VHF would like to thank this weeks’ guest writer, Karen Russell – Urban Planner.
Have you ever walked through a residential neighbourhood, admiring the homes and gardens as you passed, and wished you could have a peek inside? I admit to being one of those people. The homes that most capture my imagination are the ones found in old established neighbourhoods – where residents are living their lives and adding their own chapters to the stories of the generations of residents that came before. Sometimes, if you’re lucky, you may even score a quick glimpse of a vintage interior as you stroll by – especially at night. Some may think of this as being a bit voyeuristic. Instead, I prefer to think of myself as an urban explorer with a penchant for heritage homes.
If you admit to having a little bit of urban explorer in you, you won’t want to miss an upcoming tour opportunity. On Sunday, June 2nd, 2013, Vancouver Heritage Foundation is hosting its 11th annual Heritage House tour. This is your chance to visit the interiors of 12 fascinating heritage homes in neighbourhoods throughout Vancouver – ranging from elegant, grand dames, to charming vernacular cottages that served as worker housing in the early 20th century.
A special treat this year is the inclusion of a Single Room Accomodation (SRA) on Alexander Street. Located east of Gastown, it served as a Japanese tenement house in old Japantown prior to World War II and has been recently rehabilitated.
Another highlight are two heritage homes designed by renowned architect CBK Van Norman featuring exceptional gardens – one a spectacular classic landscaped garden (pictured right) – and the other a bountiful food garden harvested by the Vancouver Urban Farming Network. There’s even a chance to learn from experts at the tour houses as VanDusen master gardeners will be talking about landscaping, and Peter Ladner will be answering questions about Urban Farming. Peter will also be speaking at VHF’s pre-tour lecture tonight at the Unitarian Church on W 49th Street.
If you’re a fan of the Grandview Woodland area you will definitely want to take the tour, as half of the homes on the 2013 tour are in this interesting historic neighbourhood. The six Grandview homes offer everything from modern open concept main floors, such as the one pictured left, to careful interior restorations, including original pocket doors, hidden behind walls for years. They all offer a look back into Vancouver’s history when so many homes were rich in character and hand crafted details.
Whatever your taste in urban exploration, there is something you’ll love on the heritage 
house tour. And speaking of taste – a variety of food stops conveniently located along the way will appease the most discriminating foodie while bolstering your strength to navigate your way to all 12 marvelous homes on the tour. Be sure to stop by the Japanese Language School as they are offering up $10 bentos complete with udon, traditional Japanese side dishes and dessert. You can also take a tour of the school and learn about their recent renovation, which respected the building’s exceptional history and heritage design elements, while making it more energy efficient (completed day care renovation pictured above).
For tickets and more information, contact Vancouver Heritage Foundation at www.vancouverheritagefoundation.org. But hurry, the tickets may sell out fast and you don’t want to miss this chance to get inside these homes, instead of secretly pondering their interiors from the street.
Karen Russell is an urban planner with a background in heritage planning and is currently Manager, Development Services at UBC Campus and Community Planning. Karen is a long time heritage enthusiast and volunteer. She was recently appointed to the Board of the Vancouver Heritage Foundation and has previously served on the Boards of the Heritage Vancouver Society and Heritage BC. She lives in a designated 1909 Edwardian home in Grandview.
