Cosmopolitan Renovation Elements Honour Heritage

Cosmopolitan Renovation Elements Honour Heritage

Immaculately restored, this heritage home in Shaughnessy was a Georgie and Ovation Award Finalist.

This was a substantial custom renovation with the finest quality of finish, materials and design. This 1920s restored Georgian character home on Angus Drive offers 4,683 sf of character throughout a bright, open living space that offers plenty of natural light. By request, the attic addition was transformed into a room to honour the clients’ life philosophy.

The homeowners had to decide between the renovation of 2 homes. Their desire was to create a sophisticated cosmopolitan inspired interior that honoured the historic elements of their Shaughnessy home. This heritage home renovation is a gem not to be missed. Careful craftsmanship and attention to detail ensures the quality, innovation and uniqueness of this interwar revival. The unique character and timeless elegance of this home is not only retained but also showcased in its best light.

Location
South Granville, Vancouver

SCOPE
Whole House Heritage Renovation with Attic Addition and Exterior Facelift

SQFT
4,683

DESIGN STYLES
Neoclassical, Colonial, Commonwealth, Transitional, Georgian

THE OBJECTIVE

To restore the home’s heritage character while honouring the client’s desire for a modern, spiritually inspired tranquil ambiance. In the case of this extensive home renovation, the process involved development methodology to improve the structural integrity of the Georgian-style building without affecting the existing structure.

HOW IT WAS ACHIEVED

The attic was altered to make the space livable and bring the home up to current building code standards. The new roof support device had to be designed to be capable of holding typical roof load weight without using vertical beams. The renovation and preservation of the home would not have been possible without these steps. Heritage styling including traditional curved ceiling corners and high-relief crown moulding (lost during a previous renovation) were restored throughout the main floor. The gourmet kitchen on the main level showcases maple stained custom cabinets and silestone granite counters. A juliette balcony overlooks a large, meticulously landscaped backyard and garden. Complete rejuvenation brought the traditional home up to date.  A sophisticated master suite was created for adult retreat, luxurious dressing room created with space claimed from adjacent office, the remainder of which was utilized to allow for a proper staircase, replacing folding ladder style hatch access, to an attic space increased to create a tranquil meditation/music room.

KEY FEATURES

Many features of the home’s heritage detailing were lost during a previous renovation, the restoration of original high-relief plaster details, mouldings and curved ceilings required patient attention to detail. The home has a sophisticated Manhattan inspired aesthetic that although heritage in flavour utilized bold punches of colour and timeless classic furnishings to bring the home completely up to date.

The kitchen had a small segregated mud-room that has been combined into the open concept culinary hub with an extension of the custom cabinetry that now serves the purpose of ‘drop-zone’ without having the entry closed off and impeding the space. Non-structural refinishing transformed main floor den into a dramatic masculine retreat. Second floor ensuite and office were reconfigured into an adult oriented master-suite that includes walk-in closet and dressing room with on-demand hot water for morning coffee/tea. The ensuite features a frameless glass shower and dual sink vanities; the freestanding soaker tub (relocated to exterior wall) is framed by a stone bench that extends through the shower.

The expansion of the home’s attic, and improved curb-appeal addition of 3 dormer windows, meant an invasive roof removal performed during winter requiring the entire building to be enclosed with scaffolding and semi-permanent wrap.

Project Recognition

2016 FINALIST CHBA-BC Provincial Georgie Award
Best Residential Renovation over $800,000
2016 FINALIST GVHBA Ovation Award
Best Any Room Renovation / Attic Sanctuary
Media Release – Burnaby Board of Trade

  • New dormer windows enhance curb-appeal
  • Modern yet timeless Manhattan aesthetic
  • Innovative steel cranked box-beam
  • 3 new or updated fireplaces
  • Four-foot globe chandelier
  • Swarovski crystal railings
  • Marble slab island
  • Induction cooktop
  • Retractable down-fan
  • Masculine main floor den retreat
  • Dressing froom with hot water on demand
  • Electric car charging unit in garage

They were very helpful through the whole project, through the design phase they led us through step by step, helped me to carry out the vision that I wanted for this house. When the home was first finished and I walked into the house, I was very very pleased and couldn’t believe that everything that I had wanted and dreamt for it was happening – it took place.

- Grace, Vancouver Homeowner