Vancouver – A Passion for Heritage

The Grand Tour – or Two

Casa Mia driveway — At the grand entrance to Casa Mia

There are so many wonderful house tours every year in the lower mainland – from stylish new townhomes, to thoughtfully renovated Vancouver specials to lovingly restored heritage homes, I never tire of seeing different ways of approaching common problems: narrow hallways, an awkward kitchen layout,drafty bedrooms, how to accommodate multi-generational families – someone has an solution! Plus, the interaction with owners and knowledgeable hosts means tours are way better than a magazine, even on a rainy day! And occasionally, a tour a includes a gem like Casa Mia!

The Celtic Shipyards Challenge

At what point is a heritage building or complex no longer worth keeping? It’s a question I’ve been pondering a lot lately, after reading Heritage Vancouver’s annual Top 10 Watch List, which includes the Celtic Shipyards (#4 on the list), then speaking with a trades person who worked there recently and noted several serious safety concerns. Of course it’s very possible to restore or rehabilitate these fascinating and historic industrial buildings, but as you can see in these pictures taken last week, it would require a huge financial commitment.

Heritage and Storytelling – It’s Not Always the Perfect Fairy Tale

We hear a lot about the importance of storytelling these days – to sell a product, introduce a new idea, or attract new customers – and heritage preservation is in so many ways about storytelling, a building has value because of the stories it plays a key part in. However, as I was reminded recently at a spirited lunch discussion, part of the challenge is also examining perceptions of how Vancouver has become what it is today, acknowledging the historical facts that may get in the way of what we want to believe, and our willingness to listen, then change or adapt our thinking.

There’s No Place Like Home

What makes a heritage building worth retaining? It’s more than just bricks, wood, and mortar, it’s memories, both past and current, and a sense of emotional connection to the structure and area.

A visit to Kits Neighbourhood House recently, including a fascinating discussion of it’s history in the community, reminded me how critical the feelings of home, comfort, and belonging play in heritage preservation.

Like Minds, But Not-So-Changing Times

I picked up a copy of Vancouver Vanishes recently, what a great read! Some of the buildings mentioned are familiar, others too late to know. The book is both discouraging and uplifting, with loving tales of home ownership and interesting people, plus John Atkin’s essay “Demolition: It Happens” puts some interesting historical context into today’s events. It’s troubling to think Vancouver’s demolition habit hasn’t changed much in the past 100 years.

Vancouver Specials – Special in All the Right Ways!

A few weeks ago, I spent the day touring “Vancouver Specials” – love ‘em or hate ‘em, this uniquely Vancouver home style has many variations, with its simple rectangular form and structural design.

The tour was organized by the Vancouver Heritage Foundation, who make a very good case for older homes from many eras being sustainable and worth keeping.

And yes, the ticket looks well worn, as I did a lot of visiting!