Imagine the outrage.
Algonquin Park has not been sold to a developer but another Canadian National Historic site is headed to Supreme Court on November 18th, and that may well be the outcome.
I first wrote about the BC Binning home, located in demolition permit happy West Vancouver, way back in 2010 - the post is below. Ironically, I spent Friday at the Association of Fundraising Professionals' National Philanthropy Day luncheon. Awards were being presented to x for raising x amount, to y for raising y amount, etc etc. The Land Conservancy, the nonprofit that owns the Binning home, is $7.6 million in debt (as I noted back in 2010 they were headed for trouble). Listening to the keynote speaker, Dan Pallata (yes the guy whose TED Talk has over 2.5 million views), break down salaries for top earners in the US was blowing my mind. Did you know Judge Judy makes $45 million a year? $7.6 million is chump change. Get this, the developer offered the TLC $1.6 million for the home - rumor has it he just bought the home next door to the Binning residence. Checked out Crack Shack or Mansion lately - there's a Part Deux? You'll see what $1.6 million buys you in Vancouver.
BC Binning is almost always a favourite, he's sort of a local hero... Kate Barron gallery manager Art Emporium
I wonder if the would be buyer feels like I do when I find a $1500 dress at a thrift store for $2? Cha-ching!
I'm not saying all developers are bad. I actually have a very nice reader who is a developer, and mid-century home lover, who happens to own one that he lovingly restored in the British Properties. Friends of his own a home that's on the West Vancouver Survey of Significant Architecture and they also have brought it back to its former glory (I know, must be nice to be able to afford a home, eh).
Too bad the TLC didn't hand the Binning Home over to the District of West Vancouver like they did with the Arthur Erickson designed Baldwin Home in Burnaby back in May 2013. West Van is a corporation and could hold it as an asset - not to mention it would be a perfect public relations and marketing tactic for them. If West Van is opening a Centre for Art, Architecture and Design you'd think a home listed on the Canadian Historic Site registry would be a top priority for acquisition.
Come on West Van - offer the TLC $7.6 million for the Binning Home and write it off as an advertising and marketing expense.
My post below is from November 2, 2010.
sstacy reynaud
For more of my images please view my BC Binning set on Flickr.
This past summer I had the pleasure of touring an iconic example of early West Coast Modern architecture - the West Vancouver home of artist Bertram Charles Binning - otherwise known as the B.C. Binning Home.
The home, designed in 1941, is a perfect size at just over 1400 s.f.
Binning's wife, Jesse, continued to live in the home until her death in 2007 at the age of 101. The home is currently owned by the nonprofit organization The Land Conservancy - whom could really use your help maintaining it.
For a story in the Vancouver Sun from 2007 see here.