Jenny Morgan, one of our North Shore Heritage bloggers, and myself share more than a name. We also love old buildings, photography, gardening and on June 21, 2022, we both independently “discovered” Spuraway Gardens at 235 Keith Road in West Vancouver. We missed each other by a few hours but were both super excited to have found this Heritage Gem! Spuraway Gardens is a townhouse development in West Vancouver that was part of the 1960’s “Garden Apartment” urban development trend. But when the developers bought the property, it came with an even older piece of history – Spuraway Lodge, a 1911 log cabin with an impressive list of famous owners/local socialites, who contributed to the development of the North Shore and the lodge itself. If only those walls could talk!
West Vancouver: Fodder for Len Norris
When you look at the house at 1220 Queens in West Vancouver, what do you see? A beautiful example of the West Coast Modern architectural style? Indeed, it is that. However, it also represents a piece of cultural heritage, as it was the home of long-time, Vancouver Sun editorial cartoonist, Len Norris, a master of political satire. And it was designed by Duncan McNab, who was a part of the West Coast Modern architectural movement that took hold of Vancouver in the 1950’s and 1960’s. So, this house is valuable not only for its architectural style but also for its affiliation to two individuals who were famous in their own right.
"The Cow is Always Right"
Francis Caulfeild's love of nature helped shape the unique coastal community, now known as Olde Caulfeild, in the early 1900s. Learn how he built a traditional English village in an untraditional way, modifying his ideas to fit the West Vancouver landscape by following the natural contours of the land, and discover why “the cow is always right”.
My Bob Lewis Odyssey
According to the West Vancouver Survey of Significant Architecture, Lewis Construction Company, headed by Bob Lewis, was the most successful design-build firm in the post war building boom that blanketed West Vancouver with hundreds of mostly post and beam structures. But who was Bob Lewis? A Google search of his name yields absolutely nothing. No Wikipedia entry. No biographical account. How could this be for a man of such fame and success? Well, I was bound and determined to find out more so I donned my gumshoes, charged up my electric car and embarked on what I now call My Bob Lewis Odyssey. Sit back and enjoy the ride!
Summer Fun at Dundarave Beach in 1921!
West Vancouver’s ‘Movable’ Heritage
Where do you find heritage? West Coast Modern movement
Where do you find heritage? Fish Weirs on Capilano River
Where do you find heritage? Old growth trees
Klee Wyck House facing demolition
In photos: 2367 Marine Drive leaves West Vancouver
2367 Marine Drive to be moved to Malcolm Island
The Case For Retention & Preservation of Navvy Jack House
Navvy Jack House - 147 years of community at risk
West Vancouver home available for relocation
A future for Navvy Jack House?
Restoration of Cianci House, West Vancouver
This video on the restoration of West Vancouver’s Cianci House, built in 1931, offers a glimpse into the story of the house and the neighbourhood once known as Dogwood Hill, and the process of renovation and restoration undertaken by John and Claudia Mawson.