Derelict Vancouver building will not be demolished on time [Video]

The owner of a crumbling 127-year-old building in downtown Vancouver is “making every effort” to comply with the city council’s order to demolish it, but will not meet the council’s 21-day deadline for doing so, according to city officials.

Holborn Properties, which owns the 176-room former Hotel Dunsmuir at the corner of Richards and Dunsmuir streets, maintains that it is committed to acting in the best interest of public safety.

In a statement to CTV News Thursday night, the City of Vancouver said its chief building official has been “in close and regular communication with Holborn,” and is “confident” that the developer is working to demolish the building as quickly as possible.

“The 21-day time limit was established to prompt immediate action from the owner, and it remains an important benchmark,” the city said.

“However, due to the complexity of the demolition process, the co-ordination required among multiple agencies … …