SALT LAKE CITY, UT – An eight-foot bronze statue of the late Vasilios Priskos was unveiled on January 3 honoring the business leader’s life and contributions to the development of downtown Salt Lake City, Deseret News reported. Priskos passed away in October 2017 from cancer at the age of 53.

“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,” Deseret News reported.

“Husband, father, entrepreneur and philanthropist, Vasilios Priskos touched the lives of many in our community. 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,” she said, Deseret News reported.

Priskos was born in Evia, Greece and was brought to the United States by his parents, Chris and Tula Prazikos Priskos, in 1966. The immigrant family lived in Salt Lake City, opening the Royal Eatery on the corner of 400 South and Main Street in a building once known as the New Grand Hotel. Priskos and his brother Deno later bought the building which was one of the many owned by Priskos and the company he founded and acted as principal broker for, InterNet Properties Inc.

InterNet Properties became a major downtown property owner, Deseret News reported adding that “Priskos was a renowned local developer, real estate magnate and advocate for historic preservation of downtown Salt Lake City landmarks.”

Priskos had worked in the family restaurant while studying at Skyline High School and earned a finance degree from the University of Utah. Following his college graduation, “he established InterNet Properties,” Deseret News reported.

The unveiling of the statue and dedication ceremony on January 3 was attended by local Salt Lake City leaders and the community at the Vasilios Priskos Walkway on 143 S. Main, Deseret News Reported.

A statement by the Priskos family said, “Having this statue on Main Street, in the heart of downtown Salt Lake, is a tremendous honor for our 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,” Deseret News reported.

Salt Lake City Mayor Biskupski said “the statue represents the lasting legacy of a man who was ‘a true champion of downtown,’” Deseret News reported.

Sculptor Daniel Fairbanks said, “It is a great privilege to be the sculptor of such a significant monument that honors Vasilios Priskos. 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,” Deseret News reported.