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VANCOUVER — Vancouver’s chief building official has submitted a report recommending city council adopt a resolution to declare the 500 Dunsmuir St. building a danger to public safety. If adopted, the property owner, 500 Dunsmuir Property Ltd., owned by Holborn Properties, will be required to demolish the structure. 

The report will be considered during a special council meeting today at .  

The recommendation comes following an onsite inspection with third-party engineers. The CBO determined stabilizing the structure cannot be done safely in a timely manner, explains a notice from the city.

The building has been vacant since 2013 and has suffered extensive damage from years of neglect.

Key concerns include: 

• Severe water damage; 
• contamination from hazardous building materials and wildlife biowaste; and
• compromised structural integrity.

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,” 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.”