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HOUSING ADVOCATES SPARKLE It is always billed as an entertaining opportunity to eat, drink and prevent homelessness.
McLaren Housing Society, Canada’s longest-serving agency devoted to housing for individuals and families living with HIV/ AIDS, hosted Sparkle, its annual fireworks-viewing party to provide safe, secure and affordable accommodations for those who need it.
For the past 30 years, the society has been providing shelter for clients so they can focus on their health, wellness and recovery. From a private residence offering accommodation to five people in 1987, the firm has expanded over the three decades to provide a variety of innovative, affordable housing options and support services to nearly 300 clients in the Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island and the B.C. Interior.
This year marks the society’s 30th anniversary. A bittersweet time, the charity announced the loss of vital B.C. Gaming funding (reportedly some $90,000) at its signature soirée. The news underscored the importance of the yearly fireworks fundraiser staged at Scotia Tower.
Led by president Michael Hoche and executive director Kim Stacey, the housing advocates welcomed supporters to the pyrotechnics party held at Scotiabank’s corporate offices on the 34th floor.
Guests arrived to find a wall of wine and an array of auction items up for grabs to the highest bidder. Placards throughout the room served as reminders some people living with the disease struggle to maintain a home while dealing with their diagnosis and very much rely on the important services of the society to manage their health.
Housing is health, cried Hoche, speaking in front of the capacity crowd that convened for the party’s 13th instalment. Bolstering the charity’s fortunes, newly appointed district vice-president Sandra Boyce presented Hoche with a $5,000 cheque. The money would ignite the night of giving and fireworks.
Before the first cracker went off from Team United Kingdom, the non-profit looked to narrow the shortfall, raising more than $23,000 earmarked for its portable subsidy program, a top-up initiative to keep clients in their homes.
GEORGIA ON THEIR MINDS About 200 special guests recently gathered for an exclusive, invitation-only party at the Rosewood Hotel Georgia’s Prohibition Room to celebrate the sale of Vancouver’s storied hotel.
Pacific Reach Properties, a local family enterprise led by former physician turned entrepreneur Azim Jamal and his immigrant parents Abdul and Shamin purchased the property from Vancouver-based Delta Land Development Ltd.
Perhaps a name not familiar to most Vancouverites, the Chilliwack chicken farming family has parlayed their early fortunes into an impressive portfolio of enterprises that included a mega chain of retirement facilities.
After successfully growing and selling its 25 Retirement Concept homes for more than $1 billion to a Chinese outfit earlier this year, the family has been steadily building up its portfolio of real estate holdings, which includes properties in Los Angeles, Phoenix and Vancouver.
The purchase of the iconic 90-yearold property for $145 million is the firm’s biggest acquisition to date, to the delight of Delta Land’s Bruce
Langereis, who purchased and renovated the luxury hotel for $120 million in 2008. The businessman sang the praises of CEO Jamal, who came up from an initial offer of $130 million to trump a failed Hong Kong bid, Langereis said.
“It’s great to see continued local ownership of this downtown jewel,” he added.
At the underground party, the Moet flowed as well-heeled friends and family — and even Hollywood celebrity Vince Vaughn — raised a glass to the hotel acquisition.
“Growing up, my family and I have fond memories of the Hotel Georgia. It is one-of-a-kind and we’re thrilled to add it to our growing portfolio,” Jamal said. The downtown luxury hotel at Georgia Street and Howe will continue to be managed by Rosewood, and will retain its name.
OPUS TOASTS 15 Blocks away in trendy Yaletown, another hotel hootenanny.
Created 15 years ago, the Opus Hotel remains Vanhattan’s quintessential boutique property. Pioneer of the boutique lifestyle, the Yaletown property of 96-plus stylish rooms and iconic experiences continues to attract business people, hipsters, and rockers alike. Even singing sensation Adele said hello.
Benefiting from its voguish location and hip Opus Bar, the hotel still oozes a cool vibe attracting the city’s top merrymakers, and the industry’s top accolades.
For the fifth consecutive year, Forbes Travel Guide honoured the buzz-worthy property with its prestigious four-star designation.
Showcasing its sophisticated style and vibrant design — recent updates of its muse-inspired rooms give this popular destination even more personality — the property swung open its Davie Street doors for a celebratory bash to mark its 15 years. Hotel brand director Katherine Evans and general manager Nicholas Gandossi welcomed 300 guests — influencers, social mavens and the style savvy — to the pink carpet parade.
Attendees first mugged for paparazzi in front of the hotel’s Love Me wall mural created by Vancouver artist Cathy High before enjoying delicious food and craft cocktails from the hotel’s acclaimed La Pentola restaurant and winning Opus Bar.