property watch: oak bay heritage home sprung from farmland to coveted neighbourhood
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in 1912, oceanfront property in oak bay, victoria, was not out of reach for at least one schoolteacher’s salary. following the municipality’s incorporation in 1906, expanded streetcar service was making it faster and easier to access downtown victoria. and the pre-first world war building boom was turning fields and farmland into what would become an upscale, sought-after neighbourhood.
eager to get in on the action, edward hamilton-smith, a high school teacher from scotland via pennsylvania, took a calculated risk and snapped up six waterfront lots on an acre and a half in the willows beach area of oak bay for the grand sum of $6,900. he then commissioned architect l.w. hargreaves to design a one-and-a-half storey, 4,163 square-foot, wood-framed craftsman-style house on what was then called beachway avenue.
hargreaves designed several victoria buildings of note, including the scott building on johnson street, the yen wo society building on government street, and what is now the hotel rialto on douglas street.
the home features three wood-burning fireplaces that were converted to gas during a renovation in 2010.
courtesy go4virtual ltd.
a back deck was added to the house in 2014.
courtesy go4virtual ltd.
the freshly painted kitchen features plenty of windows, an oversized, six-burner viking gas range, a sub-zero fridge, an additional beverage fridge in an island with added drawers for storage and double-thick granite countertops.
courtesy go4virtual ltd.
for an additional $4,000, n. benneck & sons were contracted to build the home with features such as a side-gabled roof with smaller gabled extensions and a front dormer with a balcony above a large front porch that wraps around the ocean side of the house.
the property has since been subdivided and the home, now known as the edward hamilton-smith house (or manor), has lost much of its ocean view (although you can still glimpse it from the upper deck and primary bedroom), but it’s been meticulously preserved and cared for. it’s one of only two houses on what’s now called cavendish avenue that have retained their original finishes and exterior detailing: cladding of narrow siding on the main floor and shingle cladding on the second floor and basement levels; wide trim boards and heavy brackets supporting bargeboards; upper balcony above the front door with beams, brackets and porch railings; wraparound porch on the north and east facades with classical columns and four shingle and clad columns.
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what’s inside
the interior of the designated heritage home maintains many of the original finishes, fireplaces and floor plan, with the exception of the kitchen and bathrooms, which the current owners upgraded in 2010, along with the ductwork, heating and electrical system.
“they hired john graham, an architect and member of the oak bay heritage foundation, who sourced original, reclaimed materials for the bathroom fixtures,” says listing agent lee chambers of victoria-based pemberton holmes ltd. “they also renovated the entire basement in 2014, when they added the back deck.”
three wood-burning fireplaces, including a large brick- and fir-framed one in the dining area off the kitchen, were converted to gas during the 2010 renovation. original fir flooring spans the main and upper storeys of the home, while the kitchen is laid with stone and ceramic tile. from the entryway, french doors lead into a formal living room with a brick-encased fireplace. a separate office, den, bedroom and full bathroom complete the main floor. period windows and lighting, as well as some authentic brass doorknobs and push-button light switches, remain intact from over 100 years ago.
the freshly painted kitchen features plenty of windows, an oversized, six-burner viking gas range, a sub-zero fridge, an additional beverage fridge in an island with added drawers for storage and double-thick granite countertops.
a bathroom upstairs showcases double sinks, a soaker tub and full-body shower with multiple jets.
courtesy go4virtual ltd.
with six bedrooms and three bathrooms there’s plenty of space for a large family.
courtesy go4virtual ltd.
the open staircase with preserved woodwork leads to the upper floor, which features two bedrooms, including the primary bedroom, a library, study, and bathroom with double sinks, a soaker tub, and full-body shower with multiple jets. “the interlacing tiles in the upstairs bathroom have an iridescent quality that’s quite hypnotizing,” says chambers. he adds that the two stained glass windows in the main floor and upper floor bathrooms were brought from the current owners’ previous home, which they framed and hung over the windows for a touch of colour.
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the fully finished basement features a family room, a laundry room, full bathroom and two more bedrooms, which could be used as flex space for a games room or gym, along with tons of storage cabinetry.
double doors lead off the kitchen onto a back patio and down the stairs into an expansive lawn filled with mature trees, perennial shrubbery and tall cedar hedge for privacy. “it’s as easy care as it can be, but if someone wanted a veggie garden, they could (certainly add one),” says chambers.
he says that when he shows the home, “the word ‘family’ is always used, whether it’s a young family or a multi-generational family that needs a lot of space. consistently, people come through and are surprised by the spaciousness of it.”
he says that, although there are technically six bedrooms, other rooms currently used as study, den and flex room could be converted to bedrooms, bringing the total to nine bedrooms for a large family.
“it’s a classic; 114 years old but in ‘loved’ condition,” says chambers of the historic home. “the current owners walked a fine line, keeping all the best character features, while updating everything that’s important to today’s homeowner.”
no doubt edward hamilton-smith would give his legacy an a+.
in the neighbourhood
residence is walking distance to willow’s beach.
courtesy go4virtual ltd.
the home is the second-to-last house on a street that ends at willow’s beach — 75 adult steps away, says cavendish — with views of mt. baker and nearby islands. “the oak bay neighbourhood is consistently voted among the most livable in canada. the tree-lined streets are walkable and rideable. it’s near some of the best public and private schools in b.c., and only 10 minutes from the university of victoria.”
he notes also that it’s a few kilometres to the oak bay marina, the greater victoria yacht club, uplands golf course, the royal victoria golf course, oak bay village, estevan village, a rec centre, and hospital.
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“a comparable neighbourhood on the mainland would be west point grey, kerrisdale, and kits beach, as far as the activity and desirability of being in proximity to a beach.”
location:
listed for: $3,475,000
year built: 1912
type: six bedrooms, three bathrooms
size: 4,163 square feet
realtor: listed by lee chambers, pemberton holmes ltd.
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