So what is a veranda used for? A Victoria residential case study

On a recent visit to Victoria we stayed in a lovely historic three-bedroom house on Selkirk Street in the Gorge district of Victoria West. This charming neighbourhood has much in common with areas of the city such as Fairfield and Fernwood, areas we know well having stayed there over the years. Vic West is however less known which is a shame as it has so much to offer. Property values are less expensive than elsewhere. Dotted with many trees and attractive home gardens, just a short walk from the lovely Gorge waterway, the area offers easy access to bike paths, small parks, and unique coffee shops, bakeries, and crafty shops. The neighbourhood has a strong sense of place. It’s no surprise that many younger families call Vic West home.

Walking to the local dog park one afternoon, Kathie and I came across a residential construction site with an informative sign prominently displayed. The text which follows describes both the past and future of the developing home:

The renovation of 508 Selkirk takes its inspiration from old boat sheds along the Gorge, such as the Sunnyside Yacht Works, a ship-building business operation from the area between 1892-1938. Into this design is woven a nod to the welcoming porches and verandas of the existing neighbourhood, preserving a friendly face to the street and our neighbours. The original single-family home is being renovated into a multi-generational home for parents, adult daughter and son-in-law and grand-dog, that will allow for aging-in-place plus a rental suite.

Attention to native plants and vegetation, organic food production, protection of the foreshore, installation of solar panels and water cistern, and the re-use of original building materials where possible, will help connect the home to its surroundings and reduce its carbon impact.

Your new neighbours look forward to being part of Vic West and Gorge waterway activities, and acknowledge and appreciate the stewardship and care of this area by the lək̓ʷəŋən people of the Esquimalt and Songhees Nations who have lived here for thousands of years and continue to do so.

We stopped for a few minutes, reading the sign, and digesting this remarkable project. So many features stand out for us. While obviously a very expensive project, when viewed over decades of residence, owners will certainly get their money back, and more. Savings on utilities, rental income, and proximate recreational options will reduce the need for (and ecological cost) of travel. Aging in place may well offset or replace what is the most expensive feature of senior living, health and personal care, when the time comes.

Also impressive are the awareness and desire to engage as fully as possible with the local community—what else are verandas for—including appropriate land acknowledgement and Indigenous sensibility. The inclusion of design features of historic buildings on historic sites will inevitably lead to a beautiful façade which will make residents and onlookers smile.

We look forward to watching this project go forward. Upon future visits we hope to visit with the owners of 508 Selkirk, possibly sitting on their veranda, enjoying their front yard, and yes, their grand-dog.