The Point Grey Road Home
Class C Heritage Home · Three-Unit Multiple Conversion Dwelling
Just steps from the Vancouver Yacht Club, a Class C heritage home on Point Grey Road sat at a crossroads. The owners had a clear vision — restore the property’s heritage character, modernize every system and finish, and create three distinct living units where an ageing duplex once stood. The result is one of the most complex and rewarding projects Kerr Design Build has delivered: a full Multiple Conversion Dwelling (MCD) that honours the past and works hard for the future.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
One Heritage Home. Three Modern Living Units.
The property on Point Grey Road presented a rare opportunity and a genuine challenge. As a Class C heritage home, it carried architectural history worth preserving. As an underperforming duplex, it needed to work harder for its owners. The solution was a Multiple Conversion Dwelling (MCD) — a full renovation that converted the existing structure into three separate, self-contained living units while restoring its heritage exterior and original character details.
Every unit was designed with the same level of care: custom kitchens, quality finishes, thoughtful layouts, and craftsmanship that makes each space feel considered rather than converted. Adding a rentable basement unit gave the owners a practical way to offset renovation costs — a goal that shaped the project from the very beginning.
TYPE OF PROJECT: Heritage Home Multi-Unit Conversion (MCD)
LOCATION: Point Grey Road, Kitsilano, Vancouver, BC
DESIGNER: Steven Butler, Design Director — Kerr Design Build
STATUS: Completed
SCOPE: Heritage Restoration · Three-Unit Conversion · Residential Elevator · Off-Street Parking · Full City Permitting
Heritage Regulations. Zoning Negotiations. Years of Design.
Converting a heritage home into a multi-unit dwelling in Vancouver is not a straightforward process. Senior designer Steven Butler led the design phase — navigating the intersection of heritage regulations, zoning requirements, and the owners’ vision for three distinct, livable spaces.
The process required ongoing engagement with the City of Vancouver’s planning and heritage departments. Securing approval for the third unit demanded a strategic approach: the restoration of significant heritage elements was offered in exchange for the zoning relaxation needed to add the additional unit. It was a negotiation that required creativity, patience, and deep knowledge of Vancouver’s heritage approval process — and one that defined the entire direction of the project.
The result was a design that satisfied the city, honoured the building’s history, and delivered exactly what the owners envisioned.
Restoring What Made It Worth Saving
The exterior of the Point Grey Road home tells its own story. Original Craftsman detailing, heritage rooflines, and the front porch character — all carefully restored as part of the conversion. This wasn’t cosmetic. The restoration of heritage elements was central to the city approvals that made the three-unit conversion possible.
Inside, the approach shifted entirely. Each unit was built to a fully modern standard — open-concept layouts, herringbone hardwood floors, custom cabinetry, marble and tile finishes, and bathrooms designed with the same attention you’d expect in a luxury custom home. The contrast between a preserved exterior and a thoroughly modern interior is precisely what makes this project work.
Restoring What Made It Worth Saving
The exterior of the Point Grey Road home tells its own story. Original Craftsman detailing, heritage rooflines, and the front porch character — all carefully restored as part of the conversion. This wasn’t cosmetic. The restoration of heritage elements was central to the city approvals that made the three-unit conversion possible.
Inside, the approach shifted entirely. Each unit was built to a fully modern standard — open-concept layouts, herringbone hardwood floors, custom cabinetry, marble and tile finishes, and bathrooms designed with the same attention you’d expect in a luxury custom home. The contrast between a preserved exterior and a thoroughly modern interior is precisely what makes this project work.
Construction Inside a Heritage Property — No Shortcuts
Building inside and around a heritage structure requires a level of care that standard construction simply doesn’t demand. Kerr Design Build’s team managed every layer of complexity — structural work that couldn’t compromise the heritage envelope, unforeseen conditions that required permit amendments, and the precision needed to complete three full residential units to the same quality standard.
An elevator was integrated into the building — a feature that required careful structural planning and city approval, and one that significantly enhances accessibility and long-term property value. Off-street parking was also incorporated, addressing one of the most practical challenges of urban multi-unit living in Kitsilano.
The result was a design that satisfied the city, honoured the building’s history, and delivered exactly what the owners envisioned.
Three Homes. One Heritage Address.
From the street, the Point Grey Road home looks exactly as it should — a carefully preserved piece of Kitsilano’s architectural history. Inside, three fully independent living spaces offer modern comfort, quality finishes, and the kind of design that only comes from a team that designs and builds under one roof.
The basement unit provides reliable rental income. The upper units are private, well-appointed residences. And the building as a whole demonstrates what’s possible when a Multiple Conversion Dwelling (MCD) is approached with the patience, expertise, and design commitment it requires.
For over 35 years, Kerr Design Build has delivered projects like this — complex, regulated, and detail-intensive — with the care and precision they demand.
DESIGNER
Steven Butler, Design Director
Steven leads the design side of Kerr’s most complex projects — multiple conversion dwellings, heritage home renovations, and custom builds that require deep knowledge of Vancouver’s zoning and permitting landscape. His ability to navigate city heritage departments while delivering spaces that feel considered and livable is what makes projects like this one possible.
Everything You Want to Know About Heritage Multi-Unit Conversions
Schedule a Consultation
VANCOUVER PERMITS & APPROVALS — DESIGN-BUILD SERVICES
Complete the form below and tell us about your project. Whether you’re planning a renovation, addition, new build, or laneway home — Kerr Design Build manages the full permit process in-house, so nothing falls through the cracks.
For over 35 years, we’ve been guiding Vancouver homeowners through every stage of the construction process. A member of our team will be in touch shortly.
Or call us at 604-263-0343
Schedule a Consultation
VANCOUVER PERMITS & APPROVALS — DESIGN-BUILD SERVICES
Complete the form below and tell us about your project. Whether you’re planning a renovation, addition, new build, or laneway home — Kerr Design Build manages the full permit process in-house, so nothing falls through the cracks.
For over 35 years, we’ve been guiding Vancouver homeowners through every stage of the construction process. A member of our team will be in touch shortly.
Or call us at 604-263-0343