BC Housing Receives 3 Heritage Awards

The extensive renovation work done on BC Housing’s stock of Single Room Occupancy (SRO) hotels received recognition at the April 11, 2011 City of Vancouver Heritage Awards ceremony. The awards acknowledge the special accomplishments, projects and efforts which have furthered the goal of heritage conservation in Vancouver.

The Park Hotel received an Award of Honour, which is given to projects that demonstrate an outstanding contribution to heritage conservation. The Orwell Hotel received an Award of Merit, given to projects that make an important contribution in whole or in part to heritage conservation. And, the Rainier Hotel received an Award of Recognition, which acknowledges an accomplishment, project or effort which contributes to heritage conservation.

“These awards recognize the success of the partnership between us and the City to preserve an important part of Vancouver’s heritage,” said BC Housing Vice President Michael Blaschuk. “While some people saw this work as onerous, we viewed it as a responsibility. Many of our SROs were in extremely poor condition when we purchased them. It is wonderful to be recognized for bringing these buildings back to their original beauty.”