Overview
Address
6825 W Boulevard, Vancouver BC
Neighbourhood
Kerrisdale
type
Residential
Protection & Recognition
- M: Municipal Protection
Description
The Twiss residence is one of the last of the large estate-like properties to survive in this part of the former municipality of Point Grey. The house, a large Craftsman style sits close to the front of the property, taking advantage of the geography to provide the original owner fine views out and over the Strait of Georgia.
Built in 1912, this large two-storey Craftsman-style residence is sitting on one of the few remaining large estate-like properties associated with the early residential development of the Point Grey municipality. The house gains its name from its builder and original owner, William James Twiss.
The Twiss Residence has heritage value as a significant example of the Craftsman Style characterized here with large gables, deep eaves, large open knee brackets, a prominent porch on the north and west sides of the house supported on granite piers. It features stained glass windows on the eastern wall, and it sits at the high point of the lot, oriented to take advantage of the views to the west. The house and its substantial property were part of an eight lot subdivision between 51st. and 53rd Avenue, West Boulevard and Arbutus Street.
Advertised as a “residential district of the most desirable class”, Mr. Twiss’ neighbours included W.A. Arnold of Canadian Financiers and the Dominion Trust Company, the Ingledew family and the Spencer Family.
The cultural value of the Twiss Residence is illustrated by the original and long time owner, William James Twiss, a prominent businessman, property developer, military man, Point Grey School Board Trustee, and Alderman for the City of Vancouver. Twiss served as the British Columbia Manager for the Mutual Life of Canada from 1900 until his retirement in the 1940s, and played a prominent role in the bankruptcy of the Dominion Trust Company.
The Twiss Residence was originally listed on the Vancouver Heritage Register as a C-Listing. In 2018 it was re-evaluated as an A-listing and in 2022, it was listed as municipally protected.
Source
City of Vancouver Report 2018
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