The Heritage Dilemma: Uytae Lee's Stories About Here

In the past couple decades, many cities across Canada have preserved entire neighbourhoods for their historical value - often referred to as ‘heritage conservation districts’. We think cities should feel much more conflicted about this.
‘Stories About Here’ explores the urban planning challenges that communities across Canada face today. In each episode we dig into the often overlooked issues in our own backyards - whether it’s the shortage of public bathrooms, sewage leaking into the water, or the bureaucratic roots of the housing crisis. Through it all, we hope to inspire people to become better informed and engaged members of their communities.
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[@alexburke2287]

Uytae Lee is one of our city's finest citizens

[@khalidbowe4865]

truly. Love from Toronto Uytae🙌🏾

[@jessekaufman5653]

He honestly is!

[@danielclarkearchitect]

I'll second that. This is probably his most thoughtful piece yet.

[@SupaCurry]

Heritage buildings should be visible to the public for admiration and learning… not behind giant iron/rock walls in my personal opinion.

[@tanishqsagar3440]

The idea of preserving old mansions on huge, wasteful lots is so bizarre. As Uytae said, these laws preserve the rich, exclusionary characteristics of the neighbourhood, which is a complete waste in a city like Vancouver imo

[@TM-100]

The mansions should be opened up to communal uses like libraries, universities, etc

[@NGCS-ej4lz]

@@tanishqsagar3440 Canada has no shortage of space, saying otherwise shows a ulterior agenda. One that is militant and unwanted immigrant in nature (no doubt).

[@xpo1220]

I can see the heritage buildings being used for group homes for disabled people.

[@justanawkwardnerd]

@@TM-100 That sounds amazing! I was thinking a museum, especially museums on the history of the house, the area, the architectural style, etc.

[@danielt1985]

Absolutely essential comparison between shaughnessy and hogans alley.

[@stupidhead04154]

Brilliant thinking, shooting, writing, editing & presenting. Dear CBC, could Uytae please be added to The National doc contributor staff? And given a bi-weekly or monthly doc slot? He deserves the largest audience possible!

[@DAMfoxygrampa]

I second this

[@aerob1033]

A few blocks from me, there are several projects where they moved the original, historic house to the front of the lot, repaired it back to its original appearance, then built four three-storey townhouses behind it. I think the "save the building, but utilize the lot" approach is great here. Ideally in high-value situations you'd get more than just a few townhouses out of it, but I think this approach can work with almost any height of building.

[@FuzzyKittenBoots]

How do they do that with houses with basements though?

[@aerob1033]

@@FuzzyKittenBoots I assume you'd rip everything out from the old basement and excavate/fill as needed. In the case of the most recent example of this being done near me, the old house was moved onto a totally new foundation.

[@FuzzyKittenBoots]

@@aerob1033 So… part of the houses are just being erased? I get the need to move them but it’s kind of sad

[@aerob1033]

@@FuzzyKittenBoots I'm sure you could preserve the materials and rebuild it in its new location if it was architecturally/historically significant stuff. Pretty rare for basements to be more than a plain, functional space though, right?

[@FuzzyKittenBoots]

@@aerob1033 I don't live in Canada so I'm sure it could be true there? I live in Europe though and I would absolutely consider the basement as an important part of history precisely because of it's functions. Not only will you find food storage that just doesn't exist in modern houses but in many older houses this is where the original kitchen would have been as well as the sleeping space for servants.

[@jgraham9123]

I’ve been following Uytae since he was making videos in Halifax. He is making some of the best content coming out of the CBC. I hope they continue to give him great opportunities and compensate him for his talents!

[@freddyjisp9420]

He tries too hard and it's obvious he's a failed actor. He's made what could be a watchable video needlessly annoying, so therefore unwatchable. What he needs is direction. His style is not suited for the material. It's typical CBC - so unwatchable - as apparently we're all stupid.

[@JonathanBrownGilbert]

Agree 100%! I'd love to see him do videos about Toronto. Or work with a local Torontonian to develop similar content!

[@vicariouswitness]

Probably better choices.

[@stevedonaghey6436]

Bravo! Probably your most timely and well-versed episode yet. This is such an important and contentious subject, and you explained it thoroughly and from a profoundly neutral perspective. Personally, I think this strikes at the heart of our economic disparity in Vancouver, and many places like it. It's definitely time to re-think our zoning policies and community values as we move through the housing crisis. As you put it, 'who are we preserving these lands for?' Does it serve the greater good of the community? How can we compromise on historical preservation while also serving the modern and future needs of the community?

[@stephenletts4942]

A simple solution is a ward system- let go of party politics, and low civic election turnouts. the city of Vancouver is all about protecting real-estate value and protecting interest of nimbyism.

[@user-ll4mr7xi6l]

The university women's club in that area is a great example of maintaining the architecture and heritage without excluding the community. These beautiful buildings would make great galleries, museums, coffee and local specialty shops... They could be enjoyed by all while still preserving the aesthetics

[@gredfeorge912]

This is a really good video. I go on walks through Shaughnessy and am always suprised that there are almost to people on the streets while neighbourhoods close by are bustling. It really feels exclusive walking along next to big mansions, yacht parked in their driveway and giant hedges protecting the house from outside views. The benefit of protection should come at the expense of accessibility for the public!

[@nj4jd]

I love that the underlying theme of these videos is always that the buildings and infrastructure should always be in service to democratic ideals of the service and betterment of all people. It's really moving. Whenever I cross the Hogan's alley overpass from the station, I wonder if Jimi Hendrix walked the same steps from on route to visit his beloved grandmother.

[@jbay088]

Great video. Heritage areas like first shaughnessy can create value not only for their owners -- they are a delight to walk or bike through! But big hedges and other anti-visitor measures take away the value to the public that makes it worth the opportunity cost of protecting them. What does the public get in exchange for offering those protections? Perhaps some of those private gardens should become public for visitors, like at Government House in Victoria. Perhaps the houses should have signboards in front explaining the history and architecture, with photographs of the interior. Perhaps they should be open a few days a year for public tours.

[@CeritaFandaVancouver]

I'm a big fan of the heritage homes and Uytae Lee who always brings in compelling perspectives and open minded narration.

[@brotherboe]

I could see Uytae delivering a really powerful TED Talk one day.

[@JonathanBrownGilbert]

God bless Uytae Lee. Keep this series going, and bring him to Toronto!

[@richardmanning6488]

I love learning about the history and architecture of the city.

[@williamowen4706]

Re: the bit about how to preserve a row of businesses that represent a community in a growing neighbourhood: Victoria came up with an ingenious solution to that in the recent Harris Green redevelopment - basically they had a two stage development, the first on the site of an out-of-business car dealership, the second at a mall that’s important to the community two blocks away. The city let the mixed-use building at the car dealership get built first, and required that all the businesses be moved from the mall into the first stage of the development before the second stage could begin construction. This obviously won’t work everywhere - Victoria kinda got lucky. But it’ll be able to preserve the intangible heritage of places like Market On Yates, and even keep a lot of the tangible neon signs they’re known for.

[@ESmyth-nu7ug]

I'm a diehard heritage advocate in Toronto... but I always tell my peers... "there is a fine line, between progress and preservation."

[@shavake]

Uytae is the shining gem of cbc

[@Wpdhsx]

The Canada post building that is being renovated in Vancouver is a great example of old and new

[@divjotchahar719]

New Westminster has an intersting aproach where any building above 100 years of age becomes a heritage building, an example is a normal housr in queensborough which was bought by a developer and completely renovated (they even added an entire floor beneat it) standing along beside a couple dozen townhouses. Dont know if this is the best approach but certainly an approach

[@iwilltrytotry]

historians would go on to describe this as "an approach".

[@jasonriddell]

saw a vid in London UK where there heritage listed properties they will build out MULTI STORY basements and NOT touch the outside of the property expensive exclusive houses being made far MORE expensive and exclusive OR being "upgraded" for MODERN family uses - take your pick

[@booooooooooooooooooooooo]

Do it like New York, put the original house on top of the new condo building as a penthouse 😂

[@jasonriddell]

the UK around London there are a LOT of "mansions" converted into apartment blocks so 100% heritage save AND housing units increased AND cool heritage housing units that rent for a premium

[@ElenasAwesomechannel]

Really enjoy Uytae Lee's videos and always look forward to seeing them in my subscription feed! Keep them coming

[@stuartwilliam6010]

Those houses on Pacific Street weren’t protected, rather they were relocated to their present day location, after their original lots were sold for development. 💯

[@ronvandereerden4714]

The closing shot is a perfect example of how poor Vancouver's urban fabric is. We've relied on natural beauty but have so few good urban spaces. Sure you can sometimes find a bench to eat you bahn mi. Mostly you won't. And then you sit in the noise and stench hoping not to get creamed by a car that's lost control. But good video.

[@Simqer]

I think the only part of Shaughnessy that needs to be protected are those magnificent trees.

[@freezerlunik]

Heritage areas are kind of like parks. UNLIKE PARKS, though, the surrounding city shouldn't be subsidizing the affluent owners of the heritage properties if said "heritage" isn't accessible and usable by the public. So if it's a heritage mansion-turned-wedding and performance venue? Sure, sweet, let the city subsidize the taxes. For the other heritage buildings, let the 4.5 people per acre pay the same municipal taxes as the opportunity cost of a potential tax base of 450 people living in a multi-family building that could have otherwise been constructed and contributing. I'm not a georgist by a far margin, but higher density and commercial parts of cities should not be subsidizing the suburbanites or mansion-dwellers.

[@jasonriddell]

EX ones that are in such PRIME locations imagine a FEW of those houses being replaced with row homes and mid rise towers and keeping some of the park like setting yet so close to such a bustling neighbourhood

[@freezerlunik]

@@jasonriddell well, it's usually a hit against the overall heritage if you stick a modern development in an otherwise historically-correct, amd consistent environment. If it's done very judiciously, and to replace the less-valuable property, IMO that's the ticket. Vancouver should be redeveloping its glut of the "Vancouver specials" before demolishing any of the older structures, IMO.

[@justindcook9]

@@freezerlunik Very few of the neighbourhoods where the Vancouver special is prolific are as amenity and transit rich as Shaughnessy. While zoning absolutely needs to change across the entirety of the City, the sheer scale of how low-density Shaughnessy is, solely due to exclusionary policy, is an affront to the hundreds of thousands of people experiencing housing insecurity in Metro Vancouver.

[@freezerlunik]

@@justindcook9 why not build amenities while building density while preserving heritage? By your logic every heritage rich neighborhood will just happen to be in a prime location rich with amenities. End state with heritage+density+new amenities seems like a better overall value than density on top of incumbent amenities and heritage gone.

[@justindcook9]

@@freezerlunik It's hardly "heritage" if any of the heritage value is stuck behind gates and tall hedges. I am perfectly fine with seeing heritage aspects of important sites preserved while density is allowed to also flourish. The preservation of heritage ought to be focused on the educational aspects of communicating the cultural and historical significance of a site on to future generations. A neighbourhood like Shaughnessy being designated as heritage because "it was created for rich people and they spent a lot of money on their homes" is a terrible rationale for a heritage designation. I am all game for converting the existing buildings into multi-family buildings and allowing for additions and other methods of densification. Where particularly heritage rich amenities exist in an individual property, those aspects can be conserved while still allowing for added density and change over time.

[@dallasgrful]

As always, great film!

[@user-uo8zt4mr9u]

What a piece of art. What a great and astonishing episode of cbc

[@RobysaurusRex]

I used to run through these neighbourhoods and thought they were so beautiful at first, but after some time I started to feel really resentful about all these empty mansions on massive pieces of land while I live crammed in a 2 bedroom apartment with 4 people just so we can afford the rent. The wealth inequality is really on display here. It makes no sense to have a handful of people taking up this much space in an area so close to downtown Vancouver when there is a massive housing shortage. Why can't they turn these huge houses into multi unit apartments where many families can live? We could keep the charm of the neighbourhood and increase the amount of people that can live in Vancouver. Thank you for creating this video! I see a lot of your videos address these local issues in Vancouver that I often think about when I go for runs, and it is nice to know a lot of us are thinking the same thing.

[@joshuataylor3550]

Similar experience here.

[@NatGreenOnline]

I really enjoy watching all your videos. Very well thought out and put together.

[@jordanmcgrory2171]

In the UK the "building listing" system can protect just a single aspect of a building. In Glasgow there's a beautiful block of apartments which you enter through the frontage of an old art deco cinema. The frontage was protected and stayed. TThe building as suchg was not.

[@jasonriddell]

Melbourne Australia they "save" the facade and build a NEW building out of the OLD one leaving the front of the original structure

[@KortezRisma]

Another great video by Uytae

[@PetersonRyan97]

My favourite example of good use of heritage buildings in Vancouver is when they are repurposed for public use. Such as using old houses as a restaurant in the case of Mangia Cucina and Bar on Manitoba street, or Mount Pleasant Vintage and Provisions on the same block.

[@kjoto]

Uytae Lee I LOVE your videos. They are so well done and so interesting. Thank you!!

[@julienceaser]

Thank you for including Halifax in this video... it is one of the oldest Canadian cites and has done a decent job keeping it's heritage all things considered. Though we may be about to loose a very unique building located at what is known as Pizza Corner. 1545 Grafton st. which has been the home of the Black Market Boutique for the last 30 years is for sale and many fear it will be sold to a developer who's only intention would be to tear down and rebuild. It was considered Heritage in 2019 but was out voted. Shame since it's unlike any building in halifax, modelled after Italian architecture, is 125 years old and was build by Michael Keefe.. Halifax's 31 Mayor after he finished his term. If any building in Halifax deserves to be Heritage that one does. Thanks for shedding light on the subject. I'm sure your videos have an impact.. it's just a shame that many with the power to demolish heritage don't value them. Only the $

[@Zm4rf]

I keep finding Uytae videos and I love it

[@ChickenChopper1]

This is the best show the CBC produces

[@jacktopolewski7519]

As someone who walks through shaunessy down to Hogans alley multiple times a week I both agree and disagree. When I walk through shaunessy I feel like I’m back in Vancouver in the 1900s. It’s the only part of the city relatively untouched throughout the crazy development that’s happened and perhaps that’s the heritage. I do wish there was a way to revitalize the neighbourhood and make it more publicly accessible but the reality is those properties are like anchors. They’re heritage buildings, they are some of the most sought after real estate on the planet, and they are worth an insane amount of money. One of the ones they showed multiple times just sold last month for $24M!!! Unless the city (tax payers) buy them all back at market price (billions) I can’t see shaunessy changing in my lifetime. As a resident of east falsecreek I’m excited to see the viaducts come down, a new neighbourhood built that pays homage to hogans alley, and a new COVERED skate park get built.

[@charonstormborn8998]

I really enjoy the content with Uytae Lee. It’s really well thought out, informative content.

[@justindcook9]

Heritage is defined as "features belonging to the culture of a particular society, such as traditions, languages, or buildings, that were created in the past and still have historical importance." Towards this definition, heritage is only viable where there is express programming and educational aspects of a designated place that can impart the historically cultural importance of that place. Neighbourhoods like Shaughnessy, where heritage designation is applied on a community wide scale and without any form of historical or cultural curation to impart visitors with an appreciation of the place's importance are solely an effort to codify exclusivity. Neighbourhoods excluded from development pressure under the scope of heritage should operate like museums to maintain their designation. Anything short of having continual tours through every house in Shaughnessy means the homes are failing to serve as a societal connection to the supposed heritage they may hold. Heritage designations also should not exclude the possibility of growth and change. While facadism (building a new building while preserving only the outer appearance) can provide a look and feel of the past, it is often skin deep and lacks the historical/cultural curation to provide the educational aspects that can impart future generations of it's importance.

[@brendanjohnstone4493]

A great example of heritage preservation is what is done in Victoria where old Victorian homes are turned into multiplex mini apartment buildings. I live in a heritage home in Queen’ Park, and this neighbourhood is incredible and needs to be preserved, but many houses in it need to start expanding their density through renovations to justify keeping them around. Nobody needs a mansion.

[@MyFavouriteStation]

My first apt in 1997 or so, was a basement suite of a old home on 7th & Ash in Vancouver. The house still stands, and the landlord Robin who ran his hair salon on the main floor, I believe is still operating there to this day. Next door to us was a dilapidated home the paper once called, "one of Vancouver's most haunted houses" (it kind of looked like the Bates motel). Just before I moved in, the owner had passed away. Robin kept a picture of him in the salon, and semi-toothless, axe-weilding man (not joking, he's holding a little hatchet in that pic!). Robin really liked him :) The ghost-house next door was in shambles, but because of Heritage Laws, the development of it was a fantastic production, which I think took several years to complete; removing everything but the foundation, blasting the land, moving it over on the lot, rebuilding it, then moving the house back to its original position on the same lot (actual explosions on the other side of my bedroom's normally charming, stain-glassed windows). But they saved the dilapidated house. Today it operates as a lovely coffee shop, and sometimes I go and sit on the upper patio and enjoy the view of my first apt, which also still remains today. We desperately need to save these treasures. THEY ARE OUR STORIES.

[@-pris-p.3981]

Yup, I know which one it is. I visit that coffee shop a lot. The food isn't so great but the heritage home vibe draws me back everytime, especially during Christmas.

[@jessedavidge2068]

Great video. Loved in vancouver for over 10 years and never heard of first Shaugnesy Thanks for the education!

[@jasonriddell]

I think I was in that area once in my life delivering a hot tub and did NOT know what it was called OR its history AND not sure that is where I was clearly the "exclusive" part still works to this day as we both did NOT know about that area

[@w.g.hunter1300]

I always thought the infamous "creme de la creme" quote came from a resident of Kerrisdale

[@Alasdair37448]

What a great video and I totally agree the whole point of preserving a heritage site is to make the history of this place accessible to everyone to come and learn about the history of the city if its not available to the public then its not fulfilling the purpose of a heritage site and doesn't deserve protection.

[@vitor900000]

On my country when a building is given the preservation status things goes one of 2 ways: Its well preserved and taken care of. Its left to rot so when it naturally comes down the land is free for use. Some owners sabotage the building to accelerate the process but it usually still takes decades. The best way to deal with a building that runs the risk of be given the preservation status that you really want to bring down no matter what is usually to not ask permission. Just bring it down. Yes, you will still have to deal with some legal troubles, but its to a much lesser degree since they can not give preservation status to a building that is already down, so in many places the worst they can do is usually give you a fine for not asking first. Do a local lawyer consultation before taking any action. Every country/place have different laws. To me the idea of not being able to do what you want with your own land is absurd. There is no justification for that.

[@harpreetsahota2984]

Can you run for mayor please Uytae???

[@vokasimid5330]

Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion sounds more fitting

[@flare2000x]

Every about here video makes me want to move back to Vancouver. Love Utayes journalism

[@wendytube007]

Outstanding as usual these exposes remind me of Market Place and The National back in its heyday during the 80s and 90s real hard questions being asked with no easy answers.

[@stewarts8597]

A Great story thats make so much sense

[@josephchou3764]

Great video! I like the way you showcase your stories from both sides of the perspectives. Keep up the good work!

[@mustbeaweful2504]

Perhaps a requirement of a heritage building is that only the city can own it. Anyone living inside are either renters, lanscapers, maintenance workers, or tour guides. I think that would prevent the title from being abused

[@Xanman2000]

Incredibly well communicated 👏🏽 another banger for Uytae

[@Marco-fn6kg]

This is the only content i watch on CBC well done another good video

[@andrewjensen8189]

Such a good video. Very well put and very interesting topic

[@maggie2244]

Excellent analysis, I love what you’re doing.

[@test40323]

Thoughtful discussion!

[@kelonnasmir9320]

Another great video!

[@Juan-fv4sg]

one of your best videos

[@joehelblanca9770]

I think they should build a 20 story tower in the center of the circle park. I used to live a few blocks away in a townhouse. Lovely place to run, barely saw any one living there. Most of those giant houses have maybe 4 people living there. Time for Premier Eby to change the zoning in First Shaunessy. 😊

[@Ben-jq5oo]

So the Arts and Crafts house is now falling into disrepair. Owners have moved out in frustration, boarded the windows, presumably disconnected the utilities but still paying the city rates. Maybe getting the lawn mown regularly to appease the neighbours. This leaves a heritage property which no one but the heritage committee wants. No buyer will take it because they will also want to demolish the house. I have seen heritage listed property lie empty for years as the weeds gradually take over. Where to from here?

[@drumnbasskim]

Well said 👏👏

[@djayjp]

The difference in the Philippino and Vietnamese shops examples is that the buildings themselves aren't special, the culture and cuisine is and that will be preserved beyond the life of some generic buildings.

[@jasonriddell]

the "crystal mall" in Burnaby is a MODERN recreation of those stores in a more "approachable" format

[@IanForsythWestCoast]

I have to agree, although I’m not familiar with the history and age of the Joyce area strip, my guess would be that those Filipino businesses were an opportunity for recent arrivals to establish themselves, creating an organic neighbourhood retail strip that served those living there. This is a story repeated over and over in Vancouver since its incorporation in 1886; Chinatown, The Greek Village (Kits), Little Italy, (Hastings), Little India (South Main), Little Vietnam (Kingsway) Little Japan (Powell) Hogan’s Alley, and several others. Many of these have survived and thrived because of their relative size and built environment. Chinatown is protected not just because of its history and importance, but also because of the unique design and development of many of the buildings. We can see and experience what we are wanting to preserve. That’s certainly not the case with the buildings by Joyce Station. These are generic storefronts that are unique because of the activity and businesses they house. What would we protect here? No case to be made for the buildings, and mandating what kind of businesses can operate there would be really shaky ground and ultimately unsuccessful because communities are organic and always changing, and having covenants such as use placed on these buildings.....well I think you see where I’m going here. There’s not enough there, there. And if the community is resilient and wants these businesses to continue to operate, then they will be supported when they change locations. The case to be made for preserving Shaughnessy, particularly First Shaughnessy is that once it’s gone, it’s gone. Class and privilege aside, Shaughnessy is a pretty big chapter in Vancouver’s short history, the reasons why it was built, how, and who was behind the development could fill a book. The fact that although from the time it was built until 1929: it wasn’t even in the City of Vancouver, but a separate municipality, leading to many of it historic anomalies. The neighbourhood has already been saved a couple of times, in the 30s and later in the 60s and 70s, nobody could afford these big houses, and many were rooming houses, or left to fall apart. I completely disagree with discouraging visitors and such, not just because it’s exclusionary, but because the collective “we” through our elected government is why they still exist. I spend a lot of time walking through Shaughnessy and many other Vancouver neighbourhoods, photographing and documenting those that, for many historic reasons, survived to today with much of their original history and development intact. There are so many spots all over Vancouver, wealthy areas, once wealthy areas, middle class, lower class, working class, all different kinds of housing with histories and stories just as important, perhaps even more so than Shaughnessy, where one can see this happening. I think in the past, there was little second thought when buying a property with an older home or building on it, knocking it down was the first and only thought. I’m a little hopeful today that maybe new owners, whether through local legislation, or simply more knowledge and awareness, will have a second thought as to how and why the building might be retained or modified for use today.

[@crystallee360]

Great work 👏

[@goeleal1520]

I live in Salvador-Bahia, in Brazil, which is a very historic city. There is a famous street (Corredor da Vitória) with some very unique grand aristocratic houses and, while forbiding to demolish them (for heritage reasons), the city allowed to build buildings in their "backyards", which I found a good solution to this kind of situation.

[@laurenconconi6081]

Great video!

[@simon7762]

Great video on a very controversial topic, good job Uytae!

[@tarahartshorne4439]

Thank you for covering this issue. You can’t replace heritage and history once it’s gone. So many beautiful homes have been torn down to make way for gaudy classless mc mansions. Often to bypass the heritage laws owners leave the homes to rot so that the city deems them unsafe and then they tear them down. Such a shame.

[@andrewweitzman4006]

You can see that in the house that started it all.

[@MacPhal1]

Very well done! And I agree we need to find a way to have Heritage builds but have them work for the city not something that's walled off by it's self.

[@stephaniewatts1956]

I am a huge advocate for heritage preservation. Sadly we see so much of it lost in this city. Facadism is one way to preserve things in the downtown core, but there is so much more to a building than just it's facade. We do a terrible job in this city of educating the public in regards to our rich history. Now, That said, with an area like first shaughnessey, I would like to see bylaws passed that allow some of those homes to be broken up into apartments. Yes there are a few that retain their heritage interiors and it would be a shame to lose that, but the vast majority have been gutted over the years, so there isn't a lot of internal feature to retain. There is no reason why some of the mansions couldn't be split into units and sympathetic sister buildings built on the same lot. What I think is gross are the investors that buy beautiful heritage homes and want to tear them down just to build a new characterless single family home. The initial example in this piece is just that. We also have examples in shaughnessy and point grey of over seas investors buying heritage homes, being denied permission to rebuild, then leaving the homes with windows open and exposed to the elements to rot. This piece becomes a bit disjointed when talking about ethnic enclaves vs heritage buildings. These are two seperate issues. I'm not sure what the solution is to protecting areas like the Filipino and Vietnamese areas like the ones mentioned but it is certainly something that should be figured out. We have lost so many of these unique spaces over the years and the few that remain are dwindling quickly for a variety of reasons, just look at Chinatown.

[@NN-xq2by]

Rich Chinese people love to do this. There have been multiple instances where heritage homes somehow ends up in Flame even with no one living in it. Then the owner can build a new house.

[@pabloc1359]

great points made by uytae here, the problem is our cities rich and wealthy protecting eachother. They are the ones lining our politicians pockets...i unfortunately see no change happening with this neighborhood anytime soon. Similar to the dtes problem and unnafordable housing problem... if it doesn't effect the cities wealthiest, nothing will change.

[@AlM2468]

Best series ever. Nobody under the age of 50 likes watching boring repitive news

[@chinese366]

Like the mix

[@NamelessProducts]

The bar for historically important is far far too low. Just because something is old doesn’t mean it’s worth preserving at the risk of surrendering potential future buildings that will provide more utility and that we could love even more.

[@kevinwelsh7490]

and, and, and, we should have preserved those historic sawmills in False Creek! What a loss!

[@JaySinghIsImmature]

You're a brilliant presenter 👌You need your own channel, or at least a playlist

[@yeastandgrain]

He kind of does. www.youtube.com/@AboutHere/

[@JaySinghIsImmature]

@@yeastandgrain Thank you ... That channel only has a few of his vids 😔

[@LepinayAlix]

It's not a dilemma, it's the best way to protect a true heritage and of course we need money to build heritage neighbourhoods as long as capitalism is the core value of our societies. Without money from the bourgeoisie in wealthy old cities like Venice, Florence, Tome, Paris, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Budapest and so on. To build heritage without the upper class, we need a structural changes in the economy.

[@PassingBy1118]

There is an obvious but perhaps politically sticky way to deal with this problem, that is to require that only public or publicly accessible buildings can be considered heritage buildings. Using a land acquisition act, designated heritage buildings will be acquired at fair value by the government from existing private owners. In this way, the heritage of a city can be enjoyed by all, and the interest of wealthy people will not be inadvertently protected. Before someone calls this socialist, it really isn't. It is a very practical solution and has been done elsewhere. It is not meant to nationalise all wealthy people's private properties, but only those that have a heritage value. Such a policy also prevents wealthy people and corporations from acquiring heritage buildings for private use.

[@katherinespencer2073]

I blv it was specifically Luxemburg where I saw amazing bombed out old buildings that had been preserved as artforms almost with shiny very modern high-rises of compatible proportion built right to the seams of the old....so inside would be like 1 building but in actuality 2 very different ones with their unique personalities. The new build was like a beautifully sewn patch on torn jeans or shirt elbow that everyone took great pride in when commonsense ruled the world.

[@aj.d.9096]

Frankly I'm all for preserving beautiful historic homes. Buildings today and generic glass boxes and we will never build architecture like this again so we should preserve what we have left. I don't want to live in a progressively bland city.

[@keithwollenberg5237]

I think this piece would have benefitted from a careful examination of why the density of Shaughnessy is declining.

[@skiingrooster9808]

I'm not pro-heritage buildings mostly due to advancement in technology and building code. Personally for Shaughnessy, I'd be all for new construction but require designs to meet strict criteria, certain materials to be disallowed, and for demolitions - certain materials to be salvaged, such as old growth timber. But in my opinion, a lot of these older builds are not sufficient to today's code especially for fire and seismic, and have poor and awkward layouts.

[@Joel-mr6iy]

This home style is very common on Belmont Ave and Point Grey road in Van. But they have better exterior and interior. They are wealthy I love them so much

[@professordogwood8985]

Thanks Uytae. I always get a kick out of preserving Chinatown. For that district, it's not about the architecture but about the people and unfortunately, they have all left. (That might be the pattern with ethnic districts like Little Italys and Chinatowns whereas the mansion district is about houses and money).

[@stephaniewatts1956]

There is a lot of important architectural history to be preserved in chinatown.

[@professordogwood8985]

@@stephaniewatts1956 Like what, the gate? If you watched this guy's segment, he concludes that the architecture argument makes these neighbourhoods ghost towns.

[@Michael-tn9wp]

Great video! Functionality seems to be key. If great, old buildings are left to rot, what's the point? As for the rich, when haven't they been well taken care of by governments? Not looking out for the common good.

[@Smoked_Calamari]

The owners should always have the right to rebuild.

[@jesbo5898]

Thank you for this piece!! It’s such a waste to have this piece of land with such low density when we have a housing problem. These people are so out of touch with reality.

[@j134679]

Shaughnessy is expensive land because of its location, the condos to replace these houses will be more expensive than downtown ones.

[@phili30]

Curious: based on the height of the cranes at "The Butterfly" (Nelson and Burrard) under construction behind you (when you are standing in Nelson Park near the end of the video), it appears this video was shot approximately a year ago. Why the long delay in releasing it? (Not complaining - it was a great video - just curious about the process :) )

[@user-ek1to4gq3h]

I thought cities would have more the Westmount approach in Montreal where itself is a city like Beverlly Hills and West Hollywood but to my surprise it didn't in most cities including Vancouver and Toronto despite those heritage sector. I grow up in Westcount city in ontreal and let me tell you that you need a permit and all kind of hoop just to change your front window because of property value rules etc.

[@user-gk1lb7mf5v]

👏👏👏

[@Jordan-de7tw]

People should be concerned about the incredible amount of heritage buildings turned into SRO’s being burnt down by junkies in the downtown Eastside

[@kaiseranonymous]

I bet what they wanted to build in its place was an architectural atrocity. The preservation movement is probably partially so strong because what always replaces these buildings is of lower quality in form and often materials.

[@beautanner8409]

Most of the people who want to tear down the buildings in this neighborhood are offshore millionaires (i.e. think of Meng Wanzhou). If we're talking housing crisis and the need for density - the fact that it's a heavy concentration of rich satellite families should be addressed before any concern about densification of a historically unique area.

[@vancouverbluesea]

Wow! We need more people like you! Very very well done! Amazing video! Well done Uytae!

[@gracewampold1285]

Shout out to the Collingwood neighbourhood

[@ProfTotoro]

I found it odd that in the first few minutes the host did not mention that the purchasers who wished to demolish the Walkem House did not intend to build a dense multi family structure, but planned on demolishing it to build a modern mansion for a family of 5. I support the idea that dense urban housing should replace many older structures (especially on main streets and busy transit corridors) but this particular home is not an example of a developer seeking to build a dense multi family unit (what Vancouver, Seattle, San Francisco, Portland, and Los Angeles need) but rather one wealthy family trying to tear down a historic home and build a brand new mansion that might be an eyesore in a historical district.

[@jasonriddell]

a "increased density" project would be DEAD DUE to the protection covenant the area "enjoys" I agree in this example "society looses" with the demo as NO NEW housing units are built but is a GOOD example of "protection" laws saving a property that has LITTLE SOCIAL value and from the looks of it is not in 'good" shape and likely NEEDS full renovation to bring it to a standard to live in for the people that can afford to purchase it IE 1%

[@jasonriddell]

IMHO there is a missed parallel between Shaughnessy and the Filipino stores and that is the wanting to PRESERVE a social / life style and LESS about the buildings as an OBJECT the 1% that CAN AFFORD a mansion want to "protect" there mansion / exclusionary lifestyle the same way Uytae wants to "protect" the Filipino row the "crystal mall" in metro-town Burnaby is a prime example of a NEW "replacement" for the ethnic store row that 100% could replace the Filipino row and saving both the stores AND the mansions society as a WHOLE pays a price for the ""good" of some over the "good" of others and as a society we NEED to decide what is more important to "save"

[@danielcarkner1548]

I sort of agree that the function of some community/food/cultural neighborhoods are not in the buildings themselves and could be preserved in some other way if we were willing to invest in it. For example, in the kind of municipally owned market halls that are more common in Asia or Europe, or the way Singapore relocated hawker stalls to new complexes where they are supported to continue making their food. In Vancouver/Canada it's such a laissez-faire system that if such existing places close they will simply not reopen, or if they do they will reopen in a scattered way that does not serve as the same kind of community hub. I quite like crystal mall but there are few other examples like it that we can point to in this region.

[@Commontater2]

A great video, Vancouver is really captured well here too. Heritage protection, should be about maintaining a sense of place protecting the existing city from the incoming city in a way. Not sure why the criteria focuses on architects and architectural styles so heavily. That is also important. But it would leave important special places, to be thrown out, though they accrued value like, I think the loss of the Ridge theatre and bowling alley was a big loss of heritage a loss for the city. But who the architect was, did that matter?

[@edenchen523]

I love Yutate Lee