A famous North Vancouver heritage home that nearly bankrupted the man who built it is up for sale.
The Nye House at 3545 Dowsley Ct. has been listed for $4.5 million.
The 1902 Tudor revival home has undergone a number of renovations to give it an air of modern luxury.
The 6,300-square-foot interior boasts six bedrooms and five bathrooms (three are en suite) across four storeys of living space.
Contemporary finishings include a large kitchen island with a built-in banquette and integrated appliances. There are several fireplaces throughout the home. And the primary suite’s bathroom features a double vanity, a large marble shower and soaker tub.
On the lower level, there’s a two-bedroom basement suite, which can accommodate guests or be rented out.
Home built by prolific Scottish-born architect
The home was first built in 1902, after returning Boer War veteran Thomas Samuel Nye used his military grant for service to purchase the land.
Apparently, Nye went broke building the large home, which became known locally as “Nye’s Folly,” according to the District of North Vancouver register of heritage homes. But later he made his fortune during the ensuing land speculation boom when he subdivided his property.
Nye House was designed by prolific Scottish-born architect Henry Blackadder, who was responsible for many buildings on the North Shore, including public schools, the former North Shore Press Co. on First Street and the War Memorial Cenotaph in Victoria Park.
After the local economy collapsed, Nye moved to Daisy Lake in 1915, but later returned to North Vancouver.
From 1921 to 1932, Nye House was rented to the Kingsley School, a private school for boys.
According to the heritage register, the home is distinguished by its “its superb fitted stonework, and its mature landscaping, which includes an impressive dry stone retaining wall, a long row of planted holly trees, and an unusual specimen Chinese fir tree.”
The house was damaged in a 1990 fire, but retains much of its original character.
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