KITCHENER — The city is ordering the demolition of the historic Mayfair Hotel because the 110-year-old building poses a public safety risk, according to a decision made Thursday.

Two independent engineers provided by the city and the property owner, Bernie Nimer, concluded the building had significant structural damage.

Their report, submitted Thursday, prompted the city's chief building official, Mike Seiling, to issue an order to remedy an unsafe building. Nimer has until next Tuesday to apply for a demolition permit to take down the building at 11 Young St.

"It was a tough decision to make," Seiling said in an interview. "I had two engineers' report and there were just no other options."

The Mayfair has been vacant since 2007. The city hoped to designate it as a heritage site under the Ontario Heritage Act, voting on the intent to designate in 2008.

A pipe break on Saturday launched the investigation into the building's condition. Seiling found significant flooding and damage. He called engineers in to assess possible repairs but they said the building was too far gone.

And last weekend's water damage isn't the only reason why the site is deemed unsafe.

According to the engineers' report, some structural deficiencies also pose safety concerns. Young Street will remain closed to vehicle, foot and bicycle traffic as vibrations can alter the building's condition.

Mayor Berry Vrbanovic said he was disappointed when he heard the news.

"I understand why this decision had to be made. Public safety is our No. 1 concern," he said in an interview.

Nimer bought the hotel in 2013 and has invested heavily in the downtown. He redeveloped several old buildings including the Shoppers building at King and College streets and 41 King St. W.

The city was anxious to spur development in the parcel, which sits in a prominent location on King Street across the street from city hall.

Seiling said Nimer's architects and engineers had been peeling away additions tacked in over the years to reveal the site's bare bones as recently as last summer.

He had talked about putting in a boutique hotel and possibly a restaurant-club. It suffered $250,000 of water damage in 2013 when a pipe burst.

The historic site was built in 1905 by Edward Lippert and operated as a furniture store until 1976. It has changed hands several times. The city bought the building in 2000 to serve as low-income housing for up to 55 men until 2007. It has sat empty since then.

Because of the city's intent to designate the building, it cannot be demolished without support from city council. A special meeting will be held on April 23 to request the removal of the designation to allow demolition.

University of Waterloo architecture professor, Rick Haldenby, said in an email he was disappointed to see the loss of another historic Kitchener building.

Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading...

Vrbanovic said city staff plans to work with Nimer to salvage heritage features including bricks and metal from the staircase, if safe to do so.

- Burst pipe results in $250,000 cleanup at Mayfair Hotel in Kitchener

- Mayfair block plans outlined to Kitchener council