SALT LAKE CITY — One of downtown Salt Lake City’s foremost business leaders was memorialized Friday when the city unveiled an 8-foot bronze statue celebrating the life and contributions of Vasilios Priskos.

Priskos spent years supporting the development of the capital city’s downtown central business district. He died in October 2017 at the age of 53 following a long battle with cancer.

Salt Lake City Mayor Jackie Biskupski called Priskos a staunch “champion” of downtown and Main Street, who worked tirelessly to revive the area and invested in distressed properties that could be renovated into something close to their former glory.

“Husband, father, entrepreneur and philanthropist, Vasilios Priskos touched the lives of many in our community,” she said. “For those of us involved in this project, providing a place for Vasilios’ spirit to be a part of the comings and goings of the city he loved and nurtured was not only fitting, it was appropriate.”

Founder of InterNet Properties — a major downtown property owner — Priskos was a renowned local developer, real estate magnate and advocate for historic preservation of downtown Salt Lake City landmarks.

Born in the eastern Mediterranean, he emigrated with his parents at 2 years old from a tiny village on the Greek isle of Evia. His family would eventually open Royal Burger (later to become Royal Eatery) where he worked while he was a student at Skyline High School before earning a finance degree from the University of Utah. Upon graduation from college, he established InterNet Properties.

On Friday, civic and community leaders gathered for a ceremony to reveal and dedicate the statue located at the entrance of Vasilios Priskos Walkway on 143 S. Main.

“Having this statue on Main Street, in the heart of downtown Salt Lake, is a tremendous honor for our family,” said a statement from the Priskos family. “While this dedication honors Vasilios’ incredible life, its significance runs deeper. This statue represents the vibrancy of downtown, Main Street and our community at large. When people see this statue, we hope they think of Vasilios’ vision for downtown and the role our city plays on a national scale.”

Biskupski said the statue represents the lasting legacy of a man who was “a true champion of downtown.”

“It is a great privilege to be the sculptor of such a significant monument that honors Vasilios Priskos,” said local artist Daniel Fairbanks. “His contributions to the renaissance of downtown Salt Lake City are legendary and this monument will ensure that his memory endures for generations to come.”