446 Union St

This two-storey Edwardian brick residence is a part of a three building cluster – 436, 444 (later renumbered to 438), and 446 Union Street. The house retains its original Flemish bond contrasting brickwork with little decoration.

Built by Adamo Piovesan, a longshoreman from Italy, for his wife, Maria and their four daughters. Located close to the port, this neighbourhood was home to many who worked there from the early years of the city. During the depression years, the family income was supplemented by selling a shot of liquor and a sandwich for 25 cents from the porch. In the 1940, the Piovesan family were followed by William and Nellie Wallace. Wallace ran a transfer business, Wallace Transport, using the brick building at the rear as his distribution centre. Police raids looking for liquor and cash apparently prompted him to hide money in the walls.

In 1905, an application for water connection was submitted but the house was not built for another 25 years. The solid brick masonry is unusual for the time. The decorative, contrasting ochre brickwork of the main facade further enhances the Edwardian flavour. The unusual coved ceilings of the main floor rooms hide bricks that step in to support the floor joists above.

It was later occupied by Brian Dedora, a master picture frame gilder.

The house was a stop on VHF’s 2015 Heritage House Tour.

Source

Sensational Vancouver, A Home with History, and blog entry by Eve Lazarus, Vancouver City Directories, 1891-1940, Vancouver City Hall files, VHF 2015 Heritage House Tour Brochure

More information

http://evelazarus.com/union-street-and-the-2015-vancouver-heritage-house-tour/