WALDORF HOTEL: CITY STEPS IN
Robertson says next council meeting will address ways to save the landmark hotel
Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson jumped squarely into the fray over the future of the Waldorf Hotel Friday, saying the hotel and its emerging place as arts and culture institution should be preserved.
He said he’ll introduce a motion at the next council meeting asking for options, and has gone so far as to suggest the city should withhold any demolition permit should the new owners apply for one.
Robertson’s unusually swift actions follow a pair of visceral social media messages he sent out earlier this week after news that the group leasing the hotel, Waldorf Productions, was shutting down Jan. 20 after they were unable to get a new lease from the new owners. They laid off 60 people.
There was significant community outrage over the news the landmark hotel, with its Tiki bar and Polynesian theme, had been sold to a developer, the Solterra Group. Waldorf Productions, the hotel’s operators, said they were unable to convince Solterra to meet with them and as a result were shutting down for lack of a long- term lease. The previous owner, Marko Puharich, retains ownership until September.
All of the public attention has taken Solterra and Puharich by surprise. On Thursday, after weathering a brisk storm of criticism, Solterra’s CEO Gerry Nichele issued a statement that “we certainly have no intention of demolishing the Waldorf Hotel. We want to work with the City to explore possible ways to retain and improve the hotel.”
But that statement appeared to do little to assuage Robertson’s concerns. He instructed City Manager Penny Ballem to report Tuesday on ways to make sure the 1947 hotel with its modernestyle architecture is saved. And he even is contemplating ways to keep Waldorf Productions operating in the hotel even though the company has publicly stated it will close Jan. 20.
“The Waldorf is both a significant cultural amenity and a major neighbourhood asset, one that resonates with people of all ages throughout Vancouver,” Robertson said in a statement. “To lose such a historic building would be a big blow, which is why we need to do what we can to protect it — we need to be building up Vancouver’s arts and culture. I want to ensure the Waldorf Hotel is protected and that we don’t lose a valuable live performance venue.”
Robertson said he wants Ballem to submit a report at the next council meeting “that would protect the Waldorf Hotel and its heritage values, including plans to prevent any demolition of the building.” He said he also wants the city to prepare a “statement of significance” for the hotel based on its cultural heritage. The mayor also wants staff to meet with Waldorf Productions, Puharich and Solterra to discuss their plans.
Gavin Crickmore, Puharich’s lawyer, said Friday the city had not yet contacted his client. He said Puharich intends to operate the hotel until Solterra takes possession. He noted that many of the Waldorf’s beloved public qualities were started under Puharich. The current operators simply didn’t have a viable business plan, he said.
Waldorf Productions acknowledged they had problems paying their rent recently, and had to get a break from Puharich.
Ernesto Gomez, one of Waldorf Production’s owners, said he was heartened by the mayor’s involvement and an outpouring of public support.
“At present time we are working with Mayor Robertson and the City of Vancouver to protect the Waldorf Hotel,” Gomez said in a statement posted at the company’s website.
“The heritage preservation of the hotel is important to us but this massive public reaction is about the destruction of a beloved cultural institution,” he said. “We are in discussions with the current landlord and we are hopeful that Solterra will respond to this watershed moment in a constructive manner.”