487 Helmcken St

Built in 1907 and originally located at 1080 Richards Street, this house was threatened for demolition for many years, until it was finally decided to move it a few doors up the street to make room for condo development.

This wood frame house is a typical example of the type of housing built for the working class population when downtown was a quiet residential area.

The home’s first owner was Joseph Clarke and his business partner Joseph Arthur Perry. As more white-collar jobs were created in the central business district in the early 20th century, young men with their families wanted to live close enough to walk to work or to take the streetcar.

It is among some of the last remaining houses that made up a larger working-class neighbourhood that developed between 1890 and 1910 near the Yaletown rail yards and warehouses. Expanding industry around False Creek attracted manufacturing, warehouses and other services to this area. From the 1920s and onward many houses were replaced. Those that remained were converted to offices, apartments and rooming house.

Source

Historic Places Canada, The Thunderbird article 2007

More information

http://thethunderbird.ca/2007/12/05/historic-townhouse-needs-protection/