Vancouver's Historic Dunsmuir House Faces Demolition Amid Safety Concerns

Vancouver’s historic Dunsmuir House, a 115-year-old building at the corner of Dunsmuir and Richards streets, is on the brink of demolition as city officials cite serious public safety concerns.

Built in 1909, the once-iconic structure has served various purposes, including a hotel, military barracks, and shelter. However, it has been vacant and neglected for 11 years. Now, city staff have warned of the potential for a “catastrophic collapse,” particularly in the deteriorated southeast corner, where walls lack lateral support.

Public Safety and Structural Issues

In a 32-page report to city council, Vancouver’s chief building official (CBO) detailed extensive damage, including severe water infiltration, structural compromise, and hazardous conditions such as “pigeon guano inches deep.”

The report recommends declaring the property at 500 Dunsmuir Street a danger to public safety, necessitating demolition. “Should another floor in that corner collapse, it may cause a partial failure of the masonry wall or lead to a catastrophic, cascading collapse,” the report states.

Community and Heritage Concerns

Passersby and residents have expressed mixed feelings. Some support the demolition, citing safety concerns, while others lament the loss of a structure listed in the city’s heritage registry. Film student Kelso Lenz suggested the site could be converted into much-needed housing, saying, “It’s just kind of a useless building. It would be great to have more student housing.”

Civic historian and heritage consultant John Atkin criticized the lack of early intervention, saying the building could have been repurposed while preserving its historical character. “We could have had this grand reminder of the early city married to something new,” Atkin said.

Developer’s Responsibility

The building is owned by Holborn Properties, known for its stalled Little Mountain development. In a statement, Holborn’s director of asset management, Lee Medd, said the company is committed to public safety and long-term redevelopment. However, no specific plans for the site were disclosed.

If council approves the demolition plan, Holborn will have 21 days to act. Failure to do so would result in the city stepping in, with costs recovered from the developer.

A Heritage Debate

The looming demolition has sparked outrage on social media and among city councillors. Councillor Sarah Kirby-Yung called the situation “incredibly frustrating” on X, criticizing the late-stage intervention and Vancouver’s diminishing heritage stock.

Dunsmuir House, which includes 167 units designated under the city’s Single Room Accommodation bylaw, is also raising questions about penalties for removing affordable housing from the city’s inventory. Some have suggested enforcing a $300,000-per-unit penalty.

Next Steps

City council will convene Wednesday to decide the building’s fate. While public safety remains the primary concern, the debate underscores broader issues of heritage preservation, housing policy, and accountability for urban neglect.