I lived and worked in the Christian Admiral for about ten years. In the end, we could no longer afford to keep it open, and no one else could afford to purchase it or rennoavate it. We salvaged what we could, and tore it down in sections. It was quite the big deal in Cape May and south Jersey.
Thank you, ShawnBaugh. When I knew we were going to have to tear it down, I knew that I was going to spend some time with my camera looking through the lens. This one was one that I knew that I would be trying for.
Thanks, Guy. There was actually not much of a boom. It was torn down in sections, using big steel cables, looped through supporting columns, and attatched to bulldozers outside which yanked the cables/columns out, collapsing the building a bit at a time. I think there were a bit over 20 different pulls. I was there for most of them, I missed the last two. It was a very interesting process to watch and document.
Thank you, Nawitka. Funny thing is, since it came down in sections, with a week or two between, there were a few opportunities to redo the idea, but not the specific. I have quite a few from the whole effort. Maybe I'll put up one or two others that I like.
As for this being a sad day, by this time I was so tired of all the complaining that the city and other sundry buttinskis were flapping on and on about, I was glad to bring the whole thing down. It was both a relief and a fun poke in the eye. Everyone had a grand idea about what we should do with the place, without trying to see whether or not it was even possible to impliment. In the end, I think it was the various government entities as well as our lack of ready cash that killed the place. Ah well. One does the best one can.
N!W, I know just what you mean ;( When you are having difficulties everyone is quite sure that what you need most is more advice! And by perfect shot, I mean with the actual name banner beginning to fall ... that is the ultimate! Were you one of the owners?
Howdy again, Nawitka. That sign was interesting. Actually, there is no "C" (I had climbed out and taken a few of the letters down for sale during the salvage, I was able to keep one of the "A"'s from the Admiral letters), but the building falling apart makes it look like it's there. It fooled me at first, but looking closer, I was surprised.
I wasn't part of the ownership, I just worked there for about 10 years, and was in charge of maintenance. In the end I would help show prospective buyers through the place, and even showed Jack Loizeaux, the founder of Controlled Demolition Incorporated through when we were pricing out the demolition process. Of course, we couldn't afford them, which is why we wound up taking it down piecemeal. My idea was to pitch the demolition to a production company, and let them pay for the demolition costs as part of a movie shoot. Exclusive rights to a huge, historic, ocean front structure coming down in your movie? Seemed like a winner to me, anyway.
Actually, I was really enjoying this one, whoelius. It had been such a long time coming, and I was feeling a bit vindictive by that time, so I just enjoyed catching what I could of the demolition.
Comments
not1word, on January 14, 2008, said:
I lived and worked in the Christian Admiral for about ten years. In the end, we could no longer afford to keep it open, and no one else could afford to purchase it or rennoavate it. We salvaged what we could, and tore it down in sections. It was quite the big deal in Cape May and south Jersey.
ShawnBaugh, on October 11, 2008, said:
Nice photo.
not1word, on October 11, 2008, said:
Thank you, ShawnBaugh. When I knew we were going to have to tear it down, I knew that I was going to spend some time with my camera looking through the lens. This one was one that I knew that I would be trying for.
You have some great shots in your gallery.
someGuyinmasset, on January 15, 2009, said:
Boom Boom, Out Go The Lights.
Cool shot.
not1word, on January 17, 2009, said:
Thanks, Guy. There was actually not much of a boom. It was torn down in sections, using big steel cables, looped through supporting columns, and attatched to bulldozers outside which yanked the cables/columns out, collapsing the building a bit at a time. I think there were a bit over 20 different pulls. I was there for most of them, I missed the last two. It was a very interesting process to watch and document.
Nawitka, on February 10, 2009, said:
Oh. oh oh oh. That must have been a sad day. You did get the perfect shot though ... no second chances on that one. :( Good one! :)
not1word, on February 10, 2009, said:
Thank you, Nawitka. Funny thing is, since it came down in sections, with a week or two between, there were a few opportunities to redo the idea, but not the specific. I have quite a few from the whole effort. Maybe I'll put up one or two others that I like.
As for this being a sad day, by this time I was so tired of all the complaining that the city and other sundry buttinskis were flapping on and on about, I was glad to bring the whole thing down. It was both a relief and a fun poke in the eye. Everyone had a grand idea about what we should do with the place, without trying to see whether or not it was even possible to impliment. In the end, I think it was the various government entities as well as our lack of ready cash that killed the place. Ah well. One does the best one can.
Nawitka, on February 15, 2009, said:
N!W, I know just what you mean ;( When you are having difficulties everyone is quite sure that what you need most is more advice! And by perfect shot, I mean with the actual name banner beginning to fall ... that is the ultimate! Were you one of the owners?
not1word, on February 15, 2009, said:
Howdy again, Nawitka. That sign was interesting. Actually, there is no "C" (I had climbed out and taken a few of the letters down for sale during the salvage, I was able to keep one of the "A"'s from the Admiral letters), but the building falling apart makes it look like it's there. It fooled me at first, but looking closer, I was surprised.
I wasn't part of the ownership, I just worked there for about 10 years, and was in charge of maintenance. In the end I would help show prospective buyers through the place, and even showed Jack Loizeaux, the founder of Controlled Demolition Incorporated through when we were pricing out the demolition process. Of course, we couldn't afford them, which is why we wound up taking it down piecemeal. My idea was to pitch the demolition to a production company, and let them pay for the demolition costs as part of a movie shoot. Exclusive rights to a huge, historic, ocean front structure coming down in your movie? Seemed like a winner to me, anyway.
imbirska, on November 26, said:
..and this is crazy frenzy madness!! (;
not1word, on November 28, said:
Hello, imbirska. Yes, that it is for sure. Glad it caught your eye. You've got some fun shots in your gallery. Did you enjoy your trip to Cape May?
imbirska, on November 28, said:
I spent one of the best holidays there. It was very funny! (:
whoelius, 14 days ago, said:
Well, this can't have been the best day of your life, I suppose.
not1word, 14 days ago, said:
Actually, I was really enjoying this one, whoelius. It had been such a long time coming, and I was feeling a bit vindictive by that time, so I just enjoyed catching what I could of the demolition.