Del Mar Hotel

Originally the Cadillac Hotel, this Edwardian brick building was built in 1912 to the design of William P. White. It originally housed an auctioneer’s showroom at the street level, and since the 1960s housed art galleries. Upstairs were 30 rentable rooms.

In 1972, George Riste purchased the hotel. In the 1980s, BC Hydro owned most of the block and prepared to build its new headquarters. They tried numerous times to buy the Del Mar Hotel and demolish it, but Mr. Riste refused to sell on principle. BC Hydro eventually gave up and redesigned to build around the hotel. In his will, Mr. Riste specified that the building is not to be sold.

Today the building continues to house tenants and the main floor is the Contemporary Art Gallery.

Source

VHF's Places That Matter plaque project

More information

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/the-heartfelt-hotel-a-monument-to-a-friend-of-the-poor-and-of-the-arts/article4080940/