Clad primarily in masonry and cast stone, the historic Spencer Building required significant enclosure rehabilitation to address age-related deterioration. Of particular concern were the original single-pane steel windows with heavily corroded frames, which required careful conservation within a designated heritage context.
RDH was initially retained in 2014 to complete a condition assessment of the building enclosure, including close-up inspections of the masonry, cast stone, and windows using bosun’s chair access. Based on our findings, we developed repair recommendations and supported a trial repair program in 2015 to evaluate restoration techniques for the masonry, cast stone, and window assemblies. The trial repairs informed the development of a comprehensive Conservation Plan, including repair strategies, cost estimates, implementation priorities, and long-term maintenance recommendations.
Following the investigation phase, RDH led the rehabilitation of the west elevation and conservation planning for the remainder of the building. Working in consultation with the City of Vancouver Heritage Commission, our approach prioritized retention of the original building fabric while improving long-term enclosure durability and performance. RDH provided design development, contract documents, construction administration, and coordination with the contractor throughout implementation, helping balance heritage conservation objectives with contemporary building performance requirements.
The project received a 2018 Heritage BC Recognition Award for Heritage Conservation for its contribution to preserving one of Vancouver’s historic landmarks.
