Grand Island Hotel, Ramsey
My World
The Grand Island Hotel has been scheduled for closure for several years now and always survived. Not now though . Time has been called on the faded Dame of Ramsey. Demolition and of the premises to be replaced with flats(apartments) has caused mixed reaction. It is fair to say the Georgian style hotel set in it's own grounds as you can see had seen better days as far as paying guests were concerned and business functions. Set alongside Mooragh Promenade which I've shown you often looking straight onto the Irish Sea, secluded and within walking distance of the main body of the town it was the place to stay. Time has not be kind to the hotel that looks like it would be at home in Florida, rather than the Island. It had become run down, a money pit and time was called. It is such a shame that plans were not drawn up earlier to rescue such a former glory but the inevitable march of time caught up with those that dragged their heels so to speak and the rescue had become too costly, too late. The Grand Island Hotel is no more. The image is just a quick snapshot, a keepsake really of the former most prestigious building in Ramsey. We still have bed and breakfast accommodation and a few smaller venues can perhaps cater for business, but this is a sad time not only for the building but the small group of staff who were there to the end. So long.
The image was taken two weeks ago. Had to act quickly before it disappeared so not my usual standard, but waiting for the right day and right conditions are a a luxury you can't afford when something is about to be demolished. Next time you pass something in your town you always intend to photograph take that photograph. Wait to long and it just might not be there anymore but consigned to the history books. Is there a building that you would regret not capturing? So long to The Grand Island Hotel for tomorrow is another day.
Klaus, Imac, Fishing Guy, Ivar, Tom, Louise, Wren, Sandy and others are to thank for the neme. Click here for more my world's.
Babooshka Ramsey Daily Photo http://dailyphotoisleofman.blogspot.com/
Would be great if the flats would mimic the style of this grand old building.
ReplyDeleteIt's a shame to see another fine building waste away like that. But you're right, you can't defer maintenance without paying for it in the long run.
ReplyDeleteGiven the abundance of featureless government office buildings in my hometown, there are very few that I'd lament not having shot. But the same unfortunate ownership that makes them flat and featureless also makes them virtually immune to the wrecking ball. The state isn't likely to pony up for new office space until the old buildings collapse of their own accord (or are condemned by the building inspectors). There is one county office building scheduled for demolition in the near future, but in my opinion that one is just about the butt-ugliest edifice ever constructed, so I'll not mourn its passing very much. The building I work in was completed in 1938, and I think some of the original fitting up is still in place. I'm pretty sure the hardwood floors on the upper stories are original (they creak like it anyway) and the few exterior details that are noteworthy would have just about had to be part of the original building. It's not nearly so interesting as the Dept of Agriculture building two doors down though. That building underwent major cosmetic surgery a couple of years ago that took the best part of a year to complete. I believe both of them are protected as historic sites, as are many of the other buildings in downtown.
ReplyDeleteWhat a shame that building is now closed. Very nice shot!
ReplyDeleteSorry to see an old building go.
ReplyDeleteSo many fine buildings are left to be demolished. There is no money to restore them.
ReplyDeleteOne of our palaces, the house where our former Queen Juliana and her family had lived for many years, is now for sale. Juliana's daughter, Queen Beatrix, had lived there when she was a child with her parents and three sisters. The palace is beautiful and has an interesting history and I sincerely hope that it will be treated with care. It's still open to the public.
Mixed feelings. I have always been happy to know it's here but is had become a white elephant. We used to enjoy Sunday Lunch and the Christmas do but the quality of service had slipped and the decor had become quite shabby. Nice tribute. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteSeems such a waste & so shortsighted of the owners. There's so much you could do with it, with just a little bit of imagination. Who's going to buy these flats anyway? There's loads here just standing empty.
ReplyDeletei like the shot. :-)
ReplyDeletei wouldn't know the right conditions for a photograph if it was sky-written by five super-sonic jets above my head.
and i have a cheap point-and-shoot to boot! {thank god for digital}.
i DO agree with you better to take a bad pic and later delete it, than wait for perfect conditions and miss the opportunity.
thank you for the post. :-)
..
.ero
Very nice composed picture. I liked the perspective very well.
ReplyDeleteI think there must be a combination of the magical landscape and camera ;)
Beautiful shot! but sad, too. Hate to see some of the old and beautiful places turned into what we have far too much of here in the states -- row upon row of apartments. I love your photos and your words! Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteTypical Isle of Man, knock it down and build some over priced flats. A real waste. It's a great photo by the way.
ReplyDeleteWhen I first saw the photo of the hotel, I thought wow - I would love to stay in a place like that! And then when I read that it is no more, it made me really sad. They really should have acted sooner to save it. What a shame. At least you have a great photo of it!
ReplyDeleteI love old buildings often snapping a shot of some structure that is no more. It is difficult to see history razed, yet also expensive to keep it alive. Now you have a piece of history in your archives. Good job.
ReplyDeleteIt's always sad to me when a hotel or old house is demolished and this one is so graceful with the green grass sloping down from it.
ReplyDeleteWhat a shame you've lost that grand hotel. And thanks for the advice about not waiting to take pictures.
ReplyDeleteIt is always sad when a great hotel like this has to be demolished, as you said it is a shame that plans were not made to rescue it.
ReplyDeleteBabooshka: That is a really neat hotel.
ReplyDeleteI visited the Grand Hotel on Mackanaw Island in Michigan.
WOW... it's HUGE!
ReplyDeleteVery nice building but quite sad to see it go down...
Oh B you did a grand job. It is a shame to see the lassie get flattened. I had my 21st there.
ReplyDeleteAs I said on my blog today , "A Crying Shame". It's lovely. Glad you captured it so beautifully.
ReplyDeleteV
V- I had this planned for today for my world and you had your own faded glories. Great minds. Will have to show you the other Brum.
ReplyDeleteThat's sad ... but good you got the photos. Chalk it up to another casualty of progress ... and in this case, economic viability. Sad all the same.
ReplyDeleteNice beautiful hotel but so sad about its closure. Hope the economy will pick up real fast.
ReplyDeleteToo bad it can't be refurbished into flats.
ReplyDeleteGlad you caught the structure with its ambience. I hope - since it's recession, perhaps it won't be brought down after all?
ReplyDeleteSo very sad. It would have made nice appartments.
ReplyDeletea sad farewell to such a fine building...
ReplyDeletea sad farewell to such a fine building...
ReplyDeletewhat a beautiful place to stay and spend a day to relax!
ReplyDeleteMyWorldTuesday
Too bad. Beautiful building. Once it is gone, it is gone.
ReplyDeleteI can imagine the beauty former days, of guests on the lawn with easels or picnic lunches. Sad.
ReplyDeleteHow fortunate we are that not all peoples of all past generations had the same thought about aging buildings - tear them all down. What would our world be today without all of the great examples of the past that are now magnificent museums, churches, exhibit halls, hotels, etc.?
ReplyDeleteAs you say, such a terrible shame to lose this grand old building. It reminds me of some of the hotels along the southcoast of England.
ReplyDeleteI am always against demolishing these beautiful old building and put modern glass houses instead ! Can't they put their appartments inside and keep the facade like it is ?
ReplyDeleteunfortunate but commerce rules..
ReplyDeleteIt's a shame.Old buildings tell the history of a place, a village, a town. When we abandon old things, it's like something dies with it. From ourselves and our history.
ReplyDeleteDoggone it. I hate to see these classic places be torn down....just awful!
ReplyDeletemagnifique architecture pour cet hôtel. En plus avec un superbe parc
ReplyDeletesplendid architecture for this hotel. On top of that with a superb park
Such a shame when such old beautiful buildings have to be demolished.
ReplyDeleteI sure looks beautful, I can picture myself on the lawn with a picnic lunch. At least there are memories that will survive if not the building.
ReplyDeleteso many old establishments closing in these hard times....
ReplyDeleteOh man... that is so sad! They can't keep the existing structure and turn those into flats?? :(
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't really surprise me. It had it's day long ago but is is sad to see the decline and demolition of the best hotel, well only hotel really in Ramsey.
ReplyDeleteSo where do we stay now? ;-)
ReplyDeleteSunshine Coast Daily Photo - Australia
Oh! I am so glad that you captured it before the D day! It was grand.
ReplyDeleteThanks for coming my horsey blog. Yep, this mare is aloof or in my pocket. One or the other!
KK
What a shame to see such great building disappear...
ReplyDeleteI expected Poirot or Miss Marple to suddenly appear in the photo. Sad that they allowed such a grand building to lose it's glamour and that it will not be regenerated.
ReplyDeleteLike said before this looks just like the setting for a Poirot-movie. Those buildings need a lot of love and care.
ReplyDeleteIt is so sad to see the passing of an icon. Sometimes it need not be demolished to lose its style, grace and magic. The Raffles Hotel in Singapore was remodelled and although it still has its grand entrance, it was brought into the 21st century, losing all its colonial charm. The famed Raffles'
ReplyDeletebar is no longer what it was.
In some regards when one sees landmarks one has known from childhood go, it may be time to soon follow them.
I love those grass terraces! The scene is quite romantic...i can just imagine the knights and maidens...lol
ReplyDeleteThanks for the good advice. I will be more aware now. Glad you got to capture the old lady before she implodes.
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks for commenting on my blog, that was awesome.
LL
Wasn't the deal that they couldn't knock her down until there was another decent hotel in Ramsey? How's that coming on?
ReplyDeleteIn the papers: 26 September 2008
PLANNERS have given the go-ahead for a new hotel and 96 residential apartments to be built on Mooragh Promenade, Ramsey.
The site occupies the corner of Park Road and Premier Road, and faces the promenade. Two existing bungalows would be demolished.
The planners have also given approval in principle for the Grand Island Hotel to be demolished and 68 apartments built in its place – with the stipulation that the new promenade hotel must be operational and trading before the Grand Island is demolished. A legal agreement has been drawn up to ensure this will be the case.
Both plans were submitted by Seymar Developments, owned and operated by millionaire Andreas resident Trevor Hemmings.
I recently heard that Trevor Hemmings has not been given the go ahead. The deal was not too demolish until a deal was secured for appartments to be built but it seems now the future is unclear.
ReplyDeleteI cannot beieve the G.I. has gone. Worked there for a few years early 2000 on.Great memories,wonderful old place.
ReplyDeletePauline Boden
ReplyDeleteI worked there as a Receptionist in the late 1960's. I think it was then owned by Trust House Forte'. The Manager was Mr Quinlan. I had an amazing life experience and loved every minute of it including the TT. I watched Mike Hailwood and Agastini race. I deeply regret not returning to the Island. So sorry this beautiful building is lost forever.
Pauline Boden
ReplyDeleteI worked there as a Receptionist in the late 1960's. I think it was then owned by Trust House Forte'. The Manager was Mr Quinlan. I had an amazing life experience and loved every minute of it including the TT. I watched Mike Hailwood and Agastini race. I deeply regret not returning to the Island. So sorry this beautiful building is lost forever.