Looks like more Vancouver Specials are coming down
It's beautiful out here. Complicated in here. That's the coast.
You know, the rain has been letting up a bit, giving us some of those clear days where the North Shore mountains just pop against the sky. Perfect weather for a seawall stroll. But down at City Hall, the gears keep turning, and some familiar patterns are emerging from the data.
### The Disappearing Houses
We're seeing a fresh batch of demolition permits issued just this week. On June 3rd, five permits for demolition or deconstruction were issued across Vancouver. Three of these, for 196 E 35th Avenue, 5119 Main Street, and 6526 Lime Street, are specifically for existing one-family dwellings. These permits, each valued at $40,000 for the demolition itself, signal the continued removal of older, often more affordable housing stock.
* **5170 Nanaimo Street:** Demolition of an existing one-family dwelling. * **196 E 35th Avenue:** Demolition of an existing one-family dwelling. * **5119 Main Street:** Demolition of an existing one-family dwelling. * **6526 Lime Street:** Demolition of an existing Single Detached House (built in 1927).
It's a familiar sight, isn't it? These are often the Vancouver Specials, or homes of a similar vintage, that once dotted our neighbourhoods. When you see new construction rise on these lots, it’s usually something far out of reach for most residents. This trend just keeps pushing that middle ground further away.
We also saw a significant permit for "Addition / Alteration" at 1111 W Hastings Street for $450,000, which involves exterior and interior alterations and a change of use from office. It’s a good reminder that development isn’t just about new buildings, but about how existing spaces are repurposed, too. What that means for downtown office space, given the shifts in how we work, is something worth keeping an eye on.
Kenji Nakashima, MiTL Sports Desk, Vancouver.
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