Tuesday, February 23, 2010
The Facer House

The Facer's, Albert and Vivian, built the house at 564 Granada Court and then lived in it, and lived in it, and lived in it.    Vivian and Albert were the owners when it was built in 1956 for $14,000.  In 1960 Albert was working as the proprietor for Crown Chimney Sweeping and in 1971 he was the president of Crown Roofing.  By 1980 Crown Roofing had become a Limited Company and Albert continued to be president.  In the 1991 and 1995/96 City Directories only Vivian Facer retired is listed.  Her name continues to appear in both the year 2000 and 2008/2010 phone books. So for 54 years a member of the Facer family lived at 564 Granada Court and now a permit for demolition has been applied for.  They will be the only family to have ever lived in there.  It can truly be called "The Facer House".

The Facer House is typical of houses built in North Vancouver in the 1950's and the 1960's.  Many of the features are demanded by the West Coast topography and climate.  Because it is built on the side of a mountain the slant of the lot calls for a retaining wall.  Here it is a wall of stone.  Because of all the grey and rainy weather light inside becomes a priority.  Hence there is the south wall of windows: windows in the living room, in the kitchen and even a row of small windows up into the eaves.  When the grey sky lifts for the six weeks of Vancouver summer the southern sundeck and windows make the green awning across the right side of the house a necessity.  In the first floor of the house is a carport.  Because of Vancouver's mild climate garages aren't really called for, although cover from rain is.  And because of the carport and the incline of the hill the living area is on the second floor.  This is typical of many Vancouver area homes.  It is like" living in the sky".  Behind the house can be seen a new home showing  today's featured construction.  Also, can be seen two local mountains.  The slope of Mount Fromme is in front and Grouse Mountain higher and in back of it.

Granada Court is a cul-du-sac west of Delbrook Avenue in the District of North Vancouver.  Actually this whole area is called Delbrook.  Mosquito Creek  Park borders  the end of the cul-du-sac.  The Facer's had a quiet and beautiful corner of the world to spend their lives.

Demolition Permit: Applied for January 2010.

Photo: Taken  in January 2010 by SW.