Dunsmuir Hotel demolition to begin next week

The City of Vancouver says the historic Dunsmuir Hotel will be demolished by the end of the month after the Chief Building Officer (CBO) declared the 115-year-old building a danger to public safety.

Last month, Vancouver city council voted to approve the demolition of the heritage building in the downtown core. In an update Friday, the city says work is expected to begin on Jan. 17 and conclude Monday morning, Jan. 20.

Built in 1909, the property contains 167 single-unit accommodations but has been vacant since 2013.

During an on-site inspection, the CBO determined that years of neglect and exposure to the elements resulted in severe water damage, which has compromised the structural integrity of the building. Since the inspection, the southeast corner of the ground floor has collapsed into the basement.

Originally, the city says it sought the expertise of an experienced third party on preserving the heritage features of the building’s exterior. But the consultant estimated that preservation would add approximately 14 months to the demolition and pose significant safety risks.

“Based on this assessment and the imminent risk to public safety, the CBO has determined that the condition requiring safe preservation of heritage components cannot be fulfilled and the demolition must proceed without delay,” the city said.

The city says the owner, Holborn, a Vancouver real estate developer, neglected the building to the point where demolition became its only option.

Last month, Holborn told 1130 NewsRadio that it purchased the property with the intention of redeveloping it.

“From the outset, we have wanted to redevelop this location into a broader vision for revitalization to the benefit of the community, and we remain committed to that. Efforts have been made continuously over the years to secure the building and preserve its viability while working on redevelopment plans, and while concepts have been put forward, progress on our plans has not materialized,” Lee Medd, director of asset management at Holborn, said.

“However, we are committed to continuing to work with the city and community on a project that addresses housing needs, contributes to revitalization and safety, and respects the area’s significance,” Medd added.

The city noted its disappointment Friday, saying property owners have a responsibility to maintain their buildings.

“Allowing a property to fall into disrepair and become a hazard to public safety is unacceptable,” the city said, adding that it’s exploring stronger measures to prevent the neglect of vacant buildings by private owners.

During the demolition, some roads downtown will be closed. Those include:

• Dunsmuir Street between Homer Street and Seymour Street
• Richards Street between West Georgia Street and Pender Street

“Sidewalk access to adjacent businesses will be maintained, however road users and pedestrians are encouraged to plan ahead and allow for extra time if travelling through downtown during this period.”

—With files from Rachel Morgan