Plans announced for demolition of fire-destroyed heritage building in Vancouver

The demolition of a Vancouver heritage building destroyed in a fire that left dozens without a home earlier this month begins Tuesday.

The demolition of a Vancouver heritage building destroyed in a fire that left dozens without a home earlier this month begins Tuesday.

Saul Schwebs, the City of Vancouver's chief building official, spoke to media at a news conference ahead of the major tear-down, explaining what those in the area need to know and how the process will work.

Schwebs said the process of demolishing the four-storey brick building in the city's Gastown neighbourhood is expected to take just three days, meaning this stage of the project should be completed by Thursday evening.

During that time, the streets, sidewalks and buildings in the area popular with tourists and locals for its shops, bars and restaurants will be closed for safety reasons.

The earliest estimate of reopening, following demolition and cleanup, is Friday, he said.

"The city will make every effort to finish the demolition process as quickly as possible, with all safety precautions in place," he told reporters gathered near the scene of the fire on Abbott and Water streets.

Some businesses will be able to operate as normal, he said, but a number located close to what was the single-room-occupancy Winters Hotel will not.