Dickens | Modern Duplex

Bold Architecture, Bright Spaces: A Modern Duplex for Contemporary Living

Effortless Style and Smart Design in This Innovative Urban Duplex

Not your typical cookie-cutter duplex.

Unique side-by-side modern duplexes designed by award-winning architect David Nicolay of Evoke International Design. Project managed and built by Averra Developments in 2019.

About

This project boasts an impressive 66 feet of street frontage on a quiet, tree-lined street in East Vancouver, providing both curb appeal and a serene setting. Each residence offers over 1,800 square feet of thoughtfully designed living space, featuring four bedrooms and four bathrooms. The main floors are bright and open, seamlessly connecting the kitchen, dining area, living space, and a spacious family room. These open-concept layouts foster family interaction while maintaining a modern aesthetic.

Custom millwork in the kitchen and family room provides discreet, built-in storage solutions, enhancing the functionality of the space without sacrificing style. The centerpiece of each home is the stunning 13-foot white oak balustrade, hand-crafted by Averra’s Red Seal carpenter, which perfectly matches the flooring and gives the central staircase a striking “WOW” factor that sets the tone for the rest of the home.

Externally, these homes make a bold architectural statement. The windows are framed with black metal surrounds, offering a modern contrast to the vertical cedar siding. The cedar is double-stained with a custom version of Broda’s “Burnt Wood 240 Colour” for enhanced weather protection, ensuring durability without compromising on design. The sloped roof, which allows for efficient water drainage, is also “solar ready,” giving homeowners the option to add sustainable energy solutions in the future.

The backyard spaces are perfectly sized for urban living, providing storage, room for summer entertaining, and grassy areas where children and pets can play. These homes balance the needs of modern families with urban practicality, creating a comfortable and functional outdoor retreat.

Positioned just one block away from the highly sought-after Charles Dickens Elementary School, these residences are ideal for families with young children. The oversized windows face south, ensuring the interiors are flooded with natural light year-round, creating warm and inviting spaces.

Located in the heart of East Vancouver, or “East Van” as the locals call it, these homes are part of the Kensington-Cedar Cottage neighborhood. This culturally diverse area is home to a variety of delicious eateries, craft breweries, and beautiful parks. A short 20-minute walk leads to Trout Lake, an urban lake and park that offers a tranquil escape within the city.

Families living in these homes benefit from being within the Charles Dickens Elementary School catchment, a public school known for its progressive, child-centered approach. The multi-age classroom structure fosters continuous progress, cooperative learning, and leadership opportunities for children aged 5-12, making it a highly coveted school for families in the area.

These modern duplexes seamlessly blend bold design with functional, family-friendly living in one of Vancouver’s most vibrant and desirable neighborhoods.