Comments on: The 1981 PNE Prize Home

By: The PNE Prize Home: Party Like it’s 1957! | Eve Lazarus

The PNE Prize Home: Party Like it’s 1957! | Eve Lazarus — Thu, 28 Aug 2025 13:54:35 +0000

[…] The 1981 PNE Prize Home […]

By: Kim McG

Kim McG — Thu, 17 Apr 2025 14:52:26 +0000

I grew up in that house. My dad purchased it. The picture is very interesting to see! but you really need to see the inside to understand the house. It had almost an internal courtyard with a different open levels built around a central column. It was very fun to grow up in and my appreciation for modern architecture was fostered by that house (my current residence is similar on a much smaller scale). It was my dad’s life work to keep a house for his family, despite many issues our family had and the individuals who came in and out of it. Keeping the house was an incredible physical, mental and financial burden on him. I think it was devastating for him when the house was torn down. He died around a year later of ALS. I’m grateful to my dad for keeping up the house; we lived in a beautiful neighborhood with great access to parks and the beach close by. Thanks for highlighting the history!

By: Peter Battistoni

Peter Battistoni — Thu, 04 May 2023 16:03:44 +0000

In reply to RWH James Magnus Hourston. The fence was probably while on the PNE lot. In the final location it never had a fence.

By: Peter Battistoni

Peter Battistoni — Thu, 04 May 2023 16:02:23 +0000

I used to cycle regularly past the house in South Surrey. That goofy roof turret/chimney always made me think of a Haida hat. As I recall, there were never any outside stairs like shown when it was on display. It was a huge house for the time, although in later years it was dwarfed by newer houses.

By: Terry Tyrone Gardy

Terry Tyrone Gardy — Sat, 27 Aug 2022 19:50:45 +0000

The 1981 PNE Home was my all time favorite. I was impressed by the exterior roof blending in with the garage, Also the top floor was the master bedroom which had a loft overlooking the living room and a small balcony.

By: RWH James Magnus Hourston

RWH James Magnus Hourston — Sun, 21 Aug 2022 17:15:42 +0000

well staging is everything and that home with razor wire above the see through fencing plus that huge staircase going up where? would put me off it right away. soaringn glass. who gets up there to clean it? and I am not a fan of inside open stairways.m dust dropping down. and the master way up there! from the outside its scary in the angle shown with only one window showing. yes the outsiden stairs are only for the pne but?
Angus, I call bull on this notion of heritage colours. this city has had bright coloured homes, not gloomy dark shades al la Molen Hill which on rainy winter days is dark and gloomy. All the new apt buildings are being painted shades of grey and black. big example is The Florida on Barclay now battleship grey. the sky is grey most of the time and add the concrete and well no comment how ugly it is

By: John Buckberrough

John Buckberrough — Sun, 21 Aug 2022 12:03:20 +0000

A friend grew up in a Ron Thom waterfront home in W. Vancouver – her father was a friend of Thom’s. Sadly, the house was demolished a couple of years ago but in the weird circle of life, the son of my friend is now working as a finishing carpenter on its replacement. The Thom design was a beautiful house but had groundwater problems from being too close to the shoreline. They did salvage a number of the interior fittings, real mid-century modern items.

By: Claire Heffernan

Claire Heffernan — Sun, 21 Aug 2022 01:56:08 +0000

WOW … too modern? Maybe too many stairs but if it’s free, who could complain.

By: Leigh Mair

Leigh Mair — Sat, 20 Aug 2022 23:11:30 +0000

As always an interesting story. I remember my mom religiously buying a ticket for the PNE home n hopes she could give to her favourite niece.

By: Angus McIntyre

Angus McIntyre — Sat, 20 Aug 2022 19:33:20 +0000

I have noticed that almost every new house being built is white with black trim, as is this year’s PNE prize home. What happened to colour? I used Heritage Vancouver’s historic paint choices five years ago – they still look great.

By: Brad Williams

Brad Williams — Sat, 20 Aug 2022 17:48:42 +0000

Its a fools paradise buying any lottery tickets. Have said that, the winner was smart to take the cash and run. Interesting story, as always Eve.

By: Tracy

Tracy — Sat, 20 Aug 2022 17:21:16 +0000

Awe, I always feel sorry for the underdog, poor Ron Thom. Kind of embarrassing when no one wants your prize! He probably thought the house was amazing!

By: Skip Savage

Skip Savage — Sat, 20 Aug 2022 17:04:55 +0000

This particular PNE tear-Thom only goes to show you can be hot, or you can be consistent, but you can’t be consistently hot.

By: Tracy

Tracy — Sat, 20 Aug 2022 16:45:19 +0000

Interesting read

By: Michael McLintock

Michael McLintock — Sat, 20 Aug 2022 16:37:14 +0000

interesting as always Eve