CBO recommends demolition of vacant Dunsmuir Hotel; cites public safety

The 115 year old Dunsmuir Hotel could soon see its final day.

The city’s Chief Building Officer (CBO) submitted a report recommending the adoption of a resolution to declare the building a danger to public safety. If adopted, the property owner will be required to demolish the structure. The building is owned by 500 Dunsmuir Property Ltd., a subsidiary of Holborn Properties.

Following an on-site inspection with third-party engineers, the CBO determined the structure cannot be stabilized in a safe and timely manner.

Built in 1909, the property contains 167 single-unit accommodations, originally housing a hotel. The building has also had other uses such as a shelter. The property has been vacant since 2013.

Years of neglect and exposure to the elements has resulted in severe water damage, contamination from hazardous building materials and wildlife biowaste, and compromised structural integrity. The main concern outlined in the report is the roof. Ponding in the southeast and southwest corners has allowed significantly moisture to infiltrate the structure, with rot found through two to three stories in the southwest. In the southeast corner, damage can be found all the way down to the ground floor which collapsed into the basement.

The extreme neglect and deterioration of the base structure makes remediation near impossible.

“Building maintenance, regardless of a building’s occupancy status, is the responsibility of the property owner. While the City had been aware of the building’s deteriorating condition, the full extent of the damage only became evident recently,” a release from the City states. “Upon learning of the severity, the City acted immediately to conduct inspections, engage third-party experts, and ensure that appropriate actions were taken to protect public safety.”

But some members of the community are angry about the potential loss of a heritage building at the hand of over a decade of neglect by the owner and a lack of accountability by the city. The building is listed on the Heritage Registry, but is not otherwise subject to heritage protection.

“This is incredibly frustrating and disappointing that Council are being put in the position of being asked to vote on the demolition of a heritage building that was built in 1909,” Councillor Sarah Kirby-Yung, posted on X. “Reportedly because: ‘Vacant since 2013, the structure has suffered extensive damage from years of neglect’ and is now deemed unsafe. We have such little remaining heritage this makes me angry. I’ll be asking a lot of questions at Council to get the full facts.”

The report will be considered at a special council meeting on Dec. 18 at 3:00 p.m.