Heritage Restoration

Look, restoring old buildings isn't just slapping on some paint and calling it a day. We're talking about breathing life back into structures that've stood for generations, keeping their soul intact while making 'em work for today's world.

Why We're Different

Most restoration firms treat old buildings like museum pieces. We don't. Sure, we respect the history - that's non-negotiable - but we also understand these structures need to actually function in 2025. It's a balancing act, honestly.

Before restoration
BEFORE
After restoration
AFTER

St. Michael's Chapel - Gastown, Vancouver

This one was rough. Built in 1887, the chapel had been sitting empty for nearly 15 years when we got the call. Water damage, crumbling mortar, original stained glass barely hanging on. The owner wanted to convert it into a boutique event space without losing that sacred atmosphere.

Took us 18 months. We salvaged about 70% of the original stonework, reconstructed the bell tower using period-appropriate techniques, and yeah - those stained glass windows? Painstakingly restored every single panel. The space now hosts weddings and community gatherings, and honestly, it feels more alive than it probably has in decades.

Brick restoration work
Stone masonry

Our Restoration Process

There's no cookie-cutter approach here. Every building tells us what it needs, but here's generally how we roll:

1. Assessment & Documentation

We spend weeks just looking, measuring, photographing, testing materials. Sometimes we find surprises - like original frescoes hidden under layers of paint, or structural issues nobody knew about. This phase sets the tone for everything.

2. Historical Research

Digging through archives, old photos, municipal records. We wanna know how the building actually looked and functioned originally. Can't restore something properly if you don't know what you're restoring to, right?

3. Material Matching

This is where it gets technical. We analyze original materials - mortar composition, stone types, wood species, metalwork. Then we either source matching historical materials or custom-create 'em. No modern shortcuts that'll stick out like a sore thumb.

Manor restoration before
BEFORE

Victorian Gothic Manor - West Vancouver

Manor restoration after
AFTER

Victorian Gothic Manor - West Vancouver

The Manor That Almost Wasn't

Built in 1898, this beauty was scheduled for demolition. The city wanted to put up condos. We partnered with a heritage preservation group and convinced the new owners there was another way. The structure was sound but everything else? Total disaster.

Original slate roof was gone, ornamental ironwork was rusted through, the signature turret was literally leaning. We rebuilt the turret using the original plans we found in the BC Archives, commissioned replica ironwork from a blacksmith in Ontario who actually knows traditional techniques, and sourced Welsh slate to match the original roof.

The interior restoration took another year - original hardwood floors refinished, plasterwork repaired and matched, even rebuilt the carved staircase banister. Now it's a boutique hotel, and honestly? Walking through it feels like stepping back to 1898, except with proper heating and Wi-Fi.

The Tough Stuff Nobody Talks About

Heritage restoration isn't all romantic craftsmanship and historical discovery. There's a lot of frustrating, complicated stuff that comes with the territory:

  • Dealing with modern building codes while maintaining historical integrity - yeah, it's a constant negotiation
  • Sourcing materials that don't exist anymore - we've had to recreate manufacturing processes from scratch
  • Working with structures that weren't exactly built to engineering standards - surprises everywhere
  • Budget blowouts when you discover hidden damage - happens more often than we'd like
  • Coordinating with heritage committees, city planners, and preservation societies - lots of paperwork and meetings
Restoration scaffolding
Structural repair Stone carving work

More Restoration Work

Each project's got its own story, its own challenges, its own character

Train station
2023

Central Station Conversion

Turned a 1920s train station into a craft brewery and restaurant. Kept the original ticket booth as the host stand - guests love it.

Stone tower
2024

Lighthouse Keeper's Cottage

Restored a century-old lighthouse cottage on Vancouver Island. Structural reinforcement was intense - coastal weather ain't kind to buildings.

Warehouse building
2024

Gastown Warehouse Lofts

Converted a 1890s warehouse into residential lofts. Exposed the original timber beams and brick - too beautiful to hide behind drywall.

Examining building plans

What We Need From You

If you're thinking about restoring a heritage building, here's what helps us help you:

Any Historical Documentation

Old photos, original plans, previous renovation records - even stories from people who remember the building decades ago. All of it matters.

Honest Budget Expectations

Restoration costs more than new construction - there's no way around it. We'll work within your budget, but we gotta be realistic from the start.

Timeline Flexibility

We always find something unexpected. Could be good, could be bad, but it'll affect the schedule. That's just the nature of working with old buildings.

Clear Vision for End Use

Residential? Commercial? Event space? How you'll use the building shapes every decision we make about systems, accessibility, and interior configuration.

Got a Heritage Building That Needs Some Love?

Let's talk about it. No pressure, no sales pitch - just an honest conversation about what's possible and what it'll take to get there.

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