Project at a Glance

Building Name Gow Block

Location 3589 Commercial Street

Original Build 1910 - 1911

Program Commercial/Residential

Site Gow Block Cedar Cottage Townhomes 8,061 sq. ft

F.S.R. “If we didn’t buy it, frame Edwardian structure 2.5 it would have been built in 1910 that sits on Citations demolished” - Norah 3589 Commercial Street (the Northwestern corner Illustration: Johnson of Commercial Street and 20th) that has seen its history Bob Worden. of renovations. After a Illustration For Gow espite the accidental significant renovation process, Block. 2009. Ramsay Worden Architects. discovery of the Norah and Jerry not only building, the Jerry Prussin Blog. had a beautifully restored Web. Fri. May 24th potential disrepair D Heritage Registered Building 2013. of the structure and the that speaks to both the daunting task of restoring history of the building and a project of this scale, Jerry neighbourhood, but a new Prussin and Norah Johnson townhome building behind as fell in love with the Gow well! Block immediately. The Gow block is a mixed use wood Summer 2013 I McFaul I Page 5 Further Gow Block History Reading

The Gow Block got its name from the original owner and developer of Construction of Bank of Hamilton the building who bore Completion of 1910 the Gow Block. 1924 merged with the the last name Gow. 1891 The Interurban Residents and Commercial Canadian Bank of Commerce. Line linking with services begin inhabiting the With greater reliance on the Citations . “Its first building (including the Bank car, business is pulled further Images (Bottom stop is at Cedar Cottage” of Hamilton). South Vancouver away from the Commercial St. 1 From Left): (1627 Vanness Ave.) was growing at a rate of 200 village and onto the Kingsway families per month2 throughway2 Unknown. City of Vancouver Archives. AM54-S4-2-: CVA 371- 821 Bank of Hamilton and Cedar Cottage Realty. 1913. The South A small The Cedar Matthew, James Skitt. 1909 Vancouver 1913 independent 1954 Cottage Vancouver Public Street Railway Agreement village (post office, school Interurban Line was Library. 7383. was approved which lead to etc.) had sprung up around discontinued. Smaller light Interurban arriving at the extension of the street the Interurban Cedar Cottage industry moved into what was Cedar Cottage station. 1913. car system throughout the stop (Findley and Commercial once the 3300 - 3600 blocks municipality2 St.)2,3 of the Commercial St. Village2 Matthew, James Skitt. City of Vancouver Archives. 270.10 Looking southwest from the 3400 Block Cedar Cottage Road . 1907.

Page 6 I McFaul I Summer 2013 Citations Information for Timeline:

1Davis, Chuck and Mooney, Shirley. “Vancouver - An Illustrated Chronology” Windsor Publications. Prior owners Gow Block is The Gow Block 1986. Final Ed.: Print. 1960 (unknown) move 2005 bought by Jerry 2010 renovation is out and Ernie’s Grocery Prussin and Norah Johnson completed and construction 2Luxton, Donald. moves in2 and restoration begins of the western building begins4 “Conservation Plan - Gow Block” Donald Luxton and Associates Inc. Dec. 2008. Final Ed.: A4. Print.

3Conn, Heather and Ewert, Henry. The Skytrain is Vancouver City Construction “Vancouver’s Glory 1985 built in response 2009 Council added 2012 on the Cedar Years” Whitecap Books. to Vancouver’s Expo in 1986 the building to the Vancouver Cottage Townhomes is 2003. Final Ed.: Print. using the Interurban Line Heritage Register in the ‘B’ completed4 4Jerry Prussin, Norah 4 Route as the blueprint for the evaluation category Johnson and the COV path of the Expo Line. Unlike Council Zoning Report the Interurban Line however, there was no stop built at Images Top Right: 1627 Vanness Ave., leaving the Commercial St. Village Images provided by VHF and Jerry Prussin 3 relatively quiet and Norah Johnson

Summer 2013 I McFaul I Page 7 Further Gow Block Cedar Cottage Reading “Cedar Cottage had a depopulated as a part of a unlike the streetcar system, Interurban Line: delightful small-town series of larger transportation which meant it could get ambience”1 systems within the Lower from city to city faster than A light rail form Mainland: the Interurban Line, other forms of transport. of transportation, the Kingsway Thoroughfare The arrival of the Interurban separated from the he story of the Gow and the Skytrain. The Line preceded the growth street. The interurban block is as much the line ran from Vancouver village came about from of the car, thus those who story of a building to New Westminster the Interurban Line which lived in the Lower Mainland as it is about the along a path very T was a transit line that ran depended on the Interurban similar to what is now Commercial Street Village across the Lower Mainland Line for daily life both within the Expo Line. and the City of Vancouver. (in this case from Vancouver and between the cities, The Commercial Street to New Westminster). It was resulting in its high usage. Village was populated and Citations separated from the street, 1Davis, Chuck and Mooney, Shirley. “Vancouver - An Illustrated Chronology” Windsor Publications. 1986. Final Ed.: A4. Print

2Luxton, Donald. “Conservation Plan - Gow Block” Donald Luxton and Associates Inc. Dec. 2008. Final Ed.: A4. Print.

Page 8 I McFaul I Summer 2013 Citations Images (Left):

Top: Unknown. City of Vancouver Archives. 330 -27. Cedar Cottage Looking North of our house. 1909.

Bottom (From Left): Matthew, James Skitt. Vancouver Public Library. 2293 New Westminster Interurban Line Stop. 1913.

Unknown. New Westminster Interurban s a result of the busy that it caught the interest of The Bank of Hamilton chose Line. 1910. Coast A passenger traffic, big downtown businesses, the Gow Block, within the Mountain Bus Company. small commercial ‘villages’ one of them being the Bank Village as their new location. emerged at the Interurban of Hamilton. The Village Originally built as mixed Matthew, James Skitt. Line stops. Above you can was chosen as a site for use (residential above and Vancouver Public Library. 2627 see three of the Interurban development by the Bank commercial below), the Gow New Westminster cars that passed through because the community was Block became an integral Interurban Line. 1913. Cedar Cottage and the attracting significant traffic, part of the community, being Commercial Street Village. not only from Vancouver, both one of the first buildings One of these stops was at but from all over the Lower constructed in the community 18th and Vanness, referred Mainland. This was the first and sitting on the highly to as the Commercial Street time the Bank of Hamilton visible corner of 20th and Village. Built in 1905, this had built a location outside Commercial. On this corner stop served the community of the business district which the Bank of Hamilton found of Cedar Cottage. The attests to the success of the its home. Commercial Street Village Village in relation to the city. received so much traffic Summer 2013 I McFaul I Page 9 “As the automobile Further became more popular... 1946 Reading Kingsway became a major thoroughfare drawing Legend: business further away from the old village Expo Line/ Interurban Line centre of Commercial Stop Street”1

Location of Gow Block he Commercial Street Expo Line/ TVillage continued to grow Interurban Line and become more popular, Route until the emergence of the car. The car allowed for individual mobility over long Citations distances and was faster than 1Luxton, Donald. by horse. With the growth of “Conservation Plan - the Kingsway Thoroughfare, Gow Block” Donald which ran parallel to the Luxton and Associates Interurban Line, traffic on Inc. Dec. 2008. Final Ed.: A4. Print. the Line began to decrease and by the 1950s it had all 2Conn, Heather but ceased. In 1958 the and Ewert, Henry. Interurban Line performed “Vancouver’s Glory its last run and was shut Years” Whitecap Books. 2003. Final Ed.: Print. down. With the decline of the Interurban so too came the decline of the Commercial Street Village, leaving it to become a site of light industry, a corner store and office space. Only the old structures, with their peeling Page 10 I McFaul I Summer 2013 paint remained. “A large portion of the 2013 east-west route formed a Citations blueprint for the path of Images (Page 6 2 the Skytrain” From Top):

Matthew, James Skitt. Vancouver Public Library. ut there was hope again 25019. B for the Commercial Street View looking Southeast Village in the 1980s, with the in 2500 block Commercial from Expo Line, which proposed . 1939. to run from Vancouver to New Westminster along Unknown. Interurban line the same route as the once passes just East of Cedar Cottage 1910. Coast active and popular Interurban Mountain Bus Company. Line. However, these hopes were dashed when the Matthew, James Skitt. location of the Skytrain Vancouver Public Library. 7383. stops were chosen to be at Interurban arriving at Broadway and Commercial, Cedar Cottage station. and Nanaimo and Vanness, 1913. bypassing Commercial Street. Thus the community sat and waited, hoping help would Images (Page 7 come along. That help came From Top): in the form of music store Broadway and owners Jerry Prussin and Commercial: 2013 Norah Johnson. Without intending it, their work on the Vanness and Nanaimo: 2013 building was not only trying to restore their building, but Vanness and 18th Ave.: the whole community as well. And that is just what they did...

Summer 2013 I McFaul I Page 11 Further Gow Block Jerry and Norah Reading

Awards “Little did we know we that would, in the long term, a dream. The dream, which would be putting so pay for their retirement. They got them through the more Built Green - Gold were looking to find a music difficult parts of the project, www.builtgreen much money in the Bank” canada.ca recording studio, in addition was to “restore it, and do it - Jerry Prussin to their Kitsilano music store, together”. It wasn’t until their Heritage Status B Prussin Music at 3607 West second visit to the potential www.vancouver.ca/ Broadway, when they first music studio that they noticed home-property- erry Prussin and Norah walked by the Gow Block. a new for sale sign in front development/find-a- registered-heritage- Johnson were looking Despite the bright red stucco, of the Gow Block. “What the building for a project that they the makeshift street-level Heck,” they thought and they J could work on together, living quarters and the rot bought it. Prussin Music that could be restored and in the foundation, they had

Jerry and Norah are owners of Prussin Music at 3607 West Broadway. They originally discovered the Gow Block by accident, trying to find a recording studio to work in conjunction with thier store.

Page 12 I McFaul I Summer 2013 The Team

Owners: Jerry Prussin and Norah Johnson

Architects: Ramsay Worden

Contractors Blue West Contracting

Landscape Architects: Viewpoint Landscape Architects

Engineer Brad Alberts Citations

All images provided “We had no idea what we by Jerry Prussin and were getting into” - Jerry Norah Johnson and Vancouver Heritage Prussin Foundation

he plan was to “nickel floor at some points,” Jerry to “permit as we went” Tand dime” their way and Norah reminisced. however, did not necessarily through it, getting permiting Despite having experience in go according to plan. For approval as they went, restoration (Jerry and Norah’s the new owners, permitting earning and renting out the Kitsilano home and Prussin became a nightmare. units as they restored the Music store), they felt daunted building. However, upon early by the weight of taking on a inspection, they realized this project on such a large scale. was simply not possible. The Even with the intimidating whole foundation for the task of trying something building would have to be completely new, the work redone. “There was hardly a began. The intention Summer 2013 I McFaul I Page 13 Further Gow Block Original Reading

The Robbery 1910

In late August of 1912 the Bank of Hamilton was held up by armed robbers who “escaped in a flurry of lead” - Chris Bouthillier. Citations Images (Bottom From Left):

Timms, Phillip. Vancouver Public Library. 7387. Interurban Cedar Cottage. 1913.

Matthew, James Skitt. City of Vancouver Archives. AM54-S4-: LGN 504. Looking North from Commercial St. and 20th Ave. 1913.

Timms, Phillip. Vancouver Public Library. 7385. Cedar Cottage Interurban. 1913.

Page 14 I McFaul I Summer 2013 Gow Block Prior Restoration Further Reading 2005 Additional Residential Units

By the time Jerry and Norah purchased the Gow Block, three of the four commercial units on the first floor had been converted to residential units (the corner was left as a grocery). The entranceway insets had been removed and made flush with the outermost windows. Many of the first floor windows were removed and the wooden cladding was covered over in stucco and painted red.

Citations Images (Below Left):

Images provided by Jerry Prussin and Norah Johnson

Summer 2013 I McFaul I Page 15 After Restoration Further Gow Block Reading

Below: 2010

Axonometric Drawing showing the assembly of the Gow Block

Citations Image (Right): he Gow Block has had residential units back into replacing it with wooden Tits history of renovations. commercial units. As a part cladding in the original style. Original image Jerry and Norah’s was the of this reconversion, the In addition to restoring the derived from photo documentation renovation to undo all the exterior of the first floor was cladding, they painted the others. The first things they restored with the inset wood exterior with the original did was a rehabilitation detail between the two floors colours of the building with of the foundation, which and window and frames that the support of a True Colours was much worse than they existed in the original build. Grant provided by Vancouver had expected. Next they Jerry and Norah’s restoration Heritage Foundation. Page 16 I McFaul I Summer 2013 converted the ground floor removed the red stucco, itsilano Gold. This is K the original colour for the second story wooden Further cladding. Reading

True Colours

True colours is an exterior paint granting program of Vancouver Heritage Foundation, undertaken since 1999 in partnership with Benjamin Moore & Co., Ltd. As part of the True Colours Program, the original colour of each chosen building is thoroughly documented and matched through visual and microscopic analysis.

Note: Colours may not appear accurately due to printer or viewer settings

For more information go to:

www.vancouver heritagefoundation.org/ special-projects/true- omox Green.This is the colours-palette/ C original colour for all the trim around windows

Summer 2013 I McFaul I Page 17 Citations Images (Right):

All images provided by Vancouver Heritage Foundation

Drawing:

Original axonometric esidential units need drawing derived from accessibility to natural sections and plans light. The Gow Block Skylights provided by Ramsay Worden Architects. Ris no different. It The yellow arrows on contains four units side by the diagram depict the side and is neighboured on flow of natural light the north side by a three and how light enters story building. This means into all corners of the structure itself. The only the southernmost unit roof and the top floor would receive natural light are shown to describe from a north/south direction if how light enters the it weren’t for the presence of interior through a wide light wells. These light wells selection of skylights on the exterior. were a part of the original design and were preserved in Jerry and Norah’s renovation. They provide light and air flow into areas that would otherwise be dark and stagnant. Working with the large quantity of skylights and East/West windows, East every room and corner of the North south light West Light second floor of the Gow Block has access to natural light and Page 18 I McFaul I Summer 2013 air. Original Subdivision New Subdivision Further Reading

Alternative Parking:

In the proposal it was also outlined very clearly that “a nominal increase in parking would occur, as would Legend: be the case if the site was redeveloped without the proposed Property Outline heritage building.” Subdivision Line Building Outline Citations Site Location Maps:

Derived from City of been a nightmare.” So Jerry Ramsay Worden responded Vancouver’s Planning “A subdivision is Department Map of proposed to allow and Norah reoriented the to these concerns by South Vancouver (1946) separate ownership of lots. incorporating parking within and Vanmaps (2013) There was an extensive the building design with ‘The Gow Block’ and notification period where five permanent parking 1City of Vancouver reduce building bylaw 250 surrounding owners spots, ensuring that the new Planning Department. 1 “Design and Heritage upgrades” were informed of the building followed the City Revitalization proposed changes. There of Vancouver’s Heritage Agreement. 3589 he property the Gow were no outright objections Guidelines as well as The Commercial Street” Block sits on was stated, although one letter Standards and Guidelines for City of Vancouver. Feb. comprised of two lots had expressed concern the Conservation of Historic 2009. Final Ed.: A4. Print. T running east-west. that “approval will likely Places in Canada (further Behind the Gow Block sat a increase traffic and parking information see page 16). garden and an empty parking impacts in the area,” and lot. The bureaucracy involved that the proposal “should in building a new structure be consistent with heritage across two lots would “have policies.” Summer 2013 I McFaul I Page 19 Citations Illustration:

Bob Worden. Illustration for Gow Block. 2009. Ramsay Worden Architects. Jerry Prussin Blog. Web. Fri. May 24th 2013.

Text Right:

1City of Vancouver Planning Department. “Design and Heritage Revitalization Agreement. 3589 Cedar Cottage Townhomes Commercial Street” City of Vancouver. Feb. 2009. Final Ed.: A4. through the innovative use of connected to a communal Print. “The most viable option to retain and conserve materials, circulation systems outdoor space in a front the heritage building is to and simple aesthetic choices courtyard on the east side such as paint colour. For and private outdoor space in permit the development example, the townhomes the back on an open air deck 1 of the rear portion” were painted with the same on the fourth floor. colour palette as the Gow This project contributes he Cedar Cottage Block (Comox Green and a positive face for the Townhomes sought Kitsilano Gold) and fitted Commercial Street Village out to achieve three with HRV systems, and by developing a new green goals: build a green/ On Demand Hot Water in structure that maintains T coordination with the build to the aesthetic style of the sustainable structure, while maintaining the heritage Green Gold Standard. neighbourhood while still character of the development The Cedar Cottage having its own unique visual and keeping the project Townhomes’ design decisions identity as well. at a low cost. These goals allow for ample access to Page 20 I McFaul I Summer 2013 were successfully achieved green space. Each unit is he studio in the southernmost unit (see axonometric T diagram, far left) allows it to be used not only as a place of residence, like the other four townhomes, but as a place of work as well. The large windows and the corner position on 20th allow for a well lit work area, while also providing ample commercial display space visible to people passing by. The separate entrance into the studio that faces out onto the street, allows for the studio to be rented out independently. Meanwhile the internal entrance into the studio (from the unit itself), provides the opportunity for the studio to be used by the unit’s residents as a live work space. This flexibility of the studio largely dictated its Summer 2013 I McFaul I Page 21 design. Interior Interior Framing Exterior Concrete Wall Finish Sheathing Siding (see Further below) Reading

Fibre Cement Siding Vapour Fibre cement siding (in Barrier this project HardiePlank Lap Siding was used) is a cladding material used to cover the Rain exterior of commercial and domestic buildings. Sheet It is a composite mixture derived from sand, cement and Insulation cellulose fibres. It is quite commonly used to replace wood siding.

Citations oncrete siding is Text: C effective economically, environmentally and James Hardi. aesthetically. It is cheaper in HardiePlank Lap Siding. installation and reduces costs New York: James Hardi. through the lifespan of the 2012. Web. 14th June. project with the lower rates of 2013 heat loss etc. Environmentally, concrete siding insulates better. Aesthetically, the siding appears the same as wood, and can be painted (preserves paint longer), in keeping with the visual style of the Gow block. Page 22 I McFaul I Summer 2013 Gow Block Heritage Garden Further Reading eating was a major focus Sfor the landscaping portion “Heritage Garden” of this project. The benches, galleries and deck furniture One of the major goals work together to form small for the landscaping portion of this project gathering areas that feed into was to restore the plant a larger space. The garden life to what would have to brings everyone on the grown on the site prior site from all the suites in both to development. The buildings together. The back idea was to restore the garden, like the of the Gow Block and the restoration of the Gow benches in the front of the Block, by using local townhomes have a specfic plants that grow in relationship with one another. the forests of British They allow residents to be Columbia. close enough for conversation Note: The three plants but far enough away that they shown to the left are still feel private, encourgaing a sample from the the idea of this collective garden (wider selection gathering space in planting plan). Not all plants are local Citations

Images (Left):

Images provided by, Viewpoint, Jerry Prussin and Norah Johnson

Dwarf Strawberry Bush Western Sword Fern White Bleeding Heart

Arbutus unedo ‘Compacta’ Polystichum munitum Dicentra spectabilis ‘Alba’ Summer 2013 I McFaul I Page 23 Further Gow Block Cedar Cottage Reading he Commercial Street goal by focussing on how neighbourhood and bringing Community Vision Village will never be the village can serve the the Commercial Street Village the popular hub of neighbouring community. closer to the popular locus This Vision describes activity from all across The Community Vision for it could be, although this the community that T people who live and the Lower Mainland that it the Cedar Cottage Area time, the popular locus is work in once was. The Interurban outlines a series of goals for oriented around immediate Kensington-Cedar Line ceases to exist and the the neighbourhood regarding neighbours rather than Cottage want it to Skytrain doesn’t stop at this what residents and the city commuters from across the become over the next little pocket of development. want the community to be. Lower Mainland. The Gow 10 to 20 years, and how CityPlan But, looking to the future, the The Gow Block is evidence of Block works in coordination directions should be community is moving towards these goals leaving their mark with the community by acting implemented. an economically, socially and on the built environment. out the goals outlined in the environmentally sustainable It aids in revitalizing the Community Vision. Citations City of Vancouver. KCC Kensington-Cedar Cottage Community Plan Goals Community Vision. City of Vancouver Cleaner Greener Single Family New Housing Choices Community Plan. 1998. Neighbourhouds Neighbourhouds Web. 14th June. 2013. “Include rowhouses, four and “There should be higher standards “Most single family areas should be sixplexes, and duplexes... This new of maintenance and cleanliness for kept as now, maintaining the sense housing should be attractive and fit 1 private and public property, to deal of community that residents value. into the existing neighbourhoods.” with litter, dumping, graffiti, and In areas with ‘character’.”1 neglected properties.”1 The Gow Block not only maintained The Gow Block’s restoration the rentable units that were already The improved “construction not only maintains but actually within the building, but added four techniques and quality of materials” improves “the sense of community more living units on what was once not only meant that the new that residents value”. Its ‘character’ an unused parking lot. This new restored structure would “be easier was so well preserved it was kept rowhouse unit was Built to Green to maintain and look good longer” right down to its original colours. Gold Standard, it added density to but also that “litter and graffiti” All in all, the restoration gives value the neighbourhood and maintained would decrease because the Gow to the residents who have lived in visual consistency with the Gow block set a higher standard for the this neighbourhood for years. Block out front. Page 24 I McFaul I Summer 2013 community.