Instead, as I expectantly happened to pass the Hobbit House on West 33rd near Cambie this afternoon, and the skies also expectantly simultaneously cleared, the ongoing transformation of this Vancouver icon became an obvious photo op. As was duly noted in the press when this house hit the market for $2.68 million a couple of years ago, this Vancouver architectural gem escaped the wrecking ball after a public outcry ensued to shield it from potential demolition by the developer that bought it.
Ever since the 2010 Olympics ended the Cambie corridor has been designated a high density corridor as it sits adjacent to the new Canada Line subway linking the airport with the downtown core. Subsequently large swaths of single family residential units have been sold as blocks to developers to take advantage of the increased density rating. Block by block on either side of Cambie have lately featured boarded up houses, shortly followed by demolition. There have been few exceptions.
Only three of these houses were built back in the 1940s (I'm almost positive it was the 40s). This one's siblings include one in North Vancouver (which I think is no longer standing) plus one more on West 4th, west of Alma Street.
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| An artist's rendering of the finished development. |
When we used to live near South Granville I saw a couple of similar developments take shape. First the subject building to be preserved is lifted from its foundation before the soil around it is excavated for the future construction of a below-grade parking garage. Once the surface concrete suspended slab has been installed the house is lowered into it's final resting place and construction of the balance of the development proceeds around it.
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| The house slowly gains in height. |
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| The rear elevation prior to lifting. |
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| Some of the structure in the rear has been removed. I wonder if the viewing tower will be replaced. |
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