A handful of heritage revitalization agreements currently working their way through Coquitlam city hall are an “encouraging” sign that policy changes designed to protect old buildings are having a positive impact, according to one city staffer.
Jim McIntyre, the city’s general manager of planning and development, said in many cases, architects can incorporate older structures into new plans, updating buildings and bringing them up to code while creating some unique housing projects in the process.
“It is very encouraging to see it,” McIntyre said. “My fundamental belief is that you have to give them new life… With the [heritage revitalization agreements], it provides that flexibility.”
Two heritage agreements for two separate properties in southwest Coquitlam were given the go-ahead by council Monday night, both put forward by Pattison Architecture.
The first is a three-lot subdivision at 364 Blue Mountain St., where the Irwin House currently sits. It is believed that the structure celebrated its 100th birthday last year and it has been the home of several prominent Coquitlam residents, including pioneer William Austin and former aldermen Robert Hawthorne and George Gray. Throughout its history, the 10,000 sq. ft. property was used for farming, bee keeping, fruit and hay production, poultry raising and horse keeping.
If the project is approved, the two new single-family homes on the site would “pay tribute to the architectural cues of Irwin House,” according to a staff report.
A larger development proposed on Casey Street also sought a heritage revitalization agreement. In that case, the proponent wants to move the 94-year-old Hutchinson House, which is at risk of demolition at its current location at 700 Rochester Ave., to 320 Casey St. Once it is at the new location, it will be brought up to code and incorporated into a 14-unit townhouse development.
A staff report said the building is historically significant because it shows the agricultural character that existed on the outskirts of Maillardville in the early 1900s.
Maison LeBlanc is another project currently underway by Pattison Architecture, which last year restored Rocheleau Cottage (built in 1929), Maison Velay (1910) and Blue Mountain House (1914).
And McIntyre hinted that more projects incorporating historically significant structures could be on the way.
“It took a few at first to get going but there are a couple of developers that have really keyed in on this,” McIntyre said. “It is a labour of love but there is a good business case.”
