What is the ‘Vancouver Special’?

Whether you're in Surrey, Burnaby, Nanaimo, or Abbotsford, you'll notice a familiar sight regardless of where you might find yourself in B.C. The locally dubbed 'Vancouver Special' comprises a two-story structure, typically with a front-facing balcony. Let's dive into the history around these historic houses that made their mark in Vancouver's history. 

Draftsman Larry Cudney was the brain behind the original design of the house. Vancouver Specials were initiated in response to an immigration boom in the 1960s when strict zoning laws were enacted. Savvy builders realized that a home's required maximum square footage did not include a basement area, which began the trend of building ground-level floors with an upper living space.

The city also favoured the special because of the quick turnaround time to make, approximately three weeks, as well as permits that cost around $65. Because of the boom of immigrants coming to Vancouver, the special became the blueprint for quick builds because of the low cost. The Vancouver special became the go-to design from the '60s to the mid-1980s. 

The Vancouver Special has become a local cultural icon. It has shaped a vital part of the housing industry that runs deep in every suburban area and reflects the continued evolution of Vancouver from the 1960s to modern times.