This modern kitchen, part of a Heritage Rebuild, features stainless steel appliances like a refrigerator and stove. Gray cabinets and a tiled backsplash complement the island with barstools. Pendant lights illuminate the space, and a glass-panel door opens to the outdoors. The wooden floor adds warmth.

Strathcona Heritage Rebuild Nears Completion

ByKerr Design Build

Kerr Design Build is transforming a heritage property in Vancouver’s historic Strathcona neighborhood. After a devastating fire destroyed the original early-1900s building, the property owner collaborated with Kerr Design Build to reconstruct a modern and efficient residence, honoring its heritage roots while significantly improving its livability and functionality.

Rental property from early 1900s

Originally built in 1910, the house previously contained three separate rental units which even before the fire had become impractical due to its outdated layouts and cramped interiors. The rebuild provided an opportunity to redesign the space with modern living standards in mind, creating a more comfortable and practical rental property.

Unique reconstruction

The reconstruction process involved navigating complex city regulations, particularly zoning bylaws specific to the RT-3 district and Strathcona design guidelines.

Exterior Renders
A 3D rendering of a two-story red house with black trim in Strathcona nears completion. It features a front porch, stairs, and a gated white picket fence. In the yard, theres a circular table with chairs on a small patio area.
Front
This 3D rendering showcases a modern two-story red house with black railings and an exterior staircase, seamlessly blending Strathcona Heritage charm. A round table and chairs adorn the patio, while a wooden fence elegantly encloses the property.
Rear
Cross-sectional view of a modern two-story house, inspired by Strathcona heritage, showing interior layout. The first floor includes a kitchen, dining, and living area. Upstairs features two bedrooms. A staircase and outdoor spaces are visible beneath a cloudy sky backdrop.
Cut Away

The narrow lot—just 25 feet wide—posed significant design challenges. Standard setbacks would have limited the house to only 19 feet wide.

However, Kerr Design Build expertly leveraged zoning relaxations to reconstruct the building within the original footprint, extending slightly towards the rear to optimize space. This strategy allowed them to preserve the historical position and proportions while enhancing the building’s functionality.

The new structure consists of three rental units: a three-bedroom, two-bathroom unit on the ground floor, a two-bedroom unit with two bathrooms on the second floor, and another two-bedroom unit with one bathroom on the top floor. Each unit is thoughtfully designed to maximize living space despite the lot’s constraints.

A standout feature is the top-floor unit, designed with a vaulted ceiling and strategically placed skylights, providing a sense of spaciousness and openness. A generous rooftop deck offers residents stunning mountain views, making the compact unit feel luxurious and inviting.

Challenges to the restoration

Steven Butler of Kerr Design Build faced unique challenges in designing this project, especially given modern building code and zoning complexities. Due to the closeness of the houses on both sides of the build, wood framing was not permissible, prompting the use of non-combustible wall assemblies. These assemblies employed steel stud wall framing paired with exterior non-combustible insulation, effectively preventing fire spread between neighbouring properties.

To maintain safety standards and comply with contemporary building codes, the project required additional comprehensive upgrades, such as installing exterior fire shutters on windows, internal fire separation and a sprinkler system. Furthermore, significant infrastructure enhancements, including upgraded sewer, storm, and water lines, were undertaken to meet current city standards and ensure long-term reliability.

Interior Renders
Modern living room with wooden flooring, white walls, and recessed lighting. Part of the Strathcona Heritage Rebuild, it features a white sofa, navy armchair, coffee table, TV, and a dining area with a round table and chairs beside a small kitchen.
This modern kitchen, part of a Heritage Rebuild, features stainless steel appliances like a refrigerator and stove. Gray cabinets and a tiled backsplash complement the island with barstools. Pendant lights illuminate the space, and a glass-panel door opens to the outdoors. The wooden floor adds warmth.
Modern kitchen interior in Strathcona with white cabinets, gold handles, and a white subway tile backsplash. Features a marble countertop extending into a bar area with two bar stools, wood flooring, and recessed lighting—a nod to the neighborhoods blend of heritage charm and contemporary design.
This modern bathroom in the Strathcona Heritage Rebuild features a wooden vanity, large mirror, and black fixtures. A glass door leads to the shower with white subway tiles. Recessed lighting and a wall lamp illuminate the space, while neutral tones ensure a clean and minimalist look.
A modern bathroom in a Strathcona Heritage style features a black-framed glass shower enclosure in the corner. A white sink with a wooden cabinet is mounted on the wall, complementing the minimalistic design elements with neutral colors and black accents.

Another unique aspect involved the use of cutting-edge technology. Kerr Design Build employed advanced rendering software to produce interactive, panoramic 3D models. These were integrated into architectural plans via QR codes, allowing construction teams and subcontractors to visualize the project in real-time using their smartphones, enhancing precision and clarity during construction.

Soon to be completed

Kerr Design Build is now nearing completion of the project, which is anticipated in the next few months.

Notable progress has been made in recent weeks. The team has completed interior painting, installation of plumbing fixtures, countertops, kitchen backsplashes, interior painting, and appliance delivery. Current tasks include the final rough grading of the yard, fencing and sidewalk form installation, mechanical unit installation, electrical fixture installation, appliance installation, garage door installation, bathroom glass installation, and cabinet completion (door fronts and drawers).

Current Progress
A three-story house under construction, featuring tan siding and multiple windows, nears completion. Wooden scaffolding and stairs grace the front. A clear blue sky with scattered clouds frames this Strathcona Heritage project, flanked by neighboring homes on each side.
A nearly completed two-story beige house in Strathcona features a wooden staircase leading to the front door. Large upper-level windows reflect the sunny scene, with neighboring houses on both sides, embodying the charm of a heritage rebuild.
A modern kitchen under construction in the heart of Strathcona, featuring open shelving and subway tile backsplash. Boxes and tools are on the countertops and floor. A stainless steel stove and dishwasher are installed. The room is bright, with natural light from a window.
A mostly white hallway with high ceilings and two white doors, set within the Strathcona Heritage style. One door is on the left wall, and the other is at the end of the hallway. A skylight bathes the space in light, while construction materials hint at an imminent rebuild completion.
The white stairway, reminiscent of Strathconas charm, features ten carefully protected steps during this heritage rebuild. The plain walls subtly guide the way to a sunlit completion area at the top.

This ambitious project will revive a cherished part of Vancouver’s architectural heritage and showcase innovative design and construction practices.

Kerr Design Build will continue its legacy of transforming complex challenges into elegant, practical solutions, reaffirming its commitment to quality and thoughtful design.

If updating your character home is your dream, call us at 604-263-0343 or use our online form.