The Extra Special, “Vancouver Special”
Maximum Rental Revenue From Additional Three Rental Suites.
The property owner of a 1946 bungalow in Vancouver’s Queen Elizabeth Park neighbourhood approached our Averra team to help them enhance their property.
The goal – The perfect home for themselves while at the same time provide additional housing and rental income.
History
The owner of a 1946 bungalow in Vancouver’s Queen Elizabeth Park neighborhood approached our Averra team with a vision to enhance their property. Their goal was twofold: to create the perfect home for themselves while also providing additional housing and rental income.
We worked closely with the homeowner to assess their personal needs and explore how to optimize the floor space ratio (FSR) for the property. The resulting design delivered a customized living space tailored to the owner’s requirements, while also offering functional, attractive, and high-quality homes for future tenants.
The original 50 x 115 RS-1 lot, which housed a 1,900 sq. ft. 1940s bungalow with two bedrooms and one bathroom, was transformed into a 4,000 sq. ft. side-by-side duplex, each unit featuring its own secondary suite. This impressive transformation was conceived in collaboration with one of our trusted Vancouver home designers, Alex Glegg.
The Queen Elizabeth Park Modern Duplex is a unique and striking custom build, featuring a shallow-pitched roofline reminiscent of the iconic Vancouver Special architectural style. Fun fact: over 10,000 Vancouver Specials were constructed throughout the city between the 1960s and 1980s, valued for their practical design and optimization of livable space.
This project has generated significant interest and admiration from the community, with many appreciating how seamlessly these new homes blend into the existing neighborhood. Could this be the beginning of Vancouver Special 2.0 duplex? It certainly offers a modern take on a beloved classic.
About
The Queen Elizabeth Park Modern Duplex is not just a side-by-side duplex with two lower-level one-bedroom suites—it’s a bold and innovative project that replaced a tired bungalow with four exceptional homes. While it may sound straightforward, this project is rich in design and functionality.
The exterior breaks away from the traditional symmetrical middle-split duplex. Instead, it showcases a skillfully designed asymmetrical façade, featuring a bold window configuration, metal accents, vertical burnt wood siding, and stucco for a striking visual appeal. This modern design enhances the home’s unique presence within the neighborhood.
Inside, the two halves are mirror images in structure but have been meticulously customized to optimize the homeowners’ living space. Collaborating with Melanie Finkleman of Hazel and Brown Design Co., the interior selections were thoughtfully crafted to meet the owner’s personal needs while ensuring classic, durable, and practical design choices for the rental spaces.
The homeowners’ primary residence is a 1,300 sq ft half-duplex that offers an exceptional living experience. On the top floor, there are two spacious bedrooms, each with its own ensuite, as well as a home office and laundry area. The large windows, skylights, and vaulted ceilings flood the home with natural light, creating bright and welcoming spaces.
The main floor features a spacious open-concept layout where the kitchen, dining room, and living room blend seamlessly together. The living room extends out to a west-facing deck through a triple-slider glass door system, ideal for indoor-outdoor living. A bright foyer and large powder room add to the functionality and charm of the main level.
The upper floor continues to impress with two large bedrooms, each featuring its own ensuite bathroom. The bright office, with its contemporary double glass doors, overhead skylight, and south-facing window, creates the perfect workspace, while the conveniently located laundry room adds to the ease of living.
This thoughtfully designed duplex offers not only a fresh approach to modern living but also a unique, asymmetrical design that breaks the mold of typical duplex construction.
Benefits of a Duplex
- Increased Rental Income: Live in one unit and rent out the other to generate passive income, helping offset mortgage payments or other expenses.
- Cost-Effective: Typically more affordable than purchasing two separate homes, making it a great option for multi-generational families or investors.
- Shared Maintenance: Homeowners can share maintenance costs and responsibilities between the two units, reducing overall upkeep expenses.
- Versatility: Duplexes offer flexible living options, whether for extended family, renting one side, or using both units as an investment property.
- Potential Tax Benefits: Owners may qualify for tax deductions on mortgage interest, property taxes, and other expenses related to the rental unit.
- Privacy and Independence: Duplexes provide separate living spaces with private entrances, giving residents privacy while still sharing the same building.
- Opportunity to Build Equity: Duplexes can appreciate in value, allowing homeowners to build equity while benefiting from additional income.
- Customizable: Offers the ability to design and customize both units to suit personal preferences, ensuring that each side reflects individual style and needs.
- Great for First-Time Homebuyers: Duplexes provide an opportunity for first-time buyers to enter the market with the added benefit of rental income to help manage mortgage payments.
- Increased Market Appeal: Duplexes attract a wide range of potential buyers or tenants, including families, couples, or individuals seeking multi-generational living arrangements.