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Vancouver Special Renovation

Vancouver Special Renovations

Transform Your Vancouver Special Into a Modern, Functional, Beautiful Home

Vancouver Specials are part of our city’s architectural DNA — generous square footage, smart structural layouts, and incredible renovation potential. But most were built decades ago, with closed-off rooms, dated finishes, inefficient systems, and layouts that no longer match today’s lifestyles.

At VictorEric, I specialize in turning these classic homes into bright, open, high-performance spaces. With our award-winning design + build team, we reimagine each Vancouver Special from the ground up — preserving what works, enhancing what matters, and elevating the entire home into something timeless.

Whether your goal is more natural light, a complete layout reconfiguration, a legal suite, or a full interior rebuild, we guide you through every step of a seamless, stress-free renovation process.

Ready to build smarter?

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vancouver special house renovation​

Why Renovate Your Vancouver Special With Us?

Most Vancouver Specials share the same challenges — low ceilings, dark interiors, outdated mechanicals — but they also offer unmatched opportunities for open-concept living, rental suites, expanded kitchens, and modern architecture. We’ve renovated countless Vancouver Specials over the past 25 years, and no two projects are ever the same. We design around your lifestyle, your family, your taste, and your long-term goals.

Full Design + Build Under One Roof

Most Vancouver Specials share the same challenges — low ceilings, dark interiors, outdated mechanicals — but they also offer unmatched opportunities for open-concept living, rental suites, expanded kitchens, and modern architecture.

We’ve renovated countless Vancouver Specials over the past 25 years, and no two projects are ever the same. We design around your lifestyle, your family, your taste, and your long-term goals.

Get a free quote

vancouver special renovations​

Permit-Ready Design

Vancouver Specials often require:

  • Structural wall removals
  • New window openings
  • Suite legalization
  • Stair reconfiguration
  • Structural wall removals
  • Zoning and building code compliance
  • FSR maximization
Our designers and technologists design every detail to city standards so your permit sails through with ease.

design and renovation company

Our Vancouver Special Renovation Process

Discovery & Home Walkthrough
We walk through the home with you, understand your goals, and identify opportunities for layout improvement, structural changes, lighting, and flow.
Conceptual Design
You’ll see how your Vancouver Special can transform — open concepts, expanded kitchens, brighter great rooms, redesigned staircases, updated exteriors.
Interior Design
Our design team works closely with you to select every finish: millwork, flooring, lighting, cabinetry, hardware, fixture, paint, tile. Every detail is chosen intentionally to match your lifestyle and aesthetic.
Budgeting & Final Scope
Once selections and structural decisions are finalized, we present a complete renovation package with: Final drawings Final specs Fixed pricing Construction timeline
Permit Submission
We prepare drawings, coordinate engineering, and handle all communication with the City of Vancouver.
Construction
Your dedicated Project Manager and Site Lead coordinate trades, maintain schedules, oversee quality, and update you weekly. Your home stays clean, safe, and organized throughout the build.

Looking for vancouver special renovation ideas​?

What We Can Do With Your Vancouver Special

Vancouver Specials often require:

  • Full interior gut + rebuild
  • Open-concept main floor
  • New kitchen layouts with large islands
  • Staircase redesign
  • Natural light enhancement
  • New bathroom layouts and luxury finishes
  • Basement suite creation or modernization
  • Exterior facelift and energy upgrades
  • Custom millwork throughout
  • Mechanical, electrical, and HVAC modernization
Whatever vision you have, we build it beautifully and meticulously.

vancouver special renovation​ Projects

Home Renovation Featured Projects

While multiplex zoning was newly enacted in 2024, VictorEric has several exciting projects in active development. Here’s a glimpse of what’s underway:

FAQs
Vancouver Special Home Renovations

Everything You Need to Know Before Renovating a Vancouver Special
How much does a Vancouver Special renovation typically cost?

Yes, if your property was previously zoned under R-districts, it has now been rezoned to R1 SSMUH. You may be eligible to build 3–6 units depending on lot size and location.

No. Multiplex Burnaby regulations now permit construction even without rear lane access.

 

Yes — under Burnaby SSMUH zoning, stratification is allowed for properties with two or more primary units, except for secondary suites and fee simple rowhouses.

To qualify for SSMUH development in Burnaby, your lot must meet the following minimums:

  • 10 meters wide

  • 281 square meters in area
    These dimensions apply to most Burnaby R1 zoning lots. Rowhouse subdivisions have additional criteria. Refer to the Burnaby SSMUH zoning map or ask us to review your site for eligibility.

Parking requirements depend on location. If your lot is within a Frequent Transit Network Area, no off-street parking is required for SSMUH developments. Outside of FTNAs:

  • Lots with 3 or more primary units require 0.5 spaces per unit

  • Lots with 1–2 primary units may use on-street parking
    The City of Burnaby zoning bylaw aims to reduce parking mandates to support housing diversity.

The number of allowed units under Burnaby SSMUH zoning depends on your lot’s proximity to a Frequent Transit Network:

  • Inside FTNA: Up to 6 dwelling units

  • Outside FTNA: Usually up to 4 units
    Use the Burnaby multiplex zoning map to check your address or contact us for a free review.

Here’s a simplified breakdown of the SSMUH Burnaby approval process:

  1. Confirm zoning eligibility (R1 SSMUH)

  2. Design your project to comply with the City of Burnaby zoning

  3. Submit a building permit

  4. Receive permits and begin construction
    VictorEric can handle the full design and build process, ensuring your multiplex Burnaby project meets every code and timeline.

Yes — the SSMUH zoning in Burnaby allows for flexible combinations, including:

  • A duplex with a laneway home

  • Two laneway homes on larger lots

  • Laneway homes with secondary suites
    This flexibility reflects the city’s push for multiplex home designs in Burnaby that meet the needs of diverse households.

Explore vancouver special house renovation Near You

What’s Possible on Your Lot? Service Areas

Our renovation services extend throughout the Vancouver region and beyond. We proudly serve clients across a wide range of locations, ensuring that wherever you are in the Greater Vancouver Area, you can count on us for expert renovation solutions. Whether you’re in Vancouver, Burnaby, or Squamish, we’re ready to help you transform your space.

  • Vancouver, BC
  • Burnaby, BC
  • North Vancouver, BC
  • West Vancouver, BC
  • Richmond, BC
  • Coquitlam, BC

your vancouver heritage home renovators

Why Choose VictorEric for Your Vancouver Special Home Renovation ?

  • Designing homes since 1997 with 25+ years of real-world experience
  • Strong relationships with City of Vancouver planners and staff
  • Fully Integrated Approach with in-house design, permitting, and construction team
  • Member of HAVAN, CHBA, and NKBA
  • Multi-award winners including Georgie, HAVAN, CHBA and NKBA honors
  • Active educator through our Multiplex Vancouver YouTube series and live webinars
  • Part of VictorEric Group of Companies alongside VSP Developments for a full Design + Build + Develop approach

vancouver special renovation before and after

Finished Special Vancouver Renovation Home Tours

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"The quality of the finishings exceeded my expectation and the general layout and functionality of the space is amazing. I have received many compliments from visiting friends and family on what an amazing new home I have. All of the residents of this new complex seem to feel the same way!"
Multifamily ProjectHomeowner
"Doing any type of construction in Vancouver is a process. You need expertise, finesse and professionalism. VictorEric assembled a team for us that had these qualities and more. They expertly deconstructed our old-timer and finessed it into our dream home. They dealt professionally with city permits, inspectors and all the necessary trades. Thanks to the dedication of this team we are now living in a beautifully designed and well-constructed home. We are extremely happy with the result and highly recommend VictorEric as a one-stop shop design and build firm."
Catherine BurkeHomeowner
"The design of this is unlike any other typical duplexes you’ll see in Vancouver... If you knock on the door casings or stomp on the floor, you know this is a solid house that will last 100 years. We’re proud of the build quality — and the experience was truly human, not just transactional."
Vancouver DuplexHomeowner
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