734-742 Jackson Ave

The rowhouse and an attached infill unit later demolished, were constructed in 1906 and occupied by a variety of early immigrant families in Vancouver. It is a simple 2-storey, 5-unit rowhouse typical of turn-of-the-century workers’ rental accommodations.

The design is a rectangular plan with one-storey protrusions on the back for each unit. The roof appears flat and is framed at the top by a “Western” false front. As well, there is a simple decorated mid-level cornice supported by square brackets. The front features separate front doors for each unit with a small plain stoop. The windows are double-hung and set in pairs; the rear windows are singles. In 2016, replica sashes were installed with the assistance of a VHF Restore It grant.

According to the Working Class and Labour History Walking Tour document, “with speculators keeping large tracts of land off the market to keep prices high, by 1911 house prices were 60-150% higher than homes in Winnipeg or Toronto, and rents were 30-70% higher. Private ownership of utilities in Vancouver also meant that weekly family budget for food, fuel and lighting in 1912 was more expensive in Vancouver than any other city in Canada. Residents preferred to call BC Electric Co. “Collectric”.

Source

City of Vancouver, Working Class and Labour History Walking Tour

More information

http://former.vancouver.ca/ctyclerk/cclerk/020723/ph2.htm