The building at 500 Dunsmuir Street

Update on the Demolition of 500 Dunsmuir Street

January 10 2025 –

Preparatory work and demolition of Dunsmuir House at 500 Dunsmuir Street will begin on Friday, January 17, and is expected to be complete by Monday morning, January 20. 

This follows a resolution brought forth by the Chief Building Official (CBO) and approved by City Council on December 18, 2024, declaring the building a danger to public safety due to severe structural deterioration.   

City Council amended the resolution, requiring the property owner to retain heritage features of the building, provided it could be done safely. While every effort has been made to retain these features, a third-party demolition consultant experienced with retaining similar heritage elements estimated that preserving the cornice would take approximately 14 months, posing 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 is disappointed that the owners of Dunsmuir House, a building with significant heritage value, neglected the building to the point where demolition became the only viable option to ensure public safety. Property owners have a responsibility to maintain their buildings, and allowing a property to fall into disrepair and become a hazard to public safety is unacceptable. The City is exploring stronger measures to prevent the neglect of vacant buildings by private owners. 

Schedule of work 

Preparatory work, including street closures and the setup of excavators and high-reach equipment, will take place on Friday, January 17. Active demolition will commence on Saturday, January 18, and will continue without interruption until expected completion on Monday morning, January 20.

In an operation of this scale, unforeseen circumstances may arise that could impact the schedule. Every effort is being made to complete the work as planned.

While the 21-day timeline for demolition laid out in the order concludes today, due to the complexity of the demolition process, additional time is necessary to coordinate with multiple organizations, including BC Hydro, WorkSafeBC, Fortis, and others, to ensure the demolition process prioritizes public and worker safety. The CBO has reviewed and approved the revised timeline based on these considerations. 

Traffic and noise impacts 

To safely accommodate this work, the following road closures will be in place from the afternoon of Friday, January 17, until the morning of Monday, January 20: 

  • 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. 

Additionally, to facilitate the safe and efficient demolition of the structure, the City approved a noise by-law exception, allowing work 24 hours a day. This will enable the property owner to expedite the process and minimize safety risks associated with pausing demolition. 

The City thanks residents and businesses in the area for their understanding and patience as this critical work proceeds. Updates will be provided through the City’s website and social media channels (Facebook , Instagram , X ).