In true Vancouver fashion, all good things must come to an end with not one, but two condo towers.
The West End’s iconic Cloud 9 Revolving Restaurant and Empire Landmark Hotel at 1400 Robson St. is going to be torn down to make way for the structures, with Sept. 30, 2017 marking the last day of operation for both businesses.
Sales manager, Christina Ko says she’s been hearing disappointment from several customers. “They're very sad about this, a lot of them have memories in regards to a special day, whether it's anniversary, birthday or even proposals. We have lots of proposals up there,” she says.
Ko says the sky-scraper will come down, but she’s not sure how.
“They are planning on building two towers of condos. It's coming down. They're not going to blow it up, because we have residential behind us. . . I would assume they would tear it down piece by piece.”
To commemorate the final days of the pre-Expo ’86 relic, the hotel has put together a special “grand finale” package, and the restaurant’s menus will have “quite a few items that are very exotic.”
Built in 1973, the Empire Landmark Hotel is the tallest standalone hotel tower in Metro Vancouver, and views from the revolving restaurant up top supposedly pale in comparison competitors.
“It is a special venue. We do have the best view in town. . . no obstructions, there [are] no tall buildings close to us. It's a beautiful sunset right now,” says Ko, who spoke to Westender late afternoon yesterday.
The grand finale package starts at $399 per night, but Ko says there are other, less expensive ways to enjoy the view. The lounge, for example, is a popular place to enjoy a drink.
Vancouver's other revolving restaurant, the Top of Vancouver at Harbour Centre (555 West Hastings St.), remains open.
