A heritage stamp will soon be placed on one of Coquitlam's oldest homes as part of a campaign to save the city's historical buildings.
On Monday, following a public hearing, city council granted second and third readings to rezone and designate for heritage purposes Red House, a home built 101 years ago that now sits empty - and mostly in ruins - across from Place des Arts.
Architect Matthew Cheng told council Red House will be renovated and used as an amenities space for the residents in the 66 apartments and 14 townhouses to be built to the north.
A landscape architect also told council the redeveloped site - located off Brunette Avenue and between Therrien and Begin streets - will include a children's playground, a community garden and a water feature. And a representative from Donald Luxton and Associates, the heritage building experts, noted enough materials could be salvaged from Red House to preserve it.
Last summer, arsonists torched Red House, damaging about 70% of it.
Coun. Lou Sekora said while he believes the housing project will revitalize Maillardville, Red House should no longer be considered a heritage building because of the fire destruction.
Red House was first used as a mushroom barn on Begin Street and owned by Tom Allard, a Fraser Mills steamfitter who later served as an alderman. Its next owner, Tom Filiatrault, a Fraser Mills pipefitter, moved the Red House to its present site in 1920 at 1123-1129 Brunette Ave. and turned it into a fourplex with a barbershop.
Recently, the city has made considerable strides to safeguard its heritage buildings.
Last month, Mayor Richard Stewart announced the municipality had bought Booth Farm on Brunette Avenue plus an adjoining vacant lot for more than $1 million. Booth Farm was built in 1901, making it one of the oldest buildings in the city.
