By Alisa Howlett/News staff
Slowly and steadily one of the most significant, and perhaps oldest, houses on the Saanich Peninsula has been moved.
The Verdier house at 7247 West Saanich Rd. in Brentwood Bay was moved 150 feet from its current site and turned 180 degrees to face Stelly’s Cross Road instead of West Saanich. The house is expected to be placed in the new, previously prepared hole on the nearly one-acre property later today.
The 1911 landmark is part of a new development project and will be divided into eight rental apartments after undergoing exterior restoration. Townhouses for low-income seniors and workers will be built on the former site of the house, perhaps the first of its kind in the area. This project caused quite a stir in the community because of the history that surrounds the house; it was built for Frank Verdier, who helped plan the Malahat highway.
The 6,600-square-foot house moved slowly and only four feet at a time to its new location. Nickel Bros started the move around 9 a.m. on Thursday, May 4 and finished around 10.
Matt Peulen, the developer with STRIDE Properties, said once the house is in position they will start the construction of the revitalization.
“It’s heritage designated so we’re getting it back to its original state and how it used to be,” he said. “We hope in eight months the project will be finished.”
Project manager Peter Zaoralek said the move went off without a hitch; the main effort was in site preparation. The interior was deconstructed beforehand, most contents going into storage, and the crew spent two weeks making roadways to safely move the house.
“We had to reduce the weight in order to lift (the house). The main thing was to keep everything in tact because of its heritage,” said Zaoralek.
The next steps will be to replace the wheels underneath the house with blocks and start the foundation.
Community members were scarce on the day of the move; although Central Saanich Councillor Zeb King was present. He said he mentioned the move to a few people who felt strongly about the project, but speculates they didn’t show because it might be sad for them. King also added he is looking forward to the house being restored to its original heritage.
One neighbour of the house, Brian McAdam, was watching the work from the sidewalk on West Saanich. He just got off a night shift and saw the house on wheels and wanted to watch the move out of personal interest.
“I don’t have a problem with what they’re doing as long as it’s done right,” he said.
Depending on permits and approvals, the construction of the low-income townhouses could start as early as fall or early winter, said James Munro, director of real estate development with the Greater Victoria Housing Society.
