Spend enough time talking to Vancouver homeowners and you'll quickly discover that older Craftsman houses tend to get most of the attention. Their character, detailing, and historical charm are certainly appealing. I happen to live in a 1922 Craftsman myself and genuinely appreciate what these homes have to offer. But as someone who has spent decades designing, renovating, and studying homes throughout Vancouver, I've also developed a deep appreciation for another housing type that often gets overlooked: the Vancouver Special. For years, Vancouver Specials were dismissed as boxy, unattractive, and lacking the romance of earlier homes. Yet many of the same qualities that made them controversial in the 1970s are precisely what make them attractive today. If you appreciate clean lines, efficient layouts, practical living, and modern design thinking, you may find that a Vancouver Special is one of the smartest homes you can buy.
A lot of 1970s Vancouver homes featured wood-paneled living rooms, groovy shag wall-to-wall carpeting, boxy ‘console’ TVs that match the brown walls, and lots and lots of pattern, which often clashed. That said they did feature spacious open plan living rooms which made them feel roomy.
1. They Were Designed for Modern Living Before Modern Living Was Popular
When Vancouver Specials began appearing throughout East Vancouver during the 1960s and 1970s, they represented a dramatic shift in how homes were designed. Earlier Craftsman houses were often divided into many smaller rooms, narrow hallways, formal dining rooms, and spaces designed around a lifestyle that existed decades earlier. Vancouver Specials took a different approach. Their layouts became simpler, more open, and more focused on how families were actually living. One of the things I continue to appreciate about these homes is how little space is wasted. Hallways are minimized. Bedrooms are reasonably sized. Living areas are generous. Storage is thoughtfully incorporated. As a design-build professional, I frequently walk through older homes and see square footage that isn't working very hard. By contrast, many Vancouver Specials feel surprisingly efficient, even by today's standards. They were designed around function first, which is one reason they continue to work so well for contemporary families.
Bathrooms from the 1970s featured earth-toned colours. They’re also larger, more practical and can be easily remodeled for 21st century living
2. They Have Practical Features Homeowners Want Today
Another reason Vancouver Specials remain so popular is that they tend to provide many of the features homeowners are still looking for fifty years later. Most include multiple bathrooms, larger closets, generous bedroom sizes, and substantial lower-level living areas that can accommodate extended family, rental suites, home offices, or recreation spaces. In many ways, these homes anticipated today's housing challenges long before anyone was talking about affordability, multigenerational living, or flexible floor plans. The ability to adapt to changing family needs is one of the reasons these homes have remained relevant. I've worked with many homeowners who initially thought they wanted a charming older house, only to discover that the practical advantages of a Vancouver Special made far more sense for their lifestyle. Function may not always be glamorous, but it tends to age remarkably well.
Once a Vancouver special owner decides to update the exterior of their home it can feel fresh & modern. But if they try to sell it in its orginal unmodified red-brick condition people won’t bother to give it a second look.
3. Their Exterior Has Aged Better Than Most People Expected
One criticism frequently directed at Vancouver Specials is their appearance. I'll admit that some original examples haven't aged particularly well. But many of the negative perceptions surrounding these homes are based on properties that haven't been updated in decades. When thoughtfully renovated, Vancouver Specials can become remarkably attractive homes with a clean, timeless presence. The simple rooflines, large windows, and straightforward massing provide an excellent foundation for modernization. Updated cladding, improved landscaping, contemporary windows, modern lighting, and carefully selected exterior finishes can completely transform the appearance of these homes without changing their fundamental character. In many Vancouver neighbourhoods today, some of the most attractive renovations I've seen have been Vancouver Specials that were thoughtfully reimagined for the 21st century while respecting the simplicity that made them distinctive in the first place.
THEY’RE NOT FOR EVERYONE THOUGH
Before we continue, it's important to acknowledge that Vancouver Specials aren't for everyone. Just as some people prefer modern architecture, others are naturally drawn to older homes with a very different personality. If you're trying to decide which type of home is right for you, here are three reasons why a Craftsman or other heritage-style home may still be the better fit.
There’s something about clawfoot tubs, vintage hardware, pedestal sinks, and penny-round tiles on floors that make these older homes feel like they’re from a completely time when things were made with care and attention.
1. You Love Character, Patina, and Homes That Tell a Story
One of the greatest strengths of a Craftsman home is something that cannot be easily replicated: character. Older houses often possess a sense of history that becomes part of their appeal. The creaking floors, worn stair treads, original woodwork, and subtle imperfections all contribute to a feeling that generations of people have lived there before you. For some homeowners, that connection to the past is incredibly meaningful. They enjoy preserving original details and becoming caretakers of a piece of Vancouver's architectural history. While Vancouver Specials offer practicality and efficiency, they generally don't provide the same emotional connection that many people feel when they walk into a beautifully preserved heritage home.
Craftsman style homes can feel dreamy and romantic. Which is why people who love vintage style fall for them. People appreciate history and patina which is why modern builders try to copy those details when they build a new-old home with varying degrees of success.
2. You Appreciate Architectural Details and Traditional Craftsmanship
Another reason some homeowners gravitate toward older homes is the extraordinary level of craftsmanship they contain. Original fir floors, stained glass windows, detailed millwork, handcrafted built-ins, decorative mouldings, and beautifully proportioned rooms are features that can be difficult and expensive to reproduce today. As someone who regularly renovates both older and newer homes, I have tremendous respect for the quality of workmanship found in many of Vancouver's early houses. The level of labour and craftsmanship invested in these homes is often remarkable. If architectural detailing is something that brings you joy every day, then a Vancouver Special's simpler and more restrained design language may feel a little too utilitarian for your tastes.
Some people just want to leave things untouched, to preserve a home’s rich history
3. You Want a Home That Feels Historical, Unique, and Built for Generations
Many homeowners are attracted to older houses because they feel permanent. Their heavier construction, mature neighbourhood settings, and historical significance create a sense of solidity that can be difficult to describe but easy to feel. Some people simply enjoy knowing that their home has already stood for a century and may continue standing for another hundred years with proper care. There is also an element of uniqueness involved. No two heritage homes are exactly alike. Their quirks, oddities, and imperfections become part of their charm. While Vancouver Specials excel at practicality and consistency, older homes often appeal to people who value individuality, history, and architectural uniqueness above all else
Final thoughts
After spending decades helping Vancouver homeowners renovate, buy, and improve their properties, I've come to believe that there is no universally "best" house style. There is only the style that best supports the way you want to live. If you value efficiency, flexibility, practical layouts, generous storage, and modern design principles, a Vancouver Special may be one of the most underrated homes in the city. On the other hand, if you're drawn to history, craftsmanship, architectural character, and the romance of a bygone era, a Craftsman or heritage home may be a better fit. The good news is that Vancouver offers both. The real question isn't which house is objectively better. It's which one feels most like home when you walk through the front door.