Quote:
Originally Posted by Prometheus
I wonder why its closing? I really hope it is not because the building ownership is applying for a heritage alteration permit in the hopes of demolishing this heritage building, which forms an integral part of Vancouver's only coherent heritage district.
Also, would it not be a part of the public record whether such an application has been made and/or granted?
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The new owner is indicated to be Steven Lippman. He has bought a series of DTES Single Room Occupancy hotels, renovated (not seismically, but aesthetically), and re-rented them at much higher rents, with fancier tenants in the main floor. He did the American on Main (although the first version, the Electric Owl didn't do so well, and it reopened as the American more recently). He also did a Powell Street SRO that has the Cuchillo restaurant, and East Georgia with Mamie Taylor.
He also did seven of the buildings on the 100 block of West Hastings, across from Woodwards. Unless he is thinking of redeveloping (which is very unlikely) he would only need renovation permits. It's reasonable to think he could convert the hostel to rentals units, and he could find a restaurant tenant without much difficulty.