Living on the edge
James Burton and Joanne Rankin bought their home at 656 East Georgia St. in 1988. The couple had been living in the West End and Ms. Rankin in particular had reservations about moving to Strathcona on Vancouver's east side with its seamy reputation.
"I said there would be too many hookers, no trees and I would hate it," says Ms. Rankin. "But, I would try it for a year as an experiment."
Now, almost 20 years later she says, "I was wrong." The area's troubled reputation has made for strong bonds between neighbours.
Strathcona is one of Vancouver's oldest neighbourhoods and the starting place for many waves of immigrants. Mr. Burton describes it as "a place where people always got a toe hold." He sees Strathcona's history evolving in continuous stages of development; as one generation ages the next looks to move in.
Related to this article
Strathcona and the east side have long-running reputations as being areas ruled by drugs, prostitution and crime. Couples like James Burton and Joanne Rankin see these ills as part of the reason residents have been able to create such a strong community. (Thomasina Gordon/The Globe and Mail)
Couples like Mr. Burton and Ms. Rankin are now being followed by a new wave of young home buyers pushed by rising prices to take a chance on a gentrifying neighbourhood. The payoff is an affordable home near the city centre.
In fact, concerns by locals are not of crime and cleanliness, they are growing worries of the possibility of a massive influx of newcomers which will disrupt the very community they have always protected.
Toni Pohl along with business partner, realtor (Sutton-West Coast Realty) and Strathcona resident, Rick Stonehouse feel a big change has occurred not just in Strathcona but the entire east side. "People used to live in the east end because it was all they could afford, now they choose the east side because they would rather live here," says Ms. Pohl who bought a small row-house with two one-bedroom units in July 2003 for $326,500 and values it now at $570,000.
Strathcona and the east side, particularly East Hastings, have long-running reputations of being areas ruled by drugs, prostitution and crime. Paradoxically, Mr. Burton and Ms. Rankin see these ills as part of the reason residents have been able to create such a strong community. "Because of all the Hastings' action, it means people here get together more than they might anywhere else and really get to know each other," says Ms. Rankin.
Many agree, including Riel and Juliet Roussopoulos, who have lived in Strathcona for seven years and recently moved into a renovated heritage home at 750 Princess Ave (Their realtor is Rick Stonehouse). "Because it is such a strong community and everybody knows everybody else, we are able to watch out for each other and we really notice when someone who doesn't belong comes into the neighbourhood," says Mrs. Roussopoulos. The Roussopoulos' home was built in 1905 and was renovated and restored by the previous owner with the original woodwork and modern twists like a gourmet kitchen.
Worries over the area's rough reputation still loom large for prospective buyers. Donna Dornik, who moves into her 'new' heritage home at 885 East Georgia Street this month, was close to walking away from her down-payment and Strathcona when she began to second guess her decision.
After losing numerous bidding wars in the West End by overbids of $20,000 to $60,000 and one near Commercial Drive where her own bid was $20,000 over the asking price, Ms. Dornik was encouraged by her realtor to look into Strathcona.
In return she has found a home with a basement suite to generate revenue, three-stories of a renovated heritage house for personal living space and a real sense of community.
Ms. Pohl and Mr. Stonehouse agree. "Rick has lived in Strathcona for 13 years, he is always saying that he lives there for the community and would never live anywhere else," says Ms. Pohl, "Of course, as a realtor he takes a lot of joking slack from the neighbourhood for the skyrocketing prices. However, in comparison to the rest of the Vancouver market, Strathcona is right on-par."
Real estate agent Jason Low (Macdonald Realty Ltd.) has been working in Strathcona for over three years. "The area is not for everyone but there is a great sense of community in the neighbourhood and a mix of homes: Vancouver Specials, Edwardians, Victorians, Post-war bungalows, etc., as well as an eclectic blend of people."
Ms. Dornik was lucky to find a home on a lot-and-a-half that contains proof of its cultural history complete with exotic garden flora like a banana tree and fig plant.
"Standard lot sizes in Strathcona are 25 feet, as opposed to 33 feet in other parts of Vancouver, " says Mr. Low, "So, people here are buying smaller lots with smaller homes but that doesn't make them difficult to sell, they just have to be priced right and let's just say that most homes have doubled in the last five years."
Ms. Dornik's house was built in 1893 and restored and renovated by its previous owners. It contains the original wood floors, doorways and staircase as well as classical touches such as high ceilings and stained glass window. The previous owners added modern touches such as the restored third floor with windows in the vaulted ceilings and an open floor plan.
Though she paid top dollar for the home, Ms. Dornik received a lot of value for her money and, "I would have paid 50 to 75 per cent more for something like this in Kits," she says. Though her biggest concern was safety, she has come to realize that the community is stronger and safer because people are more aware.
"I think people here are willing to live with that, and so the people you have as neighbours tend to be more accepting of differences and that translates into great neighbourliness," says Mr. Burton.
It also gives what Riel Roussopoulos calls a "small town feel" and allows individuals the chance to really make a difference within the community. For instance, after the birth of her second son, Ms. Rankin took inventory of the neighbourhood trees. With stroller in hand she walked the streets of Strathcona with a Parks Board Arborist and pointed out areas where trees could grow, the following fall 300 trees were planted around the neighbourhood.
Other than some electrical re-wiring, Mr. Burton and Ms. Rankin lived in their new home for 12 years with no renovations. Meanwhile, their neighbours mentioned they were thinking of selling, and because this was before zoning laws and restrictions, Mr. Burton and Ms. Rankin were concerned that a developer would move in. After a fruitless search to convince friends to buy the neighbouring home before it hit the market, Mr. Burton awoke in the night to share his realization with Ms. Rankin. "James sat up in bed and said 'oh, well, we'll have to buy it," says Ms. Rankin. The only way to do this was to re-mortgage the first house and rent out the second.
As their home began to deteriorate Burton/Rankin realized there was a need for some major renovations. By combining the properties they were able (with the new zoning guidelines in place) to build infill housing which Burton/Rankin totally agree with as a way to, "deal with densification in a way that still keeps the character of the surrounding houses," Mr. Burton says. They entered into a Heritage Revitalization Agreement with the city, which meant that in return for restoring the front houses in an acceptable way, they were able to build a house on the lane and sell it in order to pay for the renovations of their house on East Georgia. The renovations took place over ten months.
The house was built in 1892 and needed updating. As an architect, Mr. Burton was able to design a house which upheld many of the home's original aspects like high ceilings, original wood flooring, classic exterior and size, but modify it with new windows and an open living space. "It was hard work, really tense but, it was worth it," says Ms. Rankin who also adds that there is not a day she comes home and doesn't take note of "how beautiful and comfortable it is here."
