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When you think of historical buildings and architecture you may not necessarily think of Vancouver. Our beautiful city usually gets all its praise from the breathtaking views, beautiful seasons, and outdoor activities. However, what many aren’t aware of are the timeless historical buildings that are scattered throughout our wonderful city - both used for residental and commercial purposes.

Check out these gorgeous buildings and their historical stories. 

Aberdeen Block
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Photo Courtesy: Real Estate North Shore

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Photo Courtesy: Clive Steve Paul

The Aberdeen Block is a three-storey Edwardian era brick and sandstone building, located in the commercial district of Lower Lonsdale. The historic place is confined to the footprint of the building. As Canada's Historic Places explains, the heritage value of the Aberdeen Block is associated with its location in Lower Lonsdale, the commercial core of North Vancouver, and the earliest, most historic area of commercial buildings on the North Shore of Burrard Inlet. Lower Lonsdale grew explosively from the turn of the twentieth century until the general financial depression in 1913 halted the ambitious construction of the previous years. The streetcar, ferry to Vancouver and the Pacific Great Eastern railway converged at the south foot of Lonsdale Avenue, the major transportation hub on the North Shore. The area represents a formative period in B.C.'s economy, driven at the time by major industries including logging and shipbuilding.

The Orpheum theatre

Image courtesy of  Vancouver Is Awesome 

The Orpheum Theatre was built in 1927, and underwent a renovation in 1970 and was later recognized as a national historic site. The building as it stands today is home to the Vancouver Orchestra and is one of the most sought after venues for musicians, musicals, and theatrical events.  

Broch House

Image courtesy of Wedding Wire

Located on a stunning waterfront property, Brock House was built as a private residence in 1912. It was later sold to the Federal Government who used it as RCMP quarters. It is now home to a prestigious restaurant, which has become one of Vancouver’s most sought after wedding destinations, with its guests coming from around the globe. Information gathered from Brock House Restaurant

Christ Church Cathedral 

Image courtesy of earlymusic

Christ Church Cathedral is the oldest surviving building in Downtown Vancouver, with the building commencing in 1889. It is listed as a Class A heritage building in the city of Vancouver. Today the church is visited by both locals and tourists and is a place for all people to gather for sermons. Information gathered from the Cathedral.

Heritage Hall

Image courtesy of Heritage Hall

Although there are many theories as to what purpose Heritage Hall was build for, from city hall, to church, and even a castle, one thing is for sure - this ornate building is stunning. The structure was build in 1915 and was later used as a Postal office. It was deemed a heritage structure by the city of Vancouver in 1974 and has since been used as a venue for weddings, galas, and non-profit organization events. 

Information provided by Heritage Hall.

Take some time to stroll by the historical sites of our beautiful city this weekend!

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Are you looking for a way to keep active over the colder months?

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Hiking is a great way to keep active, safely socialize with friends, and explore some of the beautiful areas in which we live. If you’re interested in exploring some of the North Shore mountains, read below for my favourite hikes, tips, and equipment.

If you are looking for a hike that is dog friendly and ends with a breathtaking waterfall then I recommend checking out Norvan Falls. This hike is rated for intermediate hikers and has a rough duration of 5 hours there and back so be sure to pack lunch and lots of water! 

Dog Mountain is another great North Shore hike. During the colder months this snowy wonderland is filled with snowshoers, and people of all ages and hiking abilities. This easy hike can be done in two hours and offers some of the best views of the surrounding mountains, Howe sound and Vancouver City skyline. As the name suggests, this trail is a favourite for those wanting to give their furry friends an adventure.  

Cypress mountain is home to some of the most picturesque hiking in Vancouver, my favourite hike on Cypress is Bowen Lookout. I love this one because it can be done year-round, with the addition of some winter gear. It can also be completed in an hour and a half making it the perfect way to start your morning, or end your day. If you're interested in doing this hike through the Winter months, be sure to visit the Black Mountain Lodge on Cypress mountain to register your hike and receive a free BAC tag that is required to hike on cypress.

If you are looking for an easy stroll through a mostly built path, my suggestion is visiting Twin Falls in Lynn Canyon. This walk is great to decompress after a long day or to catch up with friends during relaxing stroll. Please be aware that the Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge is currently closed, however, that doesn’t mean you can’t still access this beautiful walk. You can access Twin Falls from a trailhead that is located just below the Ecological Centre. Check out the map on trails here

Hiking is a great way to get in touch with nature and relax, however it is extremely important to ensure that you have the proper equipment and information before taking off on your adventure. If you are hiking during colder months, always check to see what the conditions are in the area, including Avalanch conditions. This will also help you identify what type of equipment you will need on your hike.

Here are some things you should always carry on any Winter hike:

Ice cleats or spikes are a great investment if you plan on hiking during the icy weather, they pack small so they're a great idea to have in your backpack at all times. 

Snowshoes are necessary for most Winter hikes on the North Shore.  

A Headlamp is one of the most important things to pack on any hike, especially during the darker months where the sun goes down early. 

Trail Maps are a great backup if you happen to lose sight of the trail you are following. This North Shore Trail Map is great as it includes every hike and trail on the North Shore.  

Extra Layers are essential when hiking. The North Shore is notorious for the weather changing on a dime, so it's important to be prepared for all the elements! 

Water and food are a no-brainer but ensuring you pack enough is crucial in the case of an emergency. Pack foods such as granola bars, nuts, dried fruits, and canned tuna, especially on more challenging hikes. It’s also very important to ensure you have enough water to last if necessary.

Lastly, it is so important to tell friends or family members where you're planning on hiking to and what time they should expect you to be done or to hear from you. Always make sure someone is aware of your plans in the case of an emergency. I hope you enjoy the beautiful North Shore mountains as much as I do! 



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If you're thinking about renovating your kitchen, it's good to know what has been trending this past year, as well as what trends are to come in 2021.

As Homes & Gardens explains, this year we've seen a lot of strongly veined marble, the busier the better for unmissable luxury - a trend we have seen in many new builds across Vancouver. 

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Photo: Blakes London 


We've also seen a lot of changes in terms of cabinetary and accents. As Homes & Gardens further explains, there has been an increase in sales of glazed cupboards and open shelving, following a growing demand for kitchens designed to have a more ‘curated’ look.

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Photo: British Standard 


Another major kitchen trend we saw in 2020 was the resurrangance of wallpaper! 

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Photo: Annie Schlechter

If you’re thinking of adding wallpaper to your home but are scared about the permanency, try something a little less permenant! As Country Living explains, there are plenty of peel-and-stick papers in trendy designs that are incredibly easy to install and remove. They suggest opting for a graphic design that mimics the look of tile, a trend we're likely going to see even more of in 2021.

Now in terms of colouring, as you know the all white, clean kitchen has been in style for many years. In 2020 however we saw some changes by home owners dipping their toes in a bit of colour around the home and in the kitchen specifically to bring a little more life into the space. We think this trend will be sticking throughout 2021 as home owners transition to more time at home and therefore crave more cozy and inviting spaces.

Through this past year we also saw an incline when it came to technology in the kitchen. We are seeing more and more sophisticated appliances and think that as we enter 2021, there will be even more technology upgrades built into new kitchen spaces - from taps to refrigerators, lighitng, and so much more.

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Photo: In Decor Trends

As In Decor Trends explains, 'this transendence into smart kitchens is an evolutionary aspect of design. In fact, many kitchens today are intelligently built from scratch. For older kitchens, sensors, smart devices, and other devices can be added for the owner’s convenience." If you're thinking of adding upgrades to your kitchen, I'd defintely recommend looking more into smart kitchens and finding out how you can incorporate this innovative new design to your home in the upcoming year.

If you have any questions on how redesigning your kitchen will affect resale value in 2021, let's chat! Contact me at joe@joeampbell.ca



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This 12-year-young Craftsman style home features over 4400 sq. ft of luxurious living space. It’s one of the prettiest homes on the Boulevard w/ mature gardens, front porch veranda, south facing backyard w/ RV parking & garage. This 6-bed home features on the main floor 9’ ceilings, kitchen – pantry-wet bar & mud room, eating area, family room, dining room, living room & den or 7th bed w/ the added feature of a 3-pc bathroom. Below is a 2-bed Suite, two bathrooms & recreation room all w/ 9’ ceilings. Both kitchens feature maple & cheery cabinetry & granite counters. Your home is tastefully designed with loads of built in cabinetry & speakers, wainscotting, coffered ceilings, crown moulding & window seats. Above are 4 bed, laundry, two baths including steam shower. SUN 2-4 BY APPT ONLY

Check out all of the details of this House/Single Family for sale, 729 E 9TH STREET, Boulevard, North Vancouver, BC

 

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Come by for a visit on Oct 10th, 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM we will be hosting an Open House at 727 E 6TH STREET in the Queensbury neighborhood, North Vancouver. This is an opportunity to visit this excellent House/Single Family for sale in beautiful Queensbury.

Please come with any questions you may have. In the meantime you can take a virtual tour of this Queensbury House/Single Family for sale.

As always please do not hesitate to give me a call at 604.657.1480 if I can answer any questions before the open house, or if you would like to book a private showing.

Joe Campbell
RE/MAX Crest Realty

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Situated in revitalized Moodyville, this solid original owner home is in a convenient location walking distance to Lower Lonsdale with easy access to Downtown Vancouver.  The 50 x 120 lot allows for a development build of apprximately 7,500 square feet comprised of 4 stacked townhomes with roof top decks and city views! A great holding property with loads of potential.  Call now for all the details!

 


Check out all of the details of this House for sale, 628 East 1st Street, Lower Lonsdale, North Vancouver, BC

 

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Live in style in central lonsdale's newest infinity duplex home and enjoy a life of convenience and comfort! Offering three bedrooms, 3 bathrooms on approximately 1,500 sq.ft on 3 levels of luxury living built with green materials with hardwood flooring, radiant heating, comfort of a sprinkler system, basement with 1 bedroom, full bathroom, bar and media area, seperate laundry and its own outside access. Bonus is roof top deck, front patio area, balconies, and rear yard with parking. No restrictions, bylaws, or maintenance fees. Completion is slated for early 2021 - only 1 available so call now for your chance to do some customization. 2,5,10 year home warranty.

Check out all of the details of this 1/2 Duplex for sale, 755 RIDGEWAY AVENUE, Central Lonsdale, North Vancouver, BC

 

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