A rare piece of British Columbia's political and architectural history has become available to discerning buyers as the historic Greencroft estate, once home to Lieutenant-Governor Eric Hamber, hits the Vancouver real estate market under unique circumstances.
A Legacy Property with Royal Connections
Located at 3838 Cypress Street in the prestigious First Shaughnessy neighbourhood, this four-storey Tudor and Gothic-revival mansion occupies a sprawling 1.1-acre corner lot. The property comes to market through a court-ordered sale, resulting in a reduced price for this historically significant home.
Eric Hamber, who served as British Columbia's lieutenant-governor from 1936 to 1941, purchased the property in 1913, just one year after its completion. He named the estate Greencroft, where he and his wife Aldyen Hendry established themselves as prominent hosts to political and royal figures.
The couple's elite social circle included former Canadian Prime Minister Louis St. Laurent, U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt, King George VI, and Queen Elizabeth, all of whom were entertained at the mansion according to historical plaques on the property.
Architectural Significance and Preservation
Greencroft was originally designed by renowned West Coast architect Thomas Hooper and built in 1912, featuring the distinctive Tudor and Gothic-revival style that characterizes many of Vancouver's heritage properties.
The estate underwent several transformations throughout its history, including the addition of a ballroom in 1927, which was later converted to a sunroom in 1936. In 2003, the property was carefully restored, refurbished, and updated before being stratified into a side-by-side duplex.
Both units of the duplex are currently available for purchase, either separately or together, offering flexibility for potential buyers interested in this heritage property.
The Vancouver Heritage Foundation awarded Greencroft Heritage A designation in 2001, which provides crucial protection against exterior alterations and ensures the preservation of its historical character and value for future generations.
The Hamber Legacy and Estate Features
Eric Hamber's career trajectory was notable, beginning in banking before marrying Aldyen Hendry in 1912 and joining her industrialist father's mill and trading company. Upon her father's death in 1916, the couple inherited the business, which Hamber expanded into successful ventures across timber, banking, railways, and coal.
Beyond Greencroft, Hamber acquired the Minnekhada farm property in Coquitlam, which later became the beloved Minnekhada Regional Park.
The full Greencroft estate boasts nine bedrooms and features magnificent grounds including a fountain and pond, plus terraced gardens with mature trees that have witnessed over a century of Vancouver's history.
Aldyen Hamber demonstrated remarkable longevity, reportedly still residing at Greencroft when she passed away in 1988 at the impressive age of 103. Eric Hamber had predeceased her in 1960.
Following Aldyen's death, the home was sold and the bulk of the couple's estate was bequeathed to various charities they had supported throughout their lives, continuing their legacy of community contribution.
This market offering represents an extraordinary opportunity to own a meticulously preserved piece of British Columbia's heritage, complete with royal connections and architectural significance rarely found in contemporary real estate listings.
