Shaughnessy is an almost-entirely residential neighbourhood in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, spanning about 447 hectares in a relatively central locale. It is bordered by 16th Avenue to the north, 41st Avenue to the south, Oak Street to the east, and East Boulevard to the west. The older section of the neighbourhood, called “First Shaughnessy,” is considered more prestigious and is bordered by 16th Avenue to the north, King Edward Avenue to the south, Oak Street to the east, and East Boulevard to the west. In 2011, the population was approximately 8,807. It was named after Thomas Shaughnessy, 1st Baron Shaughnessy, former president of the Canadian Pacific Railway.
Little Flower Academy
4195 Alexandra St, Vancouver, BC V6J 4C6
Through class, liturgy, formal curriculum, a wide range of extracurricular activities, sports and performing arts, students at Little Flower Academy are educated to be healthy, challenged to achieve, and are encouraged to enjoy learning. LFA builds confidence and enhances self-esteem in every girl so that their spiritual, intellectual, physical, and emotional potential is realized.
Shaughnessy Elementary School
4250 Marguerite St, Vancouver, BC V6J 4G3
Shaughnessy Elementary School is located in the heart of the Shaughnessy neighbourhood in Vancouver, British Columbia. The foundation stone was laid on September 22, 1919 by HRH the Prince of Wales and the school opened in 1920 as Prince of Wales Elementary and Secondary School. Additional wings were added to the school in 1922. In 1960, the current Prince of Wales Secondary School was opened and the school was renamed Shaughnessy Elementary after its neighbourhood. The school’s interior was fully remodeled and updated to seismic standards in 1997.
Quilchena Elementary School
5300 Maple St, Vancouver, BC V6M 3T6
Quilchena is a dual track school with approximately 300 students divided equally between the French Immersion and English tracks. In the English track, approximately 40% of students are English Language Learners. There is also a growing number of ELL students in French Immersion, especially in the primary years. Of note are the different catchment areas for English and French. The catchment for English is from Larch to Granville and 33rd to 41st Avenue. The catchment in French Immersion encompasses the district. Although most of our French Immersion students live in the neighbourhood, several of our younger students and their siblings are driven across the city to attend French Immersion. A variety of cultural backgrounds are represented in both tracks. We have a number of students who arrive directly from overseas and our families live in a variety of accommodations and locations, given the large combined catchment area. A large percentage of families have both parents working outside the home. Many of our students attend the on-site daycare. The daycare accommodates approximately 60 students before and after school and during school vacations. It is an integral and valued part of the school.
Point Grey Secondary School
5350 East Blvd, Vancouver, BC V6M 3V2
Point Grey Secondary is a comprehensive school with a long tradition of excellence in academics, fine and performing arts, applied skills, athletics, and service. With approximately 955 students in Grades 8 – 12, the school serves the Kerrisdale, Shaughnessy, Southlands, Musqueam, and Dunbar areas. Established in 1929, Point Grey has a unique “Collegiate Gothic” architectural design and is bordered by a track and field facility, tennis courts, Kerrisdale Ice Arena and Park. There is a strong focus on academic performance, with staff setting high standards for student achievement and students having high expectations for personal performance. Family expectations of student performance are also high, with many parents encouraging their children to continue their studies at post-secondary institutions across Canada and the United States.
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.
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.
Devonshire Park
1250 Devonshire Crescent, Vancouver, BC V6H 2G2
This quiet park is nicely shaded with the large, tree-covered lawns, making it a wonderful place to stroll or relax on one of the many benches.
VanDusen Botanical Garden
5251 Oak St, Vancouver, BC V6M 4H1
This beautiful oasis in the heart Vancouver boasts over 8,000 plant species from around the world. Visitors often take a leisurely stroll through the vibrant and peaceful walkways through the garden, go through the hedge maze, or dine at Truffles Café or Shaughnessy Restaurant.
Shaughnessy Park
1300 The Crescent, Vancouver, BC V6H 1T4
This oval shaped park sits in the middle of Shaughnessy’s curving roads and picturesque landscape. It features an outstanding collection of trees and quiet location, making it a peaceful place to enjoy the morning paper or an evening 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.