Million-dollar tear-downs are nothing new in Vancouver's red hot housing market, but the proposed demolition of a relatively new luxury home assessed at about $7 million has sparked concern from one city councillor.
The 7,300 square-foot home at the centre of the debate is located in Vancouver's upscale Shaughnessy neighbourhood. The home is less than 20 years old and it has been recently renovated.
The homeowners filed an application to demolish the home, which has yet to be approved by city officials.
Vancouver Coun. Adriane Carr says she plans to voice her disapproval for the application, as the house slated for demolition is a "perfectly good home."
"It's just criminal that it should be torn down," Carr told CTV Vancouver. "It's an expensive home, it's a big home, and the fact that it could be torn down and replaced, it goes against everything the city is trying to do to be the greenest city."
News of the proposed demolition comes on the heels of a $2.4-million listing in Vancouver’s swanky Point Grey neighbourhood. The run-down residence, which was built in the 1930s, is expected to fetch even more than its list price.
Carr said it's very common for expensive homes in the city to be torn down and rebuilt, but it contradicts efforts in Vancouver to try to conserve resources and to get onto a path of greater affordability.
"This takes it in exactly the opposite direction," she said.
Carr hopes changes to the city's zoning bylaws prevent similar tear-downs.
