Inside The Hotel, At the Foot
of the staircase in the Central building
We have just entered the central wing from the classic Mediterranean doorway facing the south grounds. In perspective, that is the side seen from the beach and US Highway 90. Inside the door a half-flight brings us on the main first floor landing of the staircase that spirals up the three floors in this wing. This photo was taken from that landing. The cleanliness is apparent, and one notices the missing banisters and window panes. Few of the banisters remained intact but some were preserved as models for replacements when this stairway is restored. On either side of us is the long east-west hallway that runs the whole length of the building. Two years ago, this stairway was littered with debris. The cleaning of the trash and the removal of all the wooden window panes for restoration are only the early signs of what will be a long, loving, and hopefully a successful task.
Heading West down the main Hallway
on the second floor. The first thing you notice again is the cleanness of the place, and the neat, even columns of old window panes lined up properly outside of their former rooms. This scene repeats itself throughout all three floors in the middle building. Also noticed is that, excepting our hosts, not one single worker is spotted in this building or taller East tower; at the end of June, all of the work is centered around the older West Wing and the demolition areas.
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Next: Demolition of the Collapsed-Roof Section.
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