close because business is bad, aren’t there standard procedures for doing so? Lenders that want to get back as much as possible etc.? There surely can’t be that many places where the owners had to disappear from one day to the next.
Lee says
I know what you mean der, it does seem strange to leave so much stuff behind, but it can cost a small fortune to get rid of used things here (especially electrical appliances), so it’s no doubt easier, and indeed cheaper, to just up and leave.
Admittedly that doesn’t explain the more personal possessions. And I can’t think of a reason that does. But that said, I’m glad they do, as it make for fascinating, if at times unsettling, discoveries.
Paul H- says
So this place is actually properly abandoned … interesting. I tried to enter last December but there was a kind of sensor alarm that sounded when I walked in the forecourt which put me off going any further. I bet there’s some more interesting rooms in that place … shame they’re not accessible!
MJG says
Ah, the sensor Paul speaks of. I remember almost being scared off by that. I pressed on anyway- when I was there some time last year (also via bike) the office looked very much like it was still in use. All the rooms sealed as you say. I figured it might have been on hiatus, awaiting a revamp. Seems they might have just given up on it though.
Anon says
Prob a studio location for porn shoots or a den for squatters. In either case not quite a true representation of it’s former beauty.