MacKenzie Heights is one of Vancouver’s most fantastic family neighbourhoods. This website provides up to date listing information on the MacKenzie Heights neighbourhood showing all active houses for sale.
Please feel free to contact us for an evaluation on your property or to view any of these listings.
MacKenzie Heights is nestled in the heart of Vancouver’s West Side. It is the upper part of a larger neighbourhood called Arbutus Ridge, which is bordered by 16th Avenue in the north, 41st Avenue in the south, Mackenzie Street in the west, and East Boulevard in the east. With stately homes on tree lined streets, residents of the area enjoy relative seclusion in a quiet leafy enclave, while benefitting from the area’s close proximity to downtown Vancouver, the University of British Columbia, local beaches including Kitsilano and Jericho, and the various shopping districts of West Side Vancouver.
Trafalgar Elementary School
4170 Trafalgar St, Vancouver, BC V6L 2M5
Trafalgar School offers Kindergarten to Grade 7 instruction to approximately 440 students, almost two-thirds of whom are in the French Immersion track and just over one-third in the English stream. While the French Immersion population is very stable with most students having English as a home/first language, approximately 70% of those in the English stream have learned or are learning English as a second/additional language. These students are primarily Mandarin speaking with some Cantonese and a sampling of various other languages. Many students in the English stream only have one parent living with them in Vancouver. Often the mothers are here on their own with very little English and support and a limited understanding of the education system in Canada. Trafalgar has a very strong parent community who works closely with staff, to enhance students’ experiences.
Prince of Wales Secondary School
2250 Eddington Dr, Vancouver, BC V6L 2E7
Prince of Wales offers several district programs to meet a diverse range of student needs. These include: the PW Mini School for academic and motivated students in grades 8 – 12; the TREK Outdoor and Environmental Education Program for grade 10s; an inclusive Learning Support Program (LSP) for grades 8 and 9 students with learning designations; and the GOLD program for twice exceptional students in grades 8 – 12. Our school has a strong extracurricular program, an active Students’ Council, a wide range of clubs, and intramural and school sports teams which all offer student opportunities for leadership and contribution beyond the academic program. Several school teams competed at the provincial level this year including soccer, swimming, tennis, track and field and ultimate. Field study experiences are a big part of Prince of Wales.
Kitsilano Secondary School
2706 Trafalgar St, Vancouver, BC V6K 2J6
Kitsilano Secondary School teaching faculty and staff offer strong educational programs provided in a friendly, cooperative atmosphere. The staff reflects a broad range of educational backgrounds and teaching experiences and many of these professionals continuously upgrade their teaching credentials. They are dedicated to engaging students and supporting them to be their best in the classroom and in extracurricular activities such as fine arts, athletics, and service-oriented clubs.
Lord Kitchener Elementary School
3455 W King Edward Ave, Vancouver, BC V6S 1M4
The original Lord Kitchener Elementary School opened in the Dunbar neighbourhood of Vancouver in 1914. In October 2012, a striking seismically upgraded school that incorporated the original 1914 frame school building was opened. The design of the new school enables students and staff to work together in a school environment that is bright, innovative, modern, visually stimulating, and physically accessible. The school is comprised of six learning communities. Each community features professional offices, learning spaces, and a learning commons; a space where students and staff can meet and work together.
St. George’s School
4175 W 29th Ave, Vancouver, BC V6S 1V1
Through a broad and inclusive program, students will be educated and prepared for life. They will possess a solid knowledge base in a wide range of disciplines, as well as core academic skills combined with 21st-century global skills. During their time at Saints, they will also develop key virtues such as empathy, humility, integrity, resilience, respect, and responsibility. They will be inspired to become good men!
Lord Tennyson Elementary School
2650 Maple St, Vancouver, BC V6J 2B2
Ecole Lord Tennyson Elementary is a single-track French Immersion choice program school. Families apply to the program in either Kindergarten or Grade 1, with students receiving 100% of their instruction in the French language from Kindergarten through Grade 3, and up to 80% French instruction from Grade 4 through Grade 7. For the 2020-21 school year, we are enrolling approximately 425 students and are anticipating a similar enrolment for 2021-2022.
Trafalgar Park
2610 W 23rd Ave, Vancouver, BC V6L 1N7
Surrounded by a variety of trees, this open field park is best used for field sports and features a baseball diamond, cricket pitches, and a playground.
Quilchena Park
4590 Magnolia St, Vancouver, BC V6J 4B5
The wide green fields, jogging trails, off-leash dog park, baseball diamonds, and playgrounds are welcoming to sports enthusiasts and those looking for a pleasant stroll alike.
Carnarvon Park
2995 W 19th Ave, Vancouver, BC V6L 3C3
The park offers many recreational opportunities, from a multitude of sports fields to a fitness circuit and a children’s playground.
Balaclava Park
4594 Balaclava St, Vancouver, BC V6L 2T2
Located in a quiet neighbourhood, this park offers grassy fields that are frequented by sports teams, neighbours, and children alike. It also features a wading pool and dogs off-leash areas.
Valdez Park
3210 W 22nd Ave, Vancouver, BC V6L 1N2
A small open park frequented by residents in the surrounding neighbourhood to enjoy the sunshine in the field or for a nice stroll.
Vancouver Heritage Housing
In April 1983, City Council initiated a Heritage Conservation Program. Both Council and the Vancouver Heritage Commission (then known as the Heritage Advisory Committee) realized that a comprehensive management program was necessary to identify the city’s heritage resources, to develop incentives to assist in the conservation of those resources, and to create a greater awareness and understanding of our built heritage. There are three main components to the Heritage Program.
Vancouver Heritage Register
By the end of 1986, Vancouver’s centennial year, City Council adopted the Vancouver Heritage Register (then known as the Heritage Inventory) which included buildings, landscapes, monuments and archaeological sites that have heritage significance. A site does not have to be designated to be included on the Register. There are approximately 2,400 resources listed on the Register ranging from workers cottages and utilitarian warehouses to elaborately decorated mansions and commercial buildings. The Vancouver Heritage Register [pdf] is a valuable record of the development and change that has occurred in Vancouver’s history. Approximately 21% (about 500) sites are municipally designated [see the Heritage Bylaw].
Heritage Management Plan
The Heritage Management Plan includes a program of incentives and protective measures that are aimed at promoting the conservation of our heritage resources. Incentives such as zoning by-law, subdivision by-law and parking by-law relaxations, density bonuses and transfers, and permit fast tracking encourage the restoration and continued use of heritage buildings. Protective measures include designation, heritage revitalization agreements, heritage alteration permits, heritage inspections, impact assessments, temporary protection, the withholding of approvals and permits, heritage control periods and heritage site maintenance standards.
Public Education and Information Program
This aspect of the Heritage Conservation Program provides information to the public on heritage issues and appropriate conservation techniques. Initiatives such as the annual Heritage Awards which recognize efforts that further the goal of heritage conservation are also an important part of the Heritage Program. The Heritage Plaque Program identifies municipally designated heritage sites with a distinctive bronze plaque and serves to acknowledge conservation efforts of building owners. It also increases public awareness of our built heritage and of our history.
What is the Vancouver Heritage Register?
The Vancouver Heritage Register [PDF] is the cornerstone of the City’s Heritage program. Adopted in 1986 (then known as the Heritage Inventory), it is a policy and guideline document which includes approximately 2,150 buildings, and 131 landscapes, monuments and archaeological sites. To be included on the Register, sites must be identified as having heritage value and/or heritage character and be at least 20 years old. The Register is a planning tool which provides a valuable record of Vancouver’s heritage.
How Was the Heritage Register Completed and How Are Buildings Evaluated?
A comprehensive architectural survey of the city was completed by a study team that looked at every street in the City to identify notable buildings. This work, together with additional historical research on the buildings, was used to evaluate each building according to the following criteria: (1) architectural significance; (2) historical significance; (3) the extent to which the original context of the building and its surroundings remain; and (4) the degree of alteration to the exterior of the building.
To be included on the Heritage Register, a site is evaluated as outlined above, and in so doing it must be identified as having heritage value and/or heritage character. Heritage value means historical, cultural, aesthetic, scientific or educational worth. Heritage character means the overall effect produced by traits or features which give a property or an area its distinctive quality. There can be different degrees and kinds of value and character. A rare example of a once-common building type may be of considerable value in one neighbourhood over a similar building in another area where that building type is more prevalent.
What do the “A”, “B” and “C” Evaluation Categories Mean?
These categories are general classifications and are based on any combination of historic, architectural, cultural, spiritual, scientific or social values.
A – Primary Significance
Represents the best examples of a style or type of building; may be associated with a person or event of significance.
B – Significant
Represents good examples of a particular style or type, either individually or collectively; may have some documented historical or cultural significance in a neighbourhood.
C – Contextual or Character
Represents those buildings that contribute to the historic character of an area or streetscape, usually found in groupings of more than one building but may also be of individual importance.
While the category is a useful reference, the key is that whichever category a building is placed under, it has heritage value.
Can Registered Buildings be Altered or Demolished?
Does a Building’s “A”, “B” or “C” Category Affect How It Is Treated?
A building which is listed on the Heritage Register can be altered on the exterior. However, when considering alterations, the way in which the exterior is treated should not depend on whether it is an “A”, “B” or “C”. In other words, the heritage value of each building on the Heritage Register is formally recognized and the elements that define its character should be afforded the same level of respect. If a permit is required for the alteration, it will be referred to heritage staff for comments as part of the permit process.
Council’s “Heritage Polices and Guidelines” describe Council’s intent with respect to heritage properties listed on the Vancouver Heritage Register (VHR). Before a permit can be issued to demolish a building on the VHR, development and building permits for the new development must first be obtained. In this period staff would explore retention options with the applicant. Often applicants do not know all the options and incentives/bonuses which are applicable if a heritage building is retained. These can include floor area bonuses and relaxations in height, setbacks, parking, etc. Heritage incentives are meant to be used to successfully find alternatives to the demolition of heritage buildings to the satisfaction of both the property owner and the city.
In addition to the process described above, Council policy specifies that if a building is listed in the “A” category on the VHR and demolition is sought by the owner, then:
“Council has instructed that, prior to consideration of a proposal for the demolition of an “A” building, a formal independent consultant’s report on the physical condition and economic viability of retaining the building should be reviewed by the Director of Planning. The consultant’s report is to be carried out at the expense of the applicant.”
The Planning Department’s practice in this regard has been to advise Council of the demolition request for an “A” listed building and seek their advice. For all other buildings on the Vancouver Heritage Register, if the development application is “outright” with respect to use and regulation, and there is no voluntary interest in keeping the building by the owner (or prospective owner) then the heritage hold would be removed and the demolition application process would proceed. The process typically takes one to three weeks.
For applications that seek a “conditional” development with respect to use or regulation, (e.g. a single family dwelling containing a secondary suite) the City is under no obligation to approve an application that seeks the demolition of a building on the VHR. Instead, Council’s policy instructs staff to give special consideration through applying zoning incentives to applications that seek the retention of a resource on the Heritage Register. It can take one to six months to complete the permitting process to retain the heritage building, depending on the complexity of the site, development requested and the level of negotiation.
In addition to the procedures described above, the Vancouver Charter (sections 583 and 589) permits Council to delay the demolition approval of a building either on the Heritage Register or a building that “may be heritage property”, through temporary protection for a period of 120 days. During this time, a heritage inspection may be ordered (at the owners expense) to assess the heritage value of the site.
How are Sites Added to the Vancouver Heritage Register?
When the original Heritage Register was adopted in 1986, Council supported a public nomination program whereby sites would be nominated for addition to the Register. Public nominations are reviewed by heritage staff who prepare an evaluation form for the site. The evaluation is then reviewed by the Vancouver Heritage Commission. If the person nominating the building is not the owner, then consultation with the owner must occur to determine whether or not the owner is supportive of the nomination. Sites with sufficient heritage value or character are forwarded to Council for consideration in amending the Register. If approved, the site is added to the Register.