Description of Historic Place

The Hardy Residence and Barn property is located mid-block along Oxford Street in Vancouver's Hastings-Sunrise neighbourhood in British Columbia. The site is characterized by its prominent tall house with gabled roof and full-width porch, as well as the vernacular Barn structure at the rear of the property.

Heritage Value

The Hardy Residence and its associated Barn were both constructed between 1911 and 1912; the site is valued for its association with the early residential development of the Hastings Townsite, now the Hastings-Sunrise neighbourhood, at the time of its amalgamation with the City of Vancouver. The property is additionally significant for its association with its original and long-time owners, George and Elizabeth Hardy, as well as for the Edwardian-era vernacular architecture of the house.

Hastings-Sunrise sits on the northern half of the land that the provincial government set aside in 1863 for a new harbour city. Although a port eventually developed further west, a small resort, New Brighton, was established on the shoreline of Hastings-Sunrise, becoming a popular weekend retreat. More significant development began in 1910, when the streetcar was inaugurated along Powell Street and McGill Street, connecting Vancouver to the Race Track and Exhibition Grounds at Hastings Park. Hastings Townsite voted to join the City of Vancouver in 1911, further spurring early growth of the area. Most of the northern half of Hastings-Sunrise was developed for residential use in the 1920s, though some houses were constructed earlier, including the Hardy Residence, which was constructed along Oxford Street between 1911 and 1912, coinciding with amalgamation. The house exists today as one of the oldest remaining residences in the area.

The house was commissioned by local pioneer George Grant Hardy. Arriving in Vancouver in 1885 from his native Prince Edward Island, Hardy was among the City's early residents, predating its incorporation the following year. Hardy was soon recognized as one of the city's leading draymen (delivery men) and was named president of the Draymen's Association in 1902. In 1907, Hardy became the manager of the Merchants' Cartage Co., which utilized horses, wagons, and carriages to deliver goods across the city. In addition to his dray duties, Hardy was a life member of the Vancouver Exhibition Association and was in charge of overseeing the 1912 construction of the new Hastings Park half-mile harness racetrack; he became permanent caretaker of the track that same year. Hardy's involvement with Hastings Park likely influenced his decision to construct his new family home along Oxford Street, located a short distance from the Park itself. As part of his large, double-lot property, Hardy also had a barn constructed behind his home, which housed the horses he used for his delivery business. George remained in the house until his passing in 1935, while his wife Elizabeth remained until 1946. Elizabeth Hardy, also an early Vancouver resident, died in the city in 1949. The Hardy Residence and Barn represents a strong connection to the Hardy family and their contributions to the early twentieth century growth of the city.

The Hardy Residence and Barn site is also valued as a very good example of Edwardian-era vernacular architecture. The two and one-half storey house features a front-gabled roof with full return and full-width front porch. Typical of the Edwardian era, the house features wood-frame construction and finishes that reflect the wood products produced in local sawmills. The height of the house enhances its prominence, allowing occupants to take advantage of the expansive views from its generous windows, some of which feature stained or leaded glass. The vernacular barn at the rear of the property is illustrative of a modest, industrial Edwardian era aesthetic and features narrow lapped siding, cornerboards, and a gabled roof. The property remains a significant example of an Edwardian era homestead in the neighbourhood.

Character-Defining Elements

The elements the define the heritage character of the Hardy Residence are its:

- location on Oxford Street in the Hastings-Sunrise neighbourhood of Vancouver;
- continuous residential use since 1912;
- residential form, scale and massing as expressed by its two and one-half storey height, with entry a half storey above grade, and its cross-gabled roof;
- wood-frame construction, with lapped wood siding and cornerboards;
- Edwardian era architectural features, including: cross-gabled roof with full return on each elevation with closed soffits along the gable edges, projecting flat eaves with carved, exposed raftertails on the returns, each with gable peaks featuring decorative scalloped and square shingles and returned roofs with exposed raftertails; projecting hipped-roof fullwidth front porch with tapered square wooden columns and closed balustrade; off-centre front entryway accessed by wooden stairs; and top storey balcony on the west elevation;
- variety of original wooden frame and sash windows, many with projecting sills, including double hung windows with diamond leaded glass in upper sashes; unadorned doublehung and casement assemblies; paired and tripartite casement assemblies with stained glass transoms featuring various floral patterns; and a central oval stained glass window on the second storey of the front elevation featuring an embellished strapped frame and recessed glass; and
- original entry door assembly with moulded frame, with central glazing flanked by sidelights featuring half-glazing, and other wooden access doors.
- The elements the define the heritage character of the Hardy Barn are its:
- location at the rear of a mid-block property along Oxford Street in the Hastings-Sunrise neighbourhood of Vancouver;
- continuous use since 1912;
- industrial form, scale and massing as expressed by its one and one-half storey height with gabled roof;
- wooden construction with wooden lapped siding and cornerboards; and
- wood frame and sash windows.