The Last Bachelor Pad

Most of you in relationships probably remember your last bachelor (or bachelorette) suite. Being as how I only married in 2009, I remember mine quite vividly…not that the passage of time could let me forget such an interesting place.

I had one of those houses turned apartment buildings, a favourite even when I was a teenager.

When my wife and I moved in together we discovered very quickly we needed more space and a bit of an upgrade and we moved out of my little 400sq/ft one bedroom.

That was about three years ago, in the fall of 2007.

Since then we pass it sometimes, even go out of our way to have a quick look to see if it had been condemned. Bankview properties have been slowly dug up and replaced with condos over the last five to ten years. It’s a shame because the older houses are what give the area character, and there aren’t many left.

A couple months ago the front door was boarded up; I could barely contain my glee.

I was very eager to see what the inside had to offer photographically, and I had been in every room in it at some point or another so there wouldn’t be that many surprises. I grabbed another photographer and we let ourselves in.

There were four levels in all including the basement, with a couple suites on each floor. I knew the basement was our best place of entry and I was right, we got inside with minimal effort.

Lots of random furniture was left behind in every room, and there was extensive water damage on the second and third floor. Some areas we definitely walked with caution, as the ceiling was caving in on the floor below.

It was surreal to be inside a building and see your own breathe, simple reminders of where you are.

Suite four was mine. There was writing on the front door, not the most welcome message. Definitely squatters living in the building and likely my suite, judging by the placement of bankets and pillows inside.

A couch I left behind was still there, so it must have been used by at least two tenants after me (and the squatter).

When we were ready to go city workers showed up. Saw us after we left the building, but not leaving it. Still, enough of a scare to make both our stomachs turn.