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Vancouver Heritage Foundation Weekly: Why First Shaughnessy?

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.

If you've never wandered the quiet and expansive streets of Shaughnessy (or gotten lost in its roundabout roads), you may wonder why "First Shaughnessy" is named specifically in the City of Vancouver's Heritage Action Plan. Judging by three sold out VHF walking tours on the topic, "Shaughnessy Heights: the Swellest and Most Beautiful Neighbourhood", with a waitlist for a potential fourth, there is definitely interest and curiosity in the future of this historic neighbourhood.

First Shaughnessy was identified in Heritage Vancouver Society's 2014 Top 10 Endangered Sites:

"First Shaughnessy, the grandest subdivision in the city, is known for its ‘estate-like quality’ and its leafy ambience. The original building envelopes generally had a smaller footprint, usually about 2,000 square feet per floor, and a taller height – averaging about 42 feet. This allowed more site area for landscaping to frame the heritage ‘English Picturesque Aesthetic,’ the estate-like quality that Vancouver residents treasure."

Shaughnessy consists of three subdivisions – First, Second and Third Shaughnessy. First Shaughnessy was developed in 1907 by the Canadian Pacific Railway Company to entice the city’s elite to move from the West End to the newly-cleared area on the hill above 16th Avenue up to King Edward Avenue, with lots a minimum of 10,000 square feet. Curving streets were laid out on topographical lines, rather than the grid system common in most of Vancouver. Second Shaughnessy was created with smaller lots between King Edward and 37th Avenues. Third Shaughnessy followed in the late 1920s."

There's plenty of opportunity to join Heritage Action Plan (HAP) discussions and we encourage you to do so. Public consultation is a hugely beneficial part of the process and a great time to share your opinions and thoughts about the future of Vancouver's heritage. VHF has created a page to help you understand the HAP as it progresses, as well as list relevant events. Check it out here.

Key events this week!

Heritage Vancouver Society: Conversations at SFU Woodwards World Art Centre

February 27, 7pm-9pm “Are Heritage Conservation Areas Right for Vancouver?” (The first in a series of panel discussions on HAP topics.)

City of Vancouver: Heritage Action Plan Open Houses 

Saturday, February 28, 11am – 3 pm  Vancouver City Hall, 453 West 12th Avenue. Ground Floor, Town Hall Meeting Room                                                      

Wednesday, March 4,  4pm-8 pm  Hellenic Community Centre, 4500 Arbutus Street