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The Vancouver Special House Tour (and beyond)

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.
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The Vancouver Special house style is one of several familiar housing styles popular in the 1960s-1980s. Such mid-century homes are part of Vancouver’s architectural heritage and their retention contributes to the character of our neighbourhoods. Like the Vancouver Special, which has seen popularity for modernization, other styles can make wonderful homes fit for today's lifestyles. The post-war bungalow, the split-level and the Vancouver Special are indicative of an era from the 1950s when the family home reigned. Built to house varying family dynamics, these homes are now often overlooked by new buyers for their age. However, their simple floorplans and basic construction makes them all adaptable, offering a sustainable alternative to demolition and building new.

Building on the theme of adapting older housing styles, VHF once again presents the Vancouver Special House Tour on Saturday April 16th from 1pm-5pm. Now in its 8th year, the tour offers a chance for you to explore Vancouver Specials and other housing styles popular around Vancouver from the 1950s on, in a self-guided tour. This tour of five houses shows how these older homes can be updated for modern living. We will look at three variations of traditional Vancouver Specials that have been beautifully modernized including an early Special with several design nods to the Mid-Century Modern movement. We will also open a 1953 bungalow and a 1958 split-level home, both renovated to fit modern lifestyles. As an added bonus for tour goers, tour partner the Vancouver Special store is offering ticket holders 15% off purchases made on the tour day only, along with complimentary coffee and water.

Explore Vancouver's familiar housing styles from the 1950s on...

SATURDAY APRIL 16, 2016 1PM – 5PM

Purchase tickets here. $30/$23 WITH VALID STUDENT I.D.

Tickets are also available at Vancouver Special, 3612 Main St.

Day of sales details will be posted on social media and the VHF Vancouver Special House Tour page

Love Van Specials? As a uniquely Vancouver architectural style, VHF includes it in our Vancouver House Styles guide. Or see all 1241 photos by Keith Higgins, of Vancouver Specials around the city. VHF created a short documentary, Restoring Community, that featured the Van Special and its special place in Vancouver's cultural memory. And, as an added bonus if you buy a ticket to the tour, the Vancouver Special store is offering ticket holders 15% off purchases made on the tour day only. And, as has been suggested by some fans, will a Vancouver Special will be added to the Vancouver Heritage Register? We can only hope.