Officially opened by the Honourable Steven Mahoney on November 25th, 2003, the Cosmopolitan Hotel is a first rate example of how a rooming house on Vancouver's downtown eastside can be a contributing factor to the revitalization of the community rather than contributing to the problems of the area.
The Cosmopolitan Hotel at 29 W. Hastings was in total disrepair after housing nothing but pigeons for many years when the Central City Foundation purchased the building in 2001. After extensive renovations, the Cosmopolitan was reopened and offers 42 safe rooms for our city’s most vulnerable citizens. The Cosmopolitan Hotel was a desperately needed addition to the affordable housing crisis that continues in our city. Thanks to the extraordinary ongoing support of Central City Foundation donors, our neighbours, we were able to make this essential purchase and will continue our efforts to expand appropriate and affordable housing for our neighbours in need in the inner city.
In 2008 we found a commercial tenant for the main floor of the Cosmopolitan – Lu’s Pharmacy for Women. Lu’s is a perfect fit: a social enterprise that creates jobs and commerce in the neighbourhood and addresses a critical need. Many women in the downtown eastside have serious health problems, but they often have no healthcare provider aside from their pharmacist.
The pharmacist at Lu’s will work behind an open counter, unlike the glass or wire barriers in many inner city pharmacies. The space behind the pharmacy will house an exam room and office space for nurses, doctors and other visiting practitioners, as well as a lounge and meeting area with resource materials on health issues. The construction of the pharmacy is a partnership between the Vancouver Women’s Health Collective and the UBC School of Architecture. Funds from Central City are supporting renovations. Lu’s is scheduled to open in March 2009.
For a look at the remarkable transformation of the Cosmpolitan building during its renovation, please watch this video.
Officially opened by the Honourable Steven Mahoney on November 25th, 2003, the Cosmopolitan Hotel is a first rate example of how a rooming house on Vancouver's downtown eastside can be a contributing factor to the revitalization of the community rather than contributing to the problems of the area.