Quote:
Originally Posted by Architype
In Vancouver split entries are extremely rare, or non existent; to save money here you just build right on grade, with little excavation because there is no frost line to consider. The entrance is on grade or down one step, (a zoning cheat). The stairs are interior with the main living space upstairs. This cheap "Vancouver Special" number in the thousands, and was common in the 70s which maximized the standard 33 ft. narrow lots with rear parking.
This one is a variation with driveways, and sort of a duplex, also rare.
https://goo.gl/maps/6e1pDiJv8Mz |
The Vancouver special may not win any beauty contests, but it's one of the more versatile single family home designs I know. I knew people who rented the top or bottom halves of these homes as separate 3 BR apartments, and I was always amazed at how bright and spacious those units were.
Would I be correct in assuming that there are no load-bearing walls on the second floor of a Vancouver special? I remember seeing 2nd floor Vancouver Special apartments in all sorts of creative space arrangements.
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