Many of the apartment buildings constructed during the 1920s in Vancouver are gone.

Only a handful is left, according to Carman Kwan, an architect working to restore one from that era.

Kwan is a principal with Hearth Architectural Inc. Her company has filed an application before the City of Vancouver to redevelop The Florida, a two-and-a-half storey apartment building in the West End.

“We don’t have many buildings of that type in the city,” Kwan told the Straight in a phone interview.

Built along the lines of the modern art style dominant in the 1920s, The Florida also features detailing elements from the art deco school that was starting to assert its influence during that time.

The Florida opened its doors to tenants in 1926. A fire in November last year emptied the building, which has since been vacant.

The proposed development will rehabilitate the 1170 Barclay Street property, retaining its heritage architectural components.

“By preserving and conserving the original building which has seen healthier times in its maintenance, the West End will be able to retain another of its historical and architectural heritage gem in the downtown neighbourhood and community,” states the design rationale submitted by Kwan’s architectural company.

The plan also includes adding two storeys with a roof deck that will serve as common space for future residents.

The Florida originally had 16 residences composed of studio and one-bedroom units. The development will increase that number to 28, providing a new mix of studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom units.

Hearth Architectural Inc. also noted in the design rationale it prepared that there are two other apartment buildings in Vancouver that are similar in design with The Florida.

One is The Inverness, also in the West End. This Pendrell Street property has some features that will help guide in the restoration of The Florida, according to the architectural firm.

The other is The Santa Monica on West 12^th Avenue, which has a façade that looks like a coat of arms.

“These sister buildings are wonderful examples that showcase the apartment typology in the early 20^th century in Vancouver,” the design rationale notes.

According to Kwan, these buildings speak that bygone era.

“It is an interesting kind of representation of those building types at that time,” Kwan said.

Members of the public have until June 17 to tell city hall what they think about the plan for The Florida.