1753 Grand Boulevard, North Vancouver

YOUNG-HENDERSON RESIDENCE

The Young-Henderson Residence, prominently located on the corner of East 18th and Grand Boulevard, is a legally protected Arts & Crafts heritage house built in 1927 by Benzie and Bow architects. The original owner, Ernest Vanderpoel Young, was one of North Vancouver’s more remarkable citizens.

He was a stage actor in London in 1906 but came to Canada to establish a career in business. When he commissioned this house from architect William Bow, he was working as an agent for the North Pacific Lumber Company. However, by the 1940’s, he was back in the entertainment industry working in radio.  Young later became one of the founders of the Vancouver Little Theatre and the Theatre Under the Stars.

The Young-Henderson Residence has always been immaculately maintained and is framed by two large mature copper beech trees. A letter from General Contractors Allan & Viner Construction Ltd to the second owner, Ross Henderson, gives a sense of the level of craftsmanship in the home and the high-quality materials used throughout.  The letter issued on May 25, 1927 states the full cost as $7480.14. Some of the trade costs included:

·        Darlington & Haskins Ceramic Tile $272.00

·        Dierson Floor Co. Wood Floors $359.00

·        D.A. Belyea Painting $493.00

·        J.A. Toms Electrical $175.00

·        Wm. Russell Plastering $271.00

·        Green and Gow Shingling Cont. $120.00

·        G. Halliday Chimney Labour $89.00

·        M. Stonehouse Excavation $90.00

An extra $55 was approved for additional leaded glass work for windows in the sunroom, all upper sashes of all double hung windows, kitchen widows, bath and closet windows on the upper floor and lavatory on the ground floor. The leaded glass windows are one of the most beautiful and defining features of this home and remain today.

Ross Henderson and his wife were the second owners of this iconic heritage home where they raised their 3 daughters. Mr. Henderson was an important member of the North Vancouver community as a long-time high school teacher at Sutherland Secondary who was very well liked and respected. When Mr. Henderson passed away in 2015, his daughters decided it was time to sell their beloved family home but wanted to ensure it was protected from being torn down. Since the house straddled two lots, it was at high risk of redevelopment. Even though the house was an A-listed heritage home on the CNV’s Heritage Register, the only way to assure its protection was to place a legal covenant on title. They were aware that legally protecting the house could negatively affect the value, but they were determined to do it anyways.

Their realtors advised them that when a homeowner legally protects their home, the municipality will often give a bonus on the property to allow for other development, so they began negotiations with the City. It was proposed that the lot line running east west through the house be changed to run north south. This would allow a buyer to subdivide the property and create a new lot behind the existing house fronting onto E 18th St. It was also suggested that the heritage protection bylaw include the protection of the Copper Beech trees and rock wall in front of the house as they are defining elements of the property.

The City of North Vancouver successfully worked with the daughters to develop a Heritage Protection Bylaw that legally protected the heritage house, copper beech trees and rock wall while also outlining future development options for the buyer. When the house was listed in the spring of 2015, two buyers competed to purchase the property with Derek Porter of a Carpenter & a Gentlemen being the successful buyer.

Over the next year, the heritage house was meticulously upgraded to appeal to modern day standards while also maintaining much of the original character and heritage features of the home. In 2016, the renovated heritage house was sold in competition yet again. A new house was constructed on the newly created lot fronting 18th Street that was sympathetic in design and layout to the Young-Henderson Residence, and was a welcome addition to the Grand Boulevard neighbourhood.

The legal protection, restoration and redevelopment of the Young-Henderson Residence property was a win-win for the Henderson daughters and the City of North Vancouver. Hopefully, this story will inspire other heritage homeowners to explore creative options to legally protect their home while also encouraging heritage sensitive development.