Long recognized on the Toronto airport strip, the Regal Constellation is one of the oldest hotels on the strip. It now sits in ruin, having been closed in 2003 after the crash in Toronto tourism concluding with the SARS crisis.
Location | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Airport Strip | ||||||
(Toronto, Ontario, Canada) | ||||||
Built :: Closed | Status | Difficulty | ||||
1960 :: 2003 | Demolished | ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ | ||||
Hazards Risk | Security Risk | AUE Rating | ||||
★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆ | ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ | ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ | ||||
Hazard Observations | Security Observations | |||||
Partial Demolition | On-Site Security |
Now, five years after closure, the demolition crews are at the site, doing what they do best. It has been said that the Regal is supposed to be renovated and rebranded; however, the evidence seems to be pointing otherwise. The top floor of one of the towers looks like a warzone, with missing wall sections and holes in the floor. The parking garage is also in the process of being torn down, but that is presumed to be because room needs to be made for a third tower on the site.
Security is still present on the site, usually found sitting in a car somewhere on the property. They're inconvenient, but avoidable if you take care going in and coming back out of the hotel. Pick your route carefully so they can't see you. Also be careful with lights inside the building if you choose to go at night; those will also give you away very quickly.
As with any site under demolition, there are a number of hazards. Paths that lead to nothing but a drop, rubble in many locations, holes in floors... if one is not careful, it is very easy to get hurt in there.
But is it worth it? Definitely. The view from the top of the towers is excellent. Some of the floors still have furniture and housekeeping equipment on them, giving them a post-apocalypse feel. It's cool and disconcerting at the same time.
So be careful, watch your step, get in there, and enjoy it!