Infill duplex proposed at heritage home in Central Lonsdale

At a council meeting today, June 27, City of North Vancouver council will consider approving an infill duplex at 245 East 10th Street in Central Lonsdale.

The proposal also includes a Heritage Designation Bylaw to protect the existing Heritage “A” building on the site in perpetuity.

The 6,992 square feet site is located on the south side of East 10th Street in the middle of the block between St. Georges Ave. and St. Andrews Street in Central Lonsdale.

The heritage building on the site is identified on the City’s heritage register as the Gowan Residence, also known as the Wismer Residence. The building is A-listed and has been recognized as having significant heritage value.

To help offset the costs associated with the heritage conservation efforts, including upgrades and securing a Heritage Designation of the property, the owners have proposed a new infill duplex building at the rear of the site.

Additional vegetation will be provided between the heritage home and infill building including two trees. The landscaping will provide visual separation between the two buildings and increased privacy for residence on the site and adjacent neighbouring properties.

The two storey infill building is designed to be compatible with the Gowan Residence heritage house. “The Gowan Residence would remain the focal point of the site as the new infill building would have a low profile, be sited close to the rear property line and have a building separation of 6.9 metres, with reduced visibility from the street,” notes the staff report to council.

Constructed in 1908, the heritage house is characterized by its full-width front porch and steeply pitched hipped roof. The home is significant for its association with the Edwardian era development of the City of North Vancouver; for its history of ownership and for its Foursquare architecture.