West Van seeks temporary protection for heritage building on Southborough Drive

District of West Vancouver staff is recommending Council order temporary protection for the “Hall Residence” at 458 Southborough Drive, a heritage property.

The District has received application for a demolition permit to demolish the existing building. The District staff has contacted the property owner to provide information about the Hall Residence and to inform them regarding potential development incentives available in exchange for legal protection of the existing house.

The staff wishes to delay issuance of the demolition permit in order to allow more time to discuss retention options with the owner. This requires an order from the Council and allows the District to withhold issuance of a demolition permit or a building permit that would significantly alter the house, for up to 60 days from the date of the resolution.

The “Hall Residence” was constructed in 1955 and is identified as a Support Building in The West Vancouver Survey of Significant Architecture 1945-1975. The home was designed by R.J. Thom, a well-known Canadian architect who designed several West Coast Modern style homes which are listed on the District’s Community Heritage Register including the recently municipally designated Boyd House at 985 Duchess Avenue.

The house was purchased by the current owner in 2012.

According to the staff report, an Environmental Development Permit (EDP) for a new dwelling was approved for the site on July 22, 2020 and then an amendment for a change in building footprint was approved September 23, 2021. A demolition permit and a building permit application for a new dwelling was then submitted on October 18, 2021.

Upon a referral from Permits staff to Planning staff and review of the historical records it was confirmed that the dwelling is identified as a heritage Support Building. The District’s records and Westmap have been updated accordingly.