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Vancouver Heritage Foundation Weekly: Vancouver's own Vancouver Special

Vancouver Heritage Foundation is a registered charity supporting the conservation of heritage buildings and structures in recognition of their contribution to the city’s economy, sustainability and culture.

Vancouver Heritage Foundation is a registered charity supporting the conservation of heritage buildings and structures in recognition of their contribution to the city’s economy, sustainability and culture.

Looking for something fun to do this weekend? Hop in your car,  grab your bike, or hitch onto public transit and check out one of Vancouver's most iconic, and hotly debated, architectural styles. The ubiquitous Vancouver Special is on display with VHF's annual Vancouver Special House Tour. Get inside 5 Specials that have been completely renovated to showcase that Yes! They do have potential!

Seen by some as a blight on the Vancouver architectural landscape, the Special is uniquely Vancouver, and is actually representative of an important part of Vancouver's history. Around 10,000 of these homes sprung up between 1965 and 1985 filling in neighbourhoods and spreading all across South and East Vancouver. Going up in a matter of weeks, families could go from empty lot to family home in as little as three weeks. A sure sign of the major population and building growth of mid-century Vancouver.

Recently the Van Special has been re surging in popularity, as their large square footage, simple floor plan and basic construction lend themselves well to modernization. We'd like to invite you to decide for yourself! Take in the tour this Saturday and see five very different Specials, each renovated to fit the needs of a unique family. Once you see what's possible, you might just find your opinion changes.

Vancouver Special House Tour

Saturday, September 21st

1pm - 5pm

$30

Tickets will be available for purchase at the VHF info booth which will be located at Ross St and 45th Ave, near Fraser and 45th. We'll be there from 12pm until 3:30pm, hope to see you there!