Skip to content
Join our Newsletter

Mid-Century Modern House Tour, Sept 26

Vancouver Heritage Foundation is a registered charity supporting the conservation of heritage buildings and structures in recognition of their contribution to the city’s economy, sustainability and culture.

Vancouver Heritage Foundation is a registered charity supporting the conservation of heritage buildings and structures in recognition of their contribution to the city’s economy, sustainability and culture.

For those familiar with the Mid-Century homes of Palm Springs and LA, Vancouver offers a uniquely West Coast Canadian style of Modernist architecture. Now in its 10th year, VHF's Mid-Century Modern House Tour offers you a chance to explore examples of the influential style in Vancouver from 1951-1970 with a home designed by Arthur Erickson, a rare chance to visit Arthur Erickson's own home and garden (pictured above), and the Vancouver architecture firm of Thompson Berwick & Pratt's B.C. Electric Building, converted in the 1990s to The Electra, a residential building.The tour also explores other homes with design characteristics that are hallmarks of the movement. All the homes on tour respond to the caveats of West Coast Modernism with an emphasis on the homes’ connection to nature, natural materials and simple construction methods.

Check out a few articles we have written here and here to learn more about Modernism.

bcbinningmuralhydro Photo Credit:

As with all VHF House Tours, Mid-Century Modern is a one day only fundraiser benefiting VHF and its programs. Homeowners generously allow ticket holders entry to their private homes on tour day, and with a limited number of attendees, this tour offers an up close look at the beauty found in Mid-Century Modernism’s simplicity. If an afternoon exploring Vancouver's Mid-Century heritage with other heritage fans sounds enticing, get your tickets now, as the guided bus option is almost sold out ($110), and there is a limited amount of self-guided tickets ($90). All tickets include a $50 charitable tax receipt and GST is added to the non-donation portion of the ticket price. The tour is Saturday, September 26th from 1pm - 5pmGet your tickets here

A post-tour reception is held from 5pm - 7pm, at a stunning West Coast Modern home with a short talk by guest speaker Professor Leslie Van Duzer, UBC School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture. As this is a private home, there is limited capacity available for ticket-holders to attend the reception. Please RSVP. 

Are you interested in taking a VHF house tour but not sure what to expect? Read our First Timer’s Guide to House Tours here.