As a photographer, I really like to explore and document different aspects of old deserted buildings that have long served their purpose and learn something about their history along the way.
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Many of these empty buildings are strangely beautiful to wander through and I like the different vibes I get from them.
Unfortunately, slow demolition by neglect, theft and vandalism seems to be all these buildings have in common.
A prime example is the Commercial Hotel building along the main street of Yass. This is one of few historic buildings in Yass that have had its large rambling interiors neglected for many years and may never be used again.
In its various stages of development, the two storey Commercial Hotel has dominated the main street of Yass for more than 170 years.
This long deserted building is now a sad reflection of what it once was.
Last drinks were served in 2005 when the Commercial changed hands and entered an uncertain future. The new owners then promptly boarded up the street level doors and windows and left it at that.
Since then, the building has been in a state of limbo as vandals and thieves routinely smash their way through what’s left of the place.
I recently explored the rear of this vast hotel and discovered all the doors had been kicked in and most of the windows smashed. I decided to take a look inside.
Old pubs never lose their smell. It’s unique. The ground floor containing the musty bars is a dark, eerie and miserable place of raggedy carpets and garish paintwork.
Other than the lingering smell of stale beer, cigarettes and urine, there is almost nothing to indicate that this was once a very old pub.
Years of dubious modernisation have destroyed any charm this historic bar once had.
One thing about exploring the interiors of deserted buildings is how quiet they are. It’s like they are insulated from the outside world and every creak and groan the building emits is amplified within its walls.
In the centre of the Commercial is a wide creaky wooden staircase that leads to the second-floor guest rooms and the large wooden verandah that overlooks Comur Street.
The little guest rooms are silent, empty and rather surreal. The scale of the rooms, the strange paint work and the soft filtered light gives me the impression I am standing in a doll’s house.
Compared to the ground floor, upstairs has not changed much for at least 100 years.
The historic Commercial Hotel is beyond the point of no return and is simply waiting to be demolished.