Three homes from Coquitlam are being relocated to Old Massett/G̲aw Tlagée on Haida Gwaii, with loading onto a barge on Sept. 28.
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Three homes from Coquitlam are on the way to Old Massett/G̲aw Tlagée, a village on Haida Gwaii, following their relocation from Metro Vancouver.
The move involves taking the houses up Canada’s West Coast by tug and barge, navigating around the Gulf Islands, eastern Vancouver Island and the Central Coast before crossing Hecate Strait to reach the archipelago.
Glyn Lewis of Renewal Development, which specializes in relocating homes, said the relocation is the furthest the company has moved a building within B.C.
The three structures are being moved from two locations near the Vancouver Golf Club: neighbouring properties at 535 and 545 Appain Way, and 1161 Madore Ave.
Once in place in Old Massett, the homes are expected to be used as triplexes, creating nine new residential units in the community.
Donald “Duffy” Edgars, chief councillor for Old Massett Village, said there is a critical need for good housing in the community and described the goal as providing safe, affordable, climate-resilient homes while respecting and protecting the land.
The two houses from Appain Way were originally part of a group of 11 homes removed for a new development. Renewal and developer Anthem identified the two structures that could be moved, while the other nine homes were demolished so that what could be reused and recycled was saved.
Lewis said the company modernized the homes in Coquitlam before the move and described the approach as saving communities 20 to 30 per cent compared with new construction or modular methods.
The two Appian Way houses were moved last week, and all three houses were put on the barge on Monday, Sept. 28. They are expected to arrive in Old Massett on Thursday, Oct. 1.
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