property watch: historic estate of former lieutenant-governor eric hamber hits the market
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it’s not every day an opportunity comes along to live in the former home of the highest-ranking officer of the province and a representative of royalty. but the four-storey tudor and gothic-revival estate of lieutenant-governor eric hamber, who purchased the shaughnessy property in 1913 and named it greencroft, is now on the market at a reduced price, due to a court-ordered sale.
hamber, who served as lieutenant-governor from 1936 to 1941, started his career as a banker. according to vancouver west end history and newspaper clippings at the time, shortly after marrying aldyen hendry in 1912, he joined her industrialist father’s mill and trading company, who left it to the couple upon his death in 1916. hamber’s businesses eventually encompassed successes in timber, banking, railways and coal. he later acquired the minnekhada farm property in coquitlam, which became minnekhada regional park.
the couple’s elite social circle expanded to include politicians and royalty. outside the mansion, a plaque reads: “renowned for their entertaining, the hambers hosted guests such as former canadian prime minister louis st. laurent, u.s. president franklin roosevelt, king george vi and queen elizabeth.”
hamber died in 1960, and aldyen was reported to still be living at greencroft when she died in 1988 at the age of 103. the home was sold and the bulk of the couple’s estate was bequeathed to the various charities they supported.
greencroft was designed by renowned west coast architect thomas hooper and built in 1912.
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the full estate features nine bedrooms.
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the grounds at greencroft feature a fountain and pond, as well as terraced gardens with mature trees.
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historic greencroft
occupying a 1.1-acre corner lot at 3838 cypress street in the prestigious first shaughnessy neighbourhood, greencroft was designed by renowned west coast architect thomas hooper and built in 1912. a ballroom was added in 1927, which was converted to a sunroom in 1936. in 2003, the estate was restored, refurbished, updated and stratified into a side-by-side duplex, both of which are for sale, separately or together.
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according to the vancouver heritage foundation, in 2001, greencroft was awarded heritage a designation, which protects the exterior from alteration, thereby preserving its historical character and value.
“from the outside, it still looks like a grand single-family estate, but does have two distinct units within,” says lindsey vermette of engel & völkers vancouver, who, along with michael miller, is handling the listing. “both units have their own legal title, as well as multiple points of optional internal connectivity, making it a unique opportunity for multi-generational living, or a multitude of creative end uses.”
the circular driveway leads to the porte cochere, a covered entryway that offers protection from the elements. the rest of the grounds feature a fountain and pond, as well as terraced gardens with mature trees that “feel like an extension of the home itself, with pathways that follow the estate’s original formal layout,” says vermette. “multiple balconies and terraces, as well as a wraparound patio, are accessible through multiple rooms.”
an entryway features exquisite hand-painted, stained-glass panels.
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a turret with conical roof and restored bullseye dormers.
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one of nine marble natural gas fireplaces.
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she adds that, “the entryway features exquisite hand-painted, stained-glass panels depicting soft landscape scenes. each piece was individually crafted, diffusing the light that fills the main entrance with a gentle, almost cinematic glow. it is one of those rare details that still carries the intimacy of the home’s original craftsmanship and artistry.”
of the estate’s distinctive turret, she says its conical roof and restored bull’s-eye dormers add “a subtle sense of theatre to the architecture. this upper level connects to a wet bar and naturally lends itself to becoming a small lounge or cocktail room for entertaining, or a quiet retreat above the gardens that captures both history and modern living in a single gesture.”
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rich oak dominates throughout, from the floors to the walls to handrails to inlays and wainscotting, as well as the panelled elevator (unit 1). coffered ceilings with elaborate decorative detailing flow into arched entryways and oversized crown moulding. there are also original architectural light fixtures throughout the house.
greencroft was awarded heritage a designation, which protects the exterior from alteration, thereby preserving its historical character and value.
© the white space co.
/
@thewhitespace_co
in 2003, the estate was restored, refurbished, updated and stratified into a side-by-side duplex, both of which are for sale, separately or together.
© the white space co.
/
@thewhitespace_co
the entire estate consists of nine bedrooms, 13 bathrooms, nine marble natural gas fireplaces, studies, great rooms, a media room with surround sound system, formal dining rooms, as well as four kitchens, spanning 15,808 square feet. if purchased separately, unit 1, at 10,849 square feet over four levels of living space, features five bedrooms, seven bathrooms, five fireplaces, and two kitchens with face frame shaker cabinetry and exposed hardware. a small, gothic-inspired library occupies the fourth level.
unit 2, at 7,362 square feet over three levels of living space, comprising four bedrooms, six bathrooms, four fireplaces and two kitchens. there is also a wet bar with a sink, dishwasher and fridge on the third floor. both kitchens feature integrated miele appliances. all kitchens feature solid surface countertops with dramatic bullnoses and glazed tile backsplash. unit 2 also features multiple turret rooms.
the art deco-inspired underground parkade accommodates six vehicles, as well as storage rooms, a mechanical room, additional laundry suite and two fire escape staircases. there is no common property, and therefore no strata fees or shared expenses/responsibilities, says vermette.
greencroft was designed by renowned west coast architect thomas hooper and built in 1912.
photography by: © the white space co.
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@thewhitespace_co
the entire estate has 13 bathrooms.
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@thewhitespace_co
in the neighbourhood
the exclusive shaughnessy neighbourhood is criss-crossed by many leafy streets with several schools, including at least three private schools, nearby. restaurants, shops and grocery stores are minutes away in kerrisdale. several golf courses and parks, including vandusen botanical garden, are also close by.
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many more grand mansions line this upscale area, including historic hycroft manor, also designed by thomas hooper, and “happy gilmore’s house” on west 19th ave., which stood in as happy’s grandmother’s home in the 1996 vancouver-shot film. so greencroft’s new buyers will live not only among the vestiges of a past political class, but among those of a hollywood cult comedy classic down the street.
location: 3838 cypress street, vancouver
year built: 1912
unit 1:
listed for $6,880,000; five bedrooms, seven bathrooms; 10,849 sq. ft.
unit 2:
listed for $5,580,000; four bedrooms, six bathrooms; 7,362 sq. ft.
full estate: $12,460,000; nine bedrooms; 13 bathrooms; 15,808 sq. ft.
realtors: listed by lindsey vermette and michael miller of engel & völkers vancouver
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