Clip from CBC Vancouver News at 6pm, March 29, 2016; Host Andrew Chang
“The Electric House”. A gorgeous Townley & Matheson designed 1922 house at 1550 West 29th Avenue, has an application with the City of Vancouver for demolition (as of March 31, 2016).
Built as an “electric show house” for the public in 1922, demonstrating how a fully electric home of the future could operate.
In a city where lot-value trumps anything sitting on it, our architecture history is being wiped clean.
Development and demo permit applied for, orange-fencing-of-death just went up, but still up for sale at $7.4 million.
It’s not listed on the heritage register, but even then in this climate, it might have only been reviewed. There simply aren’t enough financial heritage incentives to offset the high property values, when lots are viewed solely as value.
About the only way to protect certain sites would be through Heritage Designation (legally protected), which the City has the power to apply – then must compensate the owner for any loss in value; a sensitive buyer; or move it (problematic depending on the receiving location).
Local moving within the neighbourhood is less problematic, and a purchaser may be able to negotiate with the owner for removal. Infill into First Shaughnessy?
