Eduardo Fritis

Kitsilano, which stretches from the English Bay waterfront to 16th Avenue and from Burrard to Alma Street - is known for its young, active population, its endless beaches, spectacular mountain views, and its proximity to shopping, restaurants and the downtown core.

In the past three decades, there have been numerous physical changes in the Kitsilano area. The most dramatic have occurred in the apartment area, where most original houses have been replaced by new apartment buildings.

In the duplex/conversion areas of Kits however, residents have been working hard to restore and preserve the character homes which make the community so distinctive. Craftsman-style houses were built in Kitsilano during the 1910 to 1912 boom period and are characterized by decorative brackets, exposed rafter ends, mock trusses in the gable ends, expansive low-pitched gable roofs, and a rich variety of finishing materials and textures.

Concentrations of Craftsman-style houses can be found in the area bounded by Macdonald, Stephens, 5th and 6th Avenues. A virtually intact row of "California Bungalows" can be seen on the south side of 5th Avenue between Bayswater and Balaclava.

19,950