Man bequeaths Kitsilano heritage home to city
A charming Kitsilano heritage house with an assessed value of nearly $3 million won’t land in the hands of Airbnb landlords or become a target for speculators, thanks to the careful planning of its late owner, Eric Manford Pierce.
Pierce, who died in 2011, wanted the home to remain as a monument to the love he had for his late wife, Florence Emmaline Pierce.
In his will, Pierce bequeathed the house at 2850 West 3rd Ave. to the City of Vancouver to be used as a benefit to the community in honour of his wife, and her lifelong dedication to heritage conservation and affordable housing. The will allowed relatives to live in the house after his death until they were willing to vacate it and for the city to take it over.
Pierce, a Second World War fighter pilot, confessed in his will that he had an “adjustment struggle” after returning from the war. Pierce had flown missions for the Royal Canadian Air Force in battles over Malta, Egypt and Libya.
In the will, Pierce describes coming face to face with his own mortality when a nearby aircraft loaded with 4,000 pounds of bombs received a direct hit. Pierce endured “a hurricane of shrapnel” as the bombs lit the night sky “to full daylight.”
“For one reason or another, I did not reveal to anyone my adjustment struggle,” he wrote. “But Florence, with what I believe was a vague understanding, did provide the most favourable and supportive environment for my adjustment, and did a tremendous job in reinforcing my efforts to forge ahead.”
Pierce was able to complete a degree at UBC, and went on to have a successful career with the prison service. “I owe much to Florence and want 2850 West 3rd Ave., Vancouver, which was Florence’s home for more than half a century, to be … donated to the City of Vancouver in her honour.”
Pierce stipulated that he wanted the house to “benefit all the citizens in the City of Vancouver.”
The house was built in 1909, and purchased by Pierce in 1944. Florence, who died in 2002, dedicated much time and care to restoring and maintaining the home’s heritage characteristics.
In 2005, the house was added to the city’s heritage registry as part of a 10-building collective streetscape.
The City of Vancouver has issued a request for proposals asking “mission-based, not-for-profit organizations” for proposals that will ensure Pierce’s wishes are carried out.