HERITAGE RESTORATION

Breathing Life Into History

There's something pretty special about walking into a building that's stood for 80, 90, maybe 100+ years. The craftsmanship, the materials, the stories literally embedded in the walls... it's irreplaceable. We've spent years getting our hands dirty with Vancouver's heritage structures, and honestly? It never gets old. Each project teaches us something new about how they built things back then - and how we can preserve that magic for the folks who'll be here long after we're gone.

The Fairmont Residence

This 1912 Edwardian beauty in Kitsilano was in rough shape when the owners called us. Water damage, crumbling plaster, original windows that barely hung on... but underneath all that? Gorgeous fir flooring, intricate crown molding, and a staircase that made us catch our breath. Took us 14 months, but man, was it worth it.

Before

Severe water damage, failing plaster, compromised structural elements

After

Fully restored original features, modern systems seamlessly integrated

Recent Restorations

1898 VICTORIAN

The Granville Manor

Four stories of Victorian charm that'd been chopped up into apartments back in the 60s. The owners wanted to convert it back to a single-family home without losing the character. We uncovered original pocket doors, restored the bay windows (all 18 of 'em), and brought back the turret that someone had actually removed decades ago. Used historical photos from the city archives to get it right.

Timeline: 18 months

Status: Completed 2023

1925 CRAFTSMAN

Shaughnessy Bungalow

This one hit different. The family'd owned it since the 40s, and they had boxes of old photos showing what it looked like originally. Someone in the 70s had covered up all the wood trim with drywall - criminal, really. We spent weeks carefully removing layers to expose the original Douglas fir. The built-in buffet in the dining room? Still had the original hardware. Just needed some TLC and proper refinishing.

Timeline: 11 months

Status: Completed 2022

1902 COLONIAL REVIVAL

Point Grey Estate

Probably our most ambitious project yet. This place had been empty for almost a decade - roof leaking, foundation settling, you name it. But the bones were incredible. We stabilized the structure, replaced sections of the foundation using period-appropriate techniques, rebuilt the wraparound porch from scratch (matching the original balustrade design), and installed modern mechanicals without touching the original plaster ceilings. Took a village, but we got there.

Timeline: 22 months

Status: Completed 2024

Our Restoration Process

How we bring heritage buildings back to life without losing their soul

Historical Research & Documentation

First things first - we dig through city archives, old newspapers, whatever we can find. You'd be surprised what's out there. Original blueprints, construction photos, even old insurance records. This stuff guides everything we do later. We also document every inch of the existing structure before we touch anything.

WEEKS 1-3

Structural Assessment

Here's where we get real about what we're dealing with. Foundation issues? Rot? Settling? We bring in structural engineers who actually get heritage work - not everyone does. Sometimes you find surprises (usually not the good kind), but better to know now than halfway through demolition.

WEEKS 4-6

Heritage Approvals & Permits

Not gonna lie, this part can be a slog. But Vancouver's Heritage Commission folks are actually pretty reasonable if you show 'em you respect the building's history. We prep detailed proposals showing exactly what we'll preserve, restore, or (carefully) modify. Usually takes a few rounds of back-and-forth.

WEEKS 7-12

Selective Demolition & Salvage

This is where we carefully strip away the stuff that doesn't belong - cheap renovations, damaged materials, later additions. But we save everything original that's salvageable. Old hardware, light fixtures, trim pieces... it all gets catalogued and stored. You never know what you'll be able to reuse or what might inspire custom reproductions.

WEEKS 13-18

Restoration & Reconstruction

The meat of the project. We work with craftspeople who actually know old-school techniques - lime plaster, traditional joinery, that kind of thing. Modern materials where necessary (like updated plumbing, obviously), but done so you can't tell. It's slower than standard construction, but there's no rushing this stuff.

MONTHS 5-16

Finishing & Systems Integration

Final phase is all about the details. Period-appropriate paint colors (we use historical color analysis), refinishing original floors, installing reproduced fixtures where originals couldn't be saved. Plus getting all the modern systems - HVAC, electrical, security - working invisibly within the heritage fabric.

FINAL 3-4 MONTHS

Why Heritage Work Matters

Look, we could knock down these old buildings and put up something new in half the time. But you can't recreate that kind of craftsmanship - the old-growth timber, the hand-pressed brick, the attention to proportion and detail. Plus, there's the environmental angle nobody talks about enough. The embodied energy in an existing building is massive. Tearing it down and starting over? That's a huge carbon footprint.

Beyond that, these buildings tell Vancouver's story. Each one's a piece of the city's character, its identity. When we restore 'em, we're not just preserving bricks and mortar - we're keeping that connection to the past alive for future generations. That's the stuff that makes a city feel like home, you know?

Traditional Craftsmanship

We work with artisans who still know how to do things the old way - because sometimes that's the only way that works.

Sustainable Practice

Restoring existing buildings is one of the greenest things you can do. We maximize material reuse and minimize waste.

Historical Accuracy

Every decision's backed by research. We don't guess - we know what belongs and what doesn't.