Heritage Lift and Full Gut Renovation

LOCATION: Kitsilano, Vancouver BC

DESIGNER: Laurel Miles

This heritage home underwent a major transformation to improve functionality, comfort, and long-term performance while preserving key original character details. The project included a new foundation to create a higher basement ceiling and allow for a new two-bedroom suite. The home was fully gutted, asbestos was removed, and all major systems were upgraded, including plumbing, electrical, insulation, vapour barrier, and air barrier improvements in the portions of the exterior that were rebuilt.

Additional exterior and structural work included new high-efficiency windows and doors, a rebuilt front entrance with proper torch-on membrane protection, and a new garage at the rear of the property to replace an aging carport. To improve access, we also constructed new retaining walls and walkways with a sloped approach to the basement instead of stairs. The original stained glass was preserved in the front window to maintain the heritage character of the home.

The mechanical upgrades included a heat pump system, hot water on demand for both the suite and the main home, a level 2 EV charger in the garage, electric baseboard heat for the suite, and an HRV system in the main house to improve indoor air quality.

Project Highlights

• New foundation to allow for a higher basement ceiling and a new two-bedroom suite.
• Full interior gut and asbestos removal.
• New plumbing and city service connection.
• All new electrical throughout the home.
• New insulation and vapour barrier.
• New air barrier where exterior sections were rebuilt.
• High-efficiency windows installed.
• Front entrance updated with torch-on membrane to create usable office space below the porch.
• Original stained glass preserved in the front window.
• All new exterior and interior doors.
  New garage built at the rear of the property.
• Old carport removed and replaced.
• New retaining walls and sloped walkways for easier basement access.
• Heat pump system installed as an energy upgrade.
• Level 2 EV charger added in the garage.
• Hot water on demand installed for both the suite and main house.
• Electric baseboard heating installed for the suite.
• HRV installed in the main house for improved air quality.
• New front stairs and railings installed.