The historic Wilmar Estate in the old Southlands neighbourhood of Vancouver may get a new life.

Developer and heritage advocate James Evans told the Straight by phone that he is hoping to start construction this year.

The almost one-hectare property with a 1925 mansion is associated with Willard Kitchen, then a director of the Pacific Great Eastern Railway, which became B.C. Rail.

Evans bought the property in 2015. At the time, the estate at 2050 Southwest Marine Drive was owned by the Vancouver Foundation. The charity received the property as a gift from Judith Jardine, the last heiress of the Kitchen family.

Evans had been involved in a previous attempt to redevelop the property. "I've been working on this project since 2012," he said.

However, city hall didn't favour his proposal then to develop eight homes in the property. That included two new homes in the old mansion, and the conservation and conversion of a coach house into a residence.

Under his new plan, the 9,000-square-foot heritage mansion will be restored and converted into two residences. In addition, five new single-family homes will be built on the remainder of the estate. The coach house will be used as a garage and amenity space.

Before anything can happen, however, Vancouver city council must sign off on a heritage-revitalization agreement.