Vancouver Vanishes archives the destruction of character homes
Vancouver author Caroline Adderson has been so troubled by the ongoing demolition of local character homes that she decided to do something about it.
She created the Facebook page Vancouver Vanishes, with a visual chronicle of homes that are being torn down for new construction.
She likens these homes to "first-growth architecture". On the Facebook page, she writes:
"These homes were built for the middle and working class in the 20s, 30s and 40s. Very few are deemed significant enough to earn the protection of a heritage designation, but they are part of our heritage nonetheless and their demolition is not only an architectural loss. When these old homes come down, a whole history goes with them –the materials that were used to build them, the gardens, the successive owners and their secrets. These old houses are repositories of narrative. The story of our city is diminished every time one disappears."
In this video, Adderson talks about the destruction of homes, and she points out how it runs counter to the city's attempt to become one of the greenest cities.
Adderson asks people to contact the mayor or councillors if they feel concerned about what they have seen.
Comments
2 Comments
Saundra Jones
Jul 28, 2013 at 5:33pm
Thank you Caroline for putting together this amazing facebook group and video. I have just launched a website, http://www.vancouvercharacterhomes.com, providing Vancouver's first online listing site for character real estate. I am greatly saddened by many of the property descriptions I read every day basically telling potential buyers that there is only value in the land of some of these gorgeous historical homes. Followed by suggestions to rebuild a "dream home" on the land.
To me, these homes are all my dream homes. You can't rebuild that kind of charm. Hopefully, through my site, I can help in some way! :)
-Saundra
andrew dewberry
Jan 29, 2014 at 8:52am
I recently received City notification of an application to demolish and build a residence at 6188 McCleery St. The area, as noted in the context notes submitted by the, very well known, architects is full of two-storey homes. the Notice from the City and the accompanying letter on-line makes it very clear that the design is a two-storey home. But it isn't.
Most people cannot read architectural drawings and will adopt a 'live and let live' philosophy to another home similar to those in the neighbourhood. So to claim the proposal is two-storey is very significantly less controversial and likely to create much less (if any) debate.
The major problem as I see it is that if a precedent of three-storey homes is set then innumerous homes will be 'undersized' for the site potential. Hence many more homes than now will under redevelopment pressure.
My secondary concern is that this is being aided by some within the City.
Please review the scheme at http://former.vancouver.ca/devapps/pc6188mccleerly/index.htm and make your own decision.