Quote:
Originally Posted by MIPS
Yes, that's how it works. The land is WAY more valuable than the building, but the status of the building prevents redevelopment and the building is far too small and old to ever turn a notable profit with so you board it up, maintain security and let nature do the rest. Because I doubt anyone has ever wondered if that building was on the register, there was no push to deal with it being essentially left to rot until it was too late and "oops, oh well. Guess we'll have to demolish it and build something new there! :^) "
At least New York in the 70's had the modesty of developers torching the blocks to justify redevelopment.
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Generally, that's not how it works in Vancouver. Most developers and building owners are responsible, and willing to incorporate heritage elements. It's relatively rare for owners like Holborn or the Sahotas to allow a building to deteriorate to the point that it's unsafe.
This building was part of almost the entire city block owned for redevelopment, so it's size isn't relevant. The facades could have been incorporated into a larger development, Westbank just retained the Stanley and New Fountain hotel frontages. Reliance are adding new floors above a Beatty Street warehouse. Amacon saved three walls of the Northern Telecom / Catholic Charities building on Robson, that will be a hotel podium under a condo tower. There are plenty of others planned - a hotel and a rental building on West Pender, another rental building on West Hastings.
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