10 Jun haunting imagery of the reliance building prior to it’s major overhaul and conversion into a “boutique hotel”

undated kodachrome slide courtesy of the john vinci collection.

i recently stumbled across several images taken by an amateur photographer of the reliance building prior to extensive renovations – both inside and out – in preparation for it’s new life as a classy “boutique” hotel.

the images are raw and gritty. no editing was done. each and every photograph captures the misery and neglect found throughout the building – as it stood, frozen in time.

i pour over these images time and again in utter disbelief. such a remarkable building just left to die a slow and painful death.

undated kodachrome slide courtesy of the john vinci collection.

at the end of the day however, there was/is a happy ending. if you have ever visited and/or stayed in the hotel, you will quickly realize that architects and artisans involved in the restoration did a remarkable job at uncovering and/or recreating some of the architectural features that were wiped clean during countless renovations. in addition, you will or should fully appreciate the sensitivity towards preserving as much of the existing materials (e.g., doorknob and escutcheons, ironwork and more).

despite delving into the dark side with this imagery, one can rest assured that the building, as it stands, looks almost as it did when atwood and burnham were around overseeing its construction.

undated kodachrome slide courtesy of the john vinci collection.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JAY BOERSMA