Update: December 20, 2024
The Environmental Development Permit and the Foreshore Development Permit 24-025 for 1768 & 1770 Argyle Avenue (Navvy Jack House) were approved by the Director of Planning, Development and Environment Services on December 19, 2024.
The majority of the concerns received through the public notification process for the development application proposal were related to the programming and operations of the site, access, public safety, parking and traffic and were outside of the scope of the development permit review. Programming and operations of the site (e.g. use, building size, hours of operation, noise etc.) were determined by the lease agreement.
Consideration of the development permit was limited to the application of the watercourse protection and foreshore protection development permit guidelines. The proposal demonstrated compliance with the development permit guidelines and is consistent with Council’s previous approvals to date.
Update: December 16, 2024
The original Navvy Jack House (the House) was built circa 1872 and remains the oldest surviving known building on the North Shore of Burrard Inlet, and one of the oldest in the Province. In 2021, it became obvious that the building was in serious need of restoration if it was to be saved. West Vancouver District Council directed that a feasibility analysis be done on what was required to save the House.
A high-level estimate of $2.6 million to restore the House was developed, and staff were directed to look at scenarios for restoration and operation of the House as a commercial enterprise with minimal financial risk to the District.
Three scenarios were developed:
- Cottage Coffee Scenario (800 square feet based on the perceived size of the original building)
- Bistro Scenario (4,200 sq ft, 800 sq ft ground floor footprint plus 1400 sq ft addition and 2,000 sq ft covered patio)
- Mixed-Use Scenario (2,400 sq ft - 800 sq ft plus a 1,000 sq ft annex connected by a 400 sq ft multi-purpose breezeway
The Navvy Jack Citizen Group (Citizen Group) and the Heritage Advisory Committee were in support of all three scenarios as long as any plan for restoration followed a professionally developed Heritage Conservation Plan (HCP) for the project.
Staff were then directed to see if there was any interest by a commercial operator that would be willing to pay for the capital costs of restoration in return for a long-term lease based on the Bistro Scenario, but no operator was interested at that time. As a result, the Citizen Group proposed, and Council approved proceeding with the Cottage Coffee Scenario whereby the District would provide $1.0 million in funding towards a $2.6 million project and the Citizen Group would fundraise for the balance of the $1.6 million. During the fundraising efforts, a commercial operator approached the District and suggested that if the District was willing to continue to provide $1.0 million in funding, there could be a commercially viable scenario similar to the Bistro Scenario (Enhanced Bistro Scenario) that could be implemented.
As a result, in December 2022, Council redirected staff to issue a Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEOI) to see if there was any interest from commercial operators in an Enhanced Bistro Scenario, to which the District would contribute $1 million in restoration funds and the operator would pay for the balance of the capital costs in return for a long-term lease.
The RFEOI closed in January 2023, and the District subsequently entered into a lease with the successful proponent, Carrera Management Corporation. This lease suggested an 800 sq ft restoration of the House, a 400 to 700 sq ft addition, and a 1000 to 1500 sq ft patio, for a maximum total area of 3000 sq ft. The proposed Enhanced Bistro Scenario design has provided a 1206 sq ft restoration of the House, a 768 sq ft addition, and a 624 sq ft patio, for a total area of 2598 sq ft considerably smaller than the original Bistro Scenario of 4200 sq ft. It includes new washrooms and new kitchen services, as well as full restoration of all portions of the House as mandated by the HCP. The HCP has been created by Don Luxton and Associates and has been approved by Council.
The next step is the issuance of the Environmental Development Permit, and subsequently a Building Permit to complete the project.
Update: October 24, 2024
A building permit to allow the safe lifting and temporary shoring of the existing heritage building to allow structural investigation of the existing framing and existing foundation conditions has been issued. To facilitate this work, selective demolition of non-original parts of the building and bracing of existing portions of walls, floors and roofs is included in the scope of work.
Update: September 17, 2024
Carrera Management Corporation has submitted an application for a Watercourse Development Permit and a Foreshore Development Permit to enable the proposed renovation, restoration and expansion of the Navvy Jack House.
For more information, see the 1768 & 1770 Argyle Avenue development application page.
Update: October 18, 2023
The District has recently entered a lease agreement with Carrera Management Corporation to ensure the future of Navvy Jack House. The lease agreement outlines a three-year window for the completion of the restoration.
Upon the successful completion of the restoration, Carrera Management Corporation will have the opportunity to operate a coffee shop, wine bar, or a combination of both at the restored Navvy Jack House, which will be open to the public.
The operation lease will be for a 25-year term, following which, Carrera Management Corporation will have the option to extend the lease for up to an additional 15 years. At the end of the additional leasing term, Carrera will return the land, including the restored Navvy Jack House, to the District of West Vancouver at no cost.
The terms of the lease outline that Carrera will:
- Pay for all costs related to the restoration of Navvy Jack House that go beyond the District’s contribution of $1,000,000
- Manage all aspects of the restoration of the Navvy Jack House and related processes
- Restoration will take into account the flood control for the site and any mitigation measures recommended by the Coastal Engineer
There is no construction timeline confirmed at this time.
Update: April 4, 2023
On March 27, 2023, Council announced that the District will proceed with a plan to restore the house for use as a waterfront cafe. A restoration partner will be selected to undertake the restoration and operate a coffee shop at the location.
Update: March 8, 2022
On March 7, 2022, Council passed a resolution to allow the Navvy Jack House Citizen Group and other private fundraisers until March 31, 2024, to raise $1.6 million towards a current estimated capital cost of $2.6 million to restore the Navvy Jack House, on the basis the House will be operated as a Cottage Coffee operation at the existing location but raised to address sea level rise.
The House would be restored to its original approximate 800-square-foot footprint. Council decided it is no longer pursuing the possibility of a bistro/restaurant, or a mixed public/private use. Council has reaffirmed its previous commitment to fund up to $1 million from Community Amenity Contributions for the restoration project.
Information boards about the project, including how to donate towards the restoration, will be installed shortly on the fencing around the Navvy Jack House.
Council Report | March 7
Update: September 27, 2021
The Lawson Creek Restoration Project has been cancelled.
The West Vancouver Streamkeeper Society will not be proceeding with the Lawson Creek Restoration Project because additional technical analysis determined that key issues with the design would not achieve the goal of supporting fish habitat.
District staff will not be doing any further work on the Lawson Creek restoration project but will continue work on the Navvy Jack House Restoration Project.
Update: March 8, 2021
Navvy Jack House is the oldest continuously occupied home in the lower mainland, and its history is one of the beginnings of the municipality of West Vancouver and the shared history of First Nations and European settlers. The history of this municipally-owned property was shared in public consultation in 2019. In 2020, Council decided to demolish the building due to its poor condition and high cost of salvaging it. A Citizens' Group formed and requested Council not demolish the house. Council then subsequently deferred the demolition as part of a nine-part resolution that included submitting a grant application and completing a selective deconstruction of the building to allow for heritage assessment and cost estimates for restoration. This report provided an update on actions taken relative to investigating the options for Navvy Jack House, including:
- Heritage – the heritage report confirmed there is significant original material in the house and it can be restored successfully
- Creek Restoration – for many years, Streamkeepers have been committed to performing a stream restoration at the site. Staff will work with Streamkeepers on a detailed design, for implementation in 2022
- First Nations Engagement – this will be a fundamental part of the project
- Use of the House – Staff will conduct a feasibility analysis to explore uses of the house, including commercial, so as to not be a burden to the taxpayer
- Fundraising – In October 2020, the District applied for a grant under the Community Economic Recovery Infrastructure Program. On February 22, the District was advised that the grant application was unsuccessful. The Citizens' Group is pursuing private fundraising.
Council resolved that:
1. In order to facilitate private fundraising, the matching amount to a maximum financial contribution of up to $1 million from the Community Amenity Contribution Fund referenced in part 5 of the October 5, 2020, Council Resolution, also apply to funds raised by the Navvy Jack House citizen group and any other privately raised funds for the purpose of conserving and repurposing the Navvy Jack House;
2. Staff work together with the West Vancouver Streamkeepers Society to start detailed design now in 2021 on the creek restoration project based generally on Option 1 as presented by the West Vancouver Streamkeepers Society and as explained in the March 2, 2021, Council Report titled Navvy Jack House Update with completion of the creek restoration project in 2022;
3. The District proceed with a feasibility analysis (considering factors such as size, siting, access, integration with John Lawson Park and the Spirit Trail, cost, funding sources, rent revenue and commercial interest) based on a full time commercial use (food and beverage establishment) for the House, for two scenarios:
a. a smaller ground floor footprint based generally on the original form (approx. 800 to 1,000 sf); and
b. a larger ground floor footprint based on the original form plus an approximate 1,400 sf addition; and a third scenario suggested by the citizen group of a coffee shop and gift shop area (approx. 800 sf) that could also be used for multi-use purposes (including: heritage exhibit space, local art/craft sales, education, concerts, etc), with a 1,000 sf annex building to the north connected by a breezeway of approx. 400 sf;
4. Staff engage with Musqueam Indian Band, Squamish Nation and Tsleil Waututh Nation on both the creek restoration project and the House, including discussions about potential uses, and how to commemorate the historical and cultural significance of the Navvy Jack site, and report back on the progress of the discussions; and
5. Staff report back by July 2021 to provide Council with the information necessary to determine: use, size, siting, funding and other key project elements relating to the House; and design, cost, funding and other information necessary to plan for completion of the creek restoration project in 2022.
Read the full Council report (March 8, 2021)
Update: November 27, 2020
The District is conducting further work to determine the cost of restoring and relocating the house. This work will include deconstruction and removal of hazardous materials by a certified contractor, and will take place around November to December 2020.
Next steps include:
- legally protecting the building via a Heritage Designation Bylaw
- working with the Navvy Jack House citizen group to advance the project
- engaging with First Nations on the appropriate commemoration of the house and site
- planning for the restoration of Lawson Creek Funding A grant application has been submitted to Heritage BC and an overall funding strategy will be required.
Council has allocated up to $1 million in matching funds from Community Amenity Contributions, and private fundraising is also being organized.
Update: November 13, 2020
The October 5 Council Resolution is set out below in italics, together with the Staff comments on each part of the resolution.
1. the demolition order for Navvy Jack House be rescinded
This has been done and clearly recorded in the District’s Council Minutes.
2. that Council allocate up to $150,000 from the Community Amenity Contribution Fund to determine the feasibility and cost of restoring and relocating the Navvy Jack House; and
staff report back to Council with an update regarding the feasibility and cost of restoring and relocating the Navvy Jack House as soon as possible
The $150,000 allocation has been recorded. Staff have engaged a third-party construction company and will be working with a heritage consultant on the process of determining feasibility and costing. The first steps are to commence hazmat remediation, and then begin to deconstruct generally to the 1907 form (possibly with the addition of the upstairs dormer area) taking into account the recommendations of the heritage consultant. This physical deconstruction will provide the District with the ability to more accurately inspect and assess the integrity of the physical structure, understand better the implications of moving the structure, and obtain more precise costing for restoring and relocating the Navvy Jack House (“the House”).
It is anticipated that the hazmat remediation and deconstruction will be completed around the end of 2020, which would enable more detailed costing to be obtained during January 2021.
3. that staff work toward legally protecting the Navvy Jack House via a heritage designation bylaw
The District is working with a heritage consultant on identifying the elements to be incorporated into the heritage designation bylaw, including the character-defining elements, location, etc. This work will also be informed by the information to be obtained during the deconstruction process, and so some of the work on the bylaw will take place after January 2021.
4. a District staff member be identified to work with the Navvy Jack House Citizen Group to complete a Heritage BC (CERIP) application by October 29, 2020, which envisions a flexible multi-use facility for public benefit, with a potential commercial element so as to not create a revenue deficit for the District
The Deputy CAO has been assigned to this Council priority project. The CERIP grant application was submitted on October 29, 2020, before the application deadline. The CERIP materials provide that “Successful applicants will be contacted in January 2021” and that “All funds will be paid out by March 31, 2021”.
5. a matching amount to a maximum financial contribution of up to $1 million be allocated from the Community Amenity Contribution Fund toward the costs of conserving and repurposing the Navvy Jack House pending a successful CERIP grant application, recognizing that an overall funding strategy will be required to cover all project costs
An allocation of up to $1 million has been recorded in the Community Amenity Contribution Fund, which as stated above, is contingent on a matching amount, and is pending a successful CERIP grant application. As mentioned above, the results of the CERIP grant application will be available by January 2021. Staff understand that the Navvy Jack House citizen group is considering the next steps with respect to fundraising for the Project.
6. Staff develop a plan to respectfully and meaningfully engage with First Nations regarding their connection to Navvy Jack House, including archeological considerations
Staff will be setting up meetings with First Nations shortly to engage with them on matters such as commemoration, restoration, and also to begin the process of referrals to understand potential archaeological considerations when conducting excavation. Understandably, this important work can take some time and needs to be built into the overall Project timeline.
7. Staff identify the optimal structure, including terms of reference, for how to best work with the citizen group to move the project forward, and report back to Council by November 30, 2020, and
Staff have been working closely and collaboratively with representatives of the Navvy Jack House citizen group. Staff intend to meet with the representatives on a monthly basis, and as needed, in order to provide material updates. Due to the significance of the information to be received during January 2021, and the need to focus on that important work, the detailed structure including terms of reference, will be started after January 2021.
8. the Navvy Jack House be either relocated or removed, subject to the underlying condition and movability of the 1907 form, prior to the anticipated start date of the Lawson Creek Restoration Project in order to ensure that the Project can proceed as intended; and
Much of this will be informed by the results of the work to be obtained by January 2021. With respect to the Lawson Creek Restoration Project, Staff are meeting with representatives of the West Vancouver Streamkeepers Society now to understand more details about the concept, future design, potential permitting requirements from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, cost, funding and overall timeline. This information will also be reported out after January together with the costing and restoration information.
9. staff prepare a brief report by November 30, 2020, outlining the impact of this project on Council’s identified goals and objectives, including what Council goals and objectives will have to be removed to accommodate this project.
As demonstrated above, substantial progress has been made on the Project in a very short period of time.
It should be noted that pivoting from a demolition project to a restoration project and adding Navvy Jack House to Council’s Strategic Objectives, and to the District’s work plan, is significant and has implications.
The Navvy Jack House Project, due to its unanticipated nature, high priority, high profile, public engagement with the citizen group and others, and tight deadlines, has already impacted the pace of District projects.
As we gain more detailed information during the beginning of 2021, we will be able to more precisely state the impacts on other projects.
Read the full Report to Council (Nov 16, 2020, Council Meeting)
Update: October 6, 2020
Navvy Jack House is the oldest continuously occupied home in the lower mainland, and its history is one of the beginnings of the municipality of West Vancouver and the shared history of First Nations and European settlers. The history of this municipally-owned property was shared in public consultation in 2019. Earlier this year, Council decided to demolish the building—due to the poor condition of the home and the high cost of salvaging it—and to proceed with a commemoration of the site and history in consultation with First Nations.
Subsequently, Council deferred the demolition order to allow the Navvy Jack House Citizen Group to submit a report to Council with a proposal for preserving the house. District staff then reviewed the citizen report and balanced the recommendations against existing District resources and Council priorities.
Given the existing budget and work plan, staff were obligated to recommend demolition, but acknowledge that it is Council’s decision to consider changes to their strategic objectives and major project priorities to accommodate a project to preserve Navvy Jack House.
Council Report, including Citizen's Group Report
Council then proposed a new resolution that will allow time to take steps to qualify for grant funding to support the preservation of the house, while continuing to work with stakeholders to determine the final use of the house, and amending Council's Strategic Goals and Objectives to allocate resources to the project.
The resolution (unadopted) is in nine parts. That:
- the demolition order for Navvy Jack House be rescinded
- that Council allocate up to $150K from the Community Amenity Contribution Fund to determine the feasibility and cost of restoring and relocating the Navvy Jack House as soon as possible
- that staff work toward legally protecting the Navvy Jack House via a heritage designation bylaw
- a District staff member be identified to work with the Navvy Jack House Citizen Group to complete a Heritage BC (CERIP) application by October 29, 2020, which envisions a flexible multi-use facility for public benefit, with a potential commercial element so as to not create a revenue deficit for the District of West Vancouver
- a matching amount to a maximum financial contribution of up to $1 Million be allocated from the Community Amenity Contribution Fund towards the costs of conserving and repurposing the Navvy Jack House pending a successful CEIRP grant application, recognizing that an overall funding strategy will be required to cover all project costs
- Staff develop a plan to respectfully and meaningfully engage with First Nations regarding their connection to Navvy Jack House, including archeological considerations
- Staff identify the optimal structure for an advisory body, including terms of reference, for how to best work with the citizen group to move the project forward, and report back to Council by November 30, 2020, and
- the Navvy Jack House be either relocated or removed, subject to the underlying condition and movability of the 1907 form, prior to the anticipated start date of the Lawson Creek Restoration Project in order to ensure that the project can proceed as intended; and
- staff prepare a brief report by November 30, 2020, outlining the impact of this project on Council’s identified goals and objectives, including what Council goals and objectives will have to be removed to accommodate this project.
Update: July 20, 2020
Council received the report on community engagement for the proposed Navvy Jack Nature Centre on July 20, 2020.
Report to Council: Navvy Jack Nature Centre – Community Consultation Results
At their July 20, 2020 regular meeting, Council passed the following resolution:
THAT
- the District postpone the demolition of Navvy Jack House in order to allow a group of interested members of the public to consider and provide additional information by September 14, 2020 to Council for the District’s consideration including the group’s views on:
- whether a portion of the house should be preserved, and, if so, what portion;
- how the preserved portion of the house could be used for the public’s benefit;
- where the preserved portion of the house should be located;
- what would be the estimated cost of reducing the building to its desired form, raising and/or moving it;
- what would be the capital and annual operating costs for the proposal; and
- how much of the costs can be fundraised; and
- A staff representative be designated to answer questions or requests for information from the group with respect to the above.
Update: June 22, 2020
At their June 22, 2020 special (closed) meeting, Council:
- resolved to not proceed with the nature centre concept proposed for Navvy Jack House and to deconstruct the House due to its poor condition, high restoration or renovation cost, and the demonstrable lack of public support for expending additional public resources for maintaining and renovating the House;
- directed staff to continue to explore other opportunities for a nature centre and/or nature centre programming as they arise; and
- directed staff to work with the West Vancouver Streamkeeper Society on their proposal to enhance Lawson Creek adjacent to the Navvy Jack House.
