Darkness and neglect at Le Balmoral

On the way to dinner at Le Saint-Benoit, we pass the dark and shuttered hulk of the former Balmoral Hotel, looming darkly over the bay. This was a haven to past generations from Shell, Integra and then ICIS, famed for its 1950s wallpaper and candlewick bedspreads and fondly referred to as the "Immoral". It plays a proud part in petrochemical industry history.

It came to prominence amongst Shell travellers who were on per diem allowances and could pocket the difference, according to one Shell retiree still well-known to ICIS.

We used to say we were getting the same view as the Hotel de Paris for a quarter of the price.

It closed its doors forever in October 2006, the day after the EPCA conference, and according to the long-time concierge, Mr Ferreyrolles, it was to be redeveloped within its historic shell as luxury apartments. Clearly nothing has happened in the two intervening years, which looks very suspicious. I wonder what the story is here.