Rosenberg Residence

The Rosenberg Residence, now situated at 3650 Hull Street (originally 2088 East 20th Avenue), was built in 1900, making it one of the oldest surviving structures in the Kensington-Cedar Cottage neighbourhood. The building is a simple, wooden, side-gabled structure, characteristic of Gabled Vernacular homes from 1886-1915. This style follows functionality rather than principles of style, as shown by the sparse ornamentation on the exterior, reflecting the working-class and rural identity of the original Epworth township. The symmetrical arrangement of the windows and doors on the front facade reinforces its utilitarian character. Notable architectural details are its wood frame, sash windows, and cedar diamond and scallop-patterned shingles in the gable ends.

The residence was named after the original family, headed by Frederick Alfred Rosenberg, one of Epworth’s first carpenters, and his family of nine. City Council Reports reference old maps of Vancouver and suggest the Rosenbergs may have operated a modest egg or poultry business. As shown in Goad’s Fire Insurance Map, the original parcel of land was unusually large for residential properties in Vancouver, spanning 2 acres. The size of the land parcel suggests it may have functioned as a small farm consisting of basic subsistence operations, which would have been practical for the family’s livelihood, given that the township of ‘Epworth’ was rural and services were scarce in its vicinity. The Rosenburg family lived in the residence until 1911.

In the early decades of the 20th century, Trout Lake (also known historically as Blackie's Lake) served as a recreational activity in the winter months. Most prominently in the winters between 1908 and 1929, the lake was a bustling outdoor ice rink where skaters and spectators could enjoy food and hot drinks from booths.

Around the 1920’s to 1930’s, the generous front yard provided the opportunity for an extension of the house, transforming the vernacular architecture of the building into a Storybook-style that was popular during that time. The original wood siding disappeared under stucco cladding, and the side gables were altered to straight-edged shingles from ornamental shingles. The English Storybook style is exhibited through asymmetrical elements and non-linear forms, as seen in the sloping roof trim, the pitched gable and the off-center doorway.

In 2018, the Vancouver Heritage Commission was tasked to evaluate the Rosenberg Residence's heritage value and determine the best approach to incorporate and commemorate it in a townhouse redevelopment project. The Commission identified the property at 2088 East 20th Avenue as having heritage value due to its structural skeleton and exterior envelope, leading to its inclusion on the Vancouver Heritage Register in the “C” category, as the building contributes to the historic character of the area (this categorization system has since been phased out for more community-centered and equitable heritage approaches). The rezoning application proposed to relocate the heritage building from its original location at 2088 East 20th Avenue to the front of the property at the corner of Hull Street and East 20th Avenue to better showcase the building and to allow for the construction of the new rental townhouses and parking structure. It was also decided that the 1930s Storybook additions would be removed, and the building would be restored to its 1900s form.

The relocation involved replacing the home at 3560 Hull Street, the home of Harry Rankin and the Rankin family, who were important to the political history of Vancouver. The Heritage Commission concluded that the house, constructed in 1946, did not have enough character to warrant retention of the full property; however, they ensured that key 1940s landscape features, specifically the stone walls and gate, were preserved and incorporated into the rehabilitation project of the 1900s home.

Source

Heritage Vancouver Society, City of Vancouver, BC City Directories, Vancouver Sun, Canada's Historic Places