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Thursday, March 28, 2024

Santa Fe apartments combine heritage with modern conveniences

A unique project involving the restoration of a heritage building on Oak Street and the addition of a new apartment tower behind, is now complete.

Aquilini Development is now accepting rental applications for units in the Santa Fe, made up of the original 1928 apartment building, and a new rental tower.

The 1928 building was designed by Vancouver-born architects Townley and Matheson, who are also responsible for the art deco design of Vancouver City Hall. The apartment blokc was originally called The Van Arsdel, named after the wife of the builder, a former sea captain with Canadian Pacific.

Building History Santa Fe apartments
The Santa Fe. Credit: Aquilini Development
Santa Fe as seen in 1929
The Santa Fe/Van Arsdel in 1929. Credit: City of Vancouver archives
Santa Fe apartments pre-renovation
Santa Fe apartments pre-renovation. Credit: City of Vancouver archives

At the time, the stately building was unique in the area, surrounded by dirt roads and only a few single family homes. The location was actually a couple blocks outside of Vancouver city limits, before the city amalgamated with Point Grey. The building is an excellent example of the Period Revival style popular in the 1920s and 1930s.

Apartments in both the restored heritage building and the tower are now available for rent. Suites feature large-sized bedrooms, front hall closets, ample storage and up to 300 sq ft. patios.  All apartments have an in-suite washer and dryer, quartz countertops and a full, stainless-steel appliance package. Rents start from $1,750 for a one bedroom unit (543 sq ft.), as of Oct. 18, 2017.

Santa Fe apartments exterior
Exterior along Oak Street. Credit: Aquilini Development
Santa Fe apartments tower kitchen
Kitchen in the tower suites. Credit: Aquilini Development
Santa Fe apartments tower living space
Living area in tower suite, showing large balcony. Credit: Aquilini Development
Santa Fe apartments tower living room
Living area in tower suite, showing large patio with wood fencing. Credit: Aquilini Development
Santa Fe apartments heritage bedroom
Bedroom in the heritage portion of development. Credit: Aquilini Development
Santa Fe apartments kitchen in heritage portion
Kitchen and living area in restored heritage portion. Credit: Aquilini Development
Santa Fe apartments heritage detail façade
Restored façade of the Santa Fe apartments, 2017. Credit: Aquilini Development
Santa Fe apartments heritage detail balcony
Restored façade of the Santa Fe apartments, 2017. Credit: Aquilini Development
Santa Fe apartments tower view north
View north from the tower suites towards downtown Vancouver. Credit: Aquilini Development

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Peter Meiszner
Peter Meiszner
Peter Meiszner is an experienced journalist and media relations professional, based in Vancouver. As founder of urbanYVR.com, he has been reporting on urban development across the Lower Mainland since 2016, and has also served as vice-chair of the Gastown Historic Area Planning Committee. In October 2022, he was elected to Vancouver city council and is no longer actively reporting for urbanYVR.

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