The Waldorf Hotel as a cultural landmark
It looks like the Waldorf Hotel may not be torn down after all. The City of Vancouver has issued a temporary protection order for the Waldorf, preventing its demolition until it can be determined whether or not the 64-year-old hotel can be considered a heritage structure.
Mayor Gregor Robertson says it’s an important step to prevent demolition. “Hopefully, there’s a resolution here that does enable cultural activity in the near term at the Waldorf.”
Meanwhile, the plot thickens: it turns out that the Solterra Group wasn't the only group interested in building apartments on the Waldorf lot. Waldorf Productions, the Waldorf's current tenants, also floated the idea of building housing on the site, albeit affordable housing for local artists.
Waldorf Productions' plan never made it past the idea phase, however, as the owner said NOPE. Furthermore, the Solterra Group indicated that it would not actually tear down the Waldorf Hotel (the lot on which the Waldorf resides is zoned as industrial). So Waldorf Productions' PR push may not end up doing them any favors: at the end of the day, the City's heritage assessment will most likely be the deciding factor.
The Vancouver City Council will be discussing the Waldorf's fate on Tuesday, January 15, 2013; local supporters will be showing up to demonstrate at City Hall.
