Arthur Erickson is renowned for designing distinguished buildings around the world
By Kelli Gustafson
Photos courtesy ofJason V / Flickr
Recently, The Globe and Mail reported that the late Arthur Erickson’s cherished Vancouver home is facing potential demolition. Arthur Erickson, who passed away in 2009, was one of Canada’s most recognized architects.
Erickson, a Vancouver native, attended UBC and later McGill University, where he obtained a degree in architecture. Erickson’s career was launched when he and a colleague, Geoff Massey, won a contest to design Simon Fraser University in 1963. The university’s design led to international acclaim for the building and the architect behind it.
After designing SFU, Erickson went on to design the Canadian Embassy in Washington DC, UBC’s Museum of Anthropology, the San Diego Convention Centre, Vancouver Art Gallery Renovations (1979), Robson Square, and many more world-renowned structures. Erickson was also the first Canadian to receive a Gold Medal from the American Institute of Architects in 1986, the highest honour the institute bestows.
Beginning in the early 1990s, the Arthur Erickson Foundation was formed to aid Erickson as he filed for personal bankruptcy. In 1997, Peter Wall, a property developer in Vancouver, provided financial assistance by issuing a mortgage towards Erickson’s property in Point Grey. Fifteen years later, Wall recently asked the Arthur Erickson Foundation to repay this loan with its due interest, totalling to an amount of approximately $580,000. Putting the money towards his company, Wall Financial Corp., he has recouped the mortgage principal and interest.
“I looked after him when he was alive. The lenders basically would have foreclosed on his house,” Wall said in an interview with The Globe and Mail. “It never was a gift. I always said that. It was basically a loan.” The foundation has been forced to secure a fresh mortgage on the property with local credit union Vancity, with the first monthly payment due mid-April.
Phyllis Lambert, chairperson for the foundation, told The Globe and Mail of possible ambitions the foundation has for Erickson’s Vancouver home; it could be turned into a museum or possibly a venue for poetry readings. The foundation is discouraging talks about demolition, and hopes to carry on Erickson’s legacy by advocating keeping this Vancouverite’s beloved home intact.
The home itself is a small, one-story cottage, located in the community of Point Grey. Erickson purchased the home back in 1957 for $11,000, while today the property is valued at over $3 million. For tax purposes, the house that stands on it is valued at a mere $6,300. The quaint cottage is spread over two lots in the coveted neighbourhood, and would no doubt be eagerly be snatched by developers if it became available.
While Erickson lived there, the home acted as a host to many notable guests, including former Canadian prime minister, Pierre Elliot Trudeau. “This was the locus of creativity for Canada’s most famous architect,” said Donald Luxton, president of the Heritage Vancouver Society, as reported by The Globe and Mail.
Faced with the possibility of Erickson’s home being demolished, many SFU students expressed concern and disapproval.
“I would be sad to see his house taken down,” Alex Lukac, a 3rd-year kinesiology student, told The Peak when she found out that Erickson’s home might soon be facing the wrecking ball. Lukac also expressed her fondness for the design of SFU. “I love the way Erickson uses stairs and cement in creative ways and manages to make each building he creates unique.”
Amy O’Brien, a 4th-year biology student, shared Lukac’s appreciation towards Er ickson’s design of SFU, and added, “It seems unfortunate that his home might be destroyed . . . it was a place where he spent so much of his time, and it almost would appear to be disrespectful to tear-down such an iconic architect’s home.”
