Delmar Hotel

Dwarfed in size by the massive BC Hydro tower, the Delmar Hotel still stands in the 500 block of Hamilton Street.  Built in 1912, BC Hydro tried to acquire this Edwardian style building in the 1980's.  Much in the same way that owner Fred O'Hagan of the Kingston Hotel refused to sell to telecommunications giant Telus last year, George Riste owner of the Delmar Hotel also stood his ground in the 1980's. Other properties on the block were sold but eventually B.C.Hydro gave up hopes of acquiring the property and designed their building around the site.
In 1990, typographic artwork written with artist Kathryn Walter was installed on the front facade: UNLIMITED GROWTH INCREASES THE DIVIDE.
George Riste died in 2010. He was 89 years old. The Delmar Hotel still stands. 

Preventable Teams Up With Amazing Laughter Statues

Decked in bright orange life jackets, Yue Minjun's Amazing Laughter sculptures are being used to help Preventable, BC Hydro and the Red Cross promote water safety over the summer holidays.
With over 50 deaths related to drowning and water related incidents recorded in BC on an average year, Preventable has stepped up it's campaign to promote water safety and the use of life jackets and personal flotation devices. The sculptures are definitely eye catching and it's hard to miss the message.