Century-old heritage house moved to make room for extension

Century-old Vancouver heritage house moved over A heritage home in Shaugnessy was moved just 14 metres to make room for an extension its new owners have planned.

A century-old Vancouver heritage home was lifted and moved over on Monday as part of a restoration and extension its owners have planned.

The home on Marpole Avenue was shifted just 14 metres in a move that took months of planning and preparation.

Crews had to remove hazardous material and disconnect all the wiring before moving it.

Then they lifted it off where the original foundation was laid, and set it down on steel beams and blocks. Next, crews slid the house backwards. They will then rebuild the foundation and move the house forward, project manager Nick Luksha said.

"Then we're going to add another 10,000 square feet around it," he told CTV News.

"It's a very slow and very methodical task."

The home in Shaughnessy measures 6,000 square feet and weighs about 100 tonnes. A 2013 real estate listing for the address suggested its previous owners were looking for $9.6 million for the house, which sits on a lot of nearly one acre.

"A gated private park-like estate awaits your restoration and development ideas," the listing reads.

"There are many potential development opportunities which might include stratification or subdivision, a multi-conversion dwelling and/or infill housing. Be creative and explore what possibilities this Heritage might offer in development potential!"

The home has been officially vacant for a few years, but was inhabited by squatters part-time. Luksha said the new owners want to "bring it back to its former glory," while adding some space and technological upgrades.

They expect to have it completed in about two years.