The Victorian-era Legg Residence on Harwood Street is one of three remaining “grand estate” homes from the turn of the 19th century. The Legg construction began in 1899 and now the mansion faces demolition as a new high-rise apartment bids to occupy its $5-million lot. 

Tonight from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. a public consultation on the home's future—hosted—by the city, will be held at Gordon Neighbourhood House.

Heritage Vancouver has written a letter to the City of Vancouver imploring the mayor and city council to reject the development proposal.  

“The fact that the Legg Residence has been evaluated as a category “A” resource, the highest rating on the City of Vancouver’s Heritage Register, speaks to its historic value for our community,” the Heritage Vancouver website reads.

Earlier this year, a proposal was put forward that would have both saved the home and allow a high-rise to be built onsite. From HeritageVancouver.org:

In May of this year the owner presented a proposal to Council that would have seen the Legg Residence preserved and restored to its “Gold Rush splendour” in exchange for permission to build a 17-storey tower on site. The Heritage Revitalization Agreement would have ensured that the Mansion would be conserved for the enjoyment of future generations. The proposal followed all of the city’s own guidelines, had been approved by the city’s Heritage Commission and Design Panel and was supported by city staff. Despite this, City Council turned down an opportunity to preserve this important part of Vancouver’s history.

The website goes on to say that the demolition would be an, “enormous setback for the City of Vancouver’s Heritage Program and would send a profoundly negative message to other owners contemplating retention of a heritage building”.

Besides attending tonight’s open house, Heritage Vancouver encourages people to write a letter to Mayor Gregor Robertson and Vancouver city council.

Additional Reading
In February, OpenFile covered a similar story when the Jeff's Residence fought to find a balance between preserving the city’s heritage and building density.