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Vancouver's historic homes are a testament to the city's rich architectural heritage. As the demand for housing increases throughout the city, developers like Jerry Rakhra of Vandwell Developments have found innovative ways to preserve these historic structures while upgrading them to modern living standards.
We recently spoke with Jerry to find out how appliance selection factors into the process of maintaining the heritage look while providing modern comforts.
Vandwell: Boutique Heritage Restorations
"I started working with the city back in 2012, focusing on increasing density by upgrading heritage homes in Vancouver," said Jerry. “Since then, we have completed multiple heritage restoration projects throughout the city, including a project on Comox Street that won a BC Heritage award by transforming a 2,100-square-foot house into a 7,000-square-foot, six-unit multifamily development.”
Vandwell focuses on multifamily restorations, turning spaces that initially held a single-family home into a beautiful residence that allows multiple families to become homeowners in a notoriously challenging real estate market.
Modernizing a Heritage Home
The homes of yesteryear have an inherent beauty, but since they were built at a time when uniform building codes had yet to be established, each home might have been built to a different standard.
To conform to modern requirements and expectations, the Vandwell team has become well-versed in finding creative solutions to maintain the character while creating a safe and efficient space.
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“We’re typically working with a small footprint,” explained Jerry. “Each residence is usually around 1,700 square feet – sometimes as low as 1,400. They're tight, so we have to be creative to get what people want in their kitchens, but we've always figured it out. Working with professionals like Trail Appliances has helped us find smart solutions from various manufacturers to accommodate these spaces.”
In addition to creative solutions in the kitchen, Vandwell implements smart home features into their designs. “We incorporate automation into our projects, like automatic lighting, heating and cooling systems, smart thermostats, and blinds, when it makes sense for the home.”
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Choosing Appliances for Unique Spaces
Gurprit Nahal, an Account Manager here at Trail Appliances' Builder Division, explained how we help developers choose appliances to match the design of the homes they’re building.
“For a heritage-style home, we’ll start with the floor plans and renderings," said Gurprit. "In the current appliance market, only a few brands carry more of that vintage, classic look. Bertazzoni, Fisher & Paykel, and La Cornue have appliances with a more traditional aesthetic.
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One of the ways these brands preserve that look is by eliminating digital clocks and mounting the analog temperature gauge on the outside of the oven. We’ll often suggest a rustic style with a bit of modern flair, like gold or brass accents. We try to avoid stainless steel and recommend incorporating something more classic, like copper, to create the right fit for Jerry’s homes.”
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Personalized Service
When it comes to selecting appliances for your home, it’s essential to choose the items that match how you’ll use them.
“I like to challenge my customers,” said Gurprit. “When you research a brand online, it might seem perfect for you, but your lifestyle or family needs might not match what that brand offers. I like to make it more personalized and find out how you like to cook, how many people you cook for, and how often. It’s not a sales pitch — it’s something that lets me understand your needs so I can go through my library of brands and find the one that best suits you.”
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Building Better Futures in Vancouver
As Vancouver continues to grow and evolve, preserving and adapting heritage homes must be a critical consideration in the city's development. By carefully selecting appliances that bridge the gap between historic charm and modern convenience, developers and homeowners can ensure that these treasured buildings continue to be functional, desirable homes for generations to come — updated for the modern era while maintaining the classic beauty.
“My company is passionate about creating new homes for people: striking a balance between meeting the demands of housing, supporting a green initiative, and preserving the design and character of our heritage homes,” said Jerry. “Right now, where we are as a city — and as a province — we must get houses built quickly and get people housed. We want to create new life and opportunities in these homes that are rich with character, heritage, and history.”
The art of choosing appliances for renovated heritage homes in Vancouver is a delicate balance of respecting history, embracing modernity, and catering to individual needs. With the right approach and expertise, it's possible to create spaces that honour the past while fully embracing the comforts of the present.
