Copyright © 2010 Fremar Construction LTD.
"Impeccable design and craftsmanship help an icon of extravagance to stand the test of time."
Fremar Construction was contacted by a major client of Don Delinsky, one of Vancouver's most gifted and respected designers. Delinsky was designing a 15,000-square-foot mansion for this client and, having worked with Fremar in the past, had recommended them as a suitable contractor. Having 20 years of history with Delinsky, the client trusted his judgement. A handshake sealed the deal and the Fremar / Delinsky collaboration embarked on a groundbreaking two-year project that would challenge them on every level.
The most daunting structural challenge was presented by the mansion’s interior open spaces like the majestic Great Hall, an expansive room covered by a 40-foot barrel skylight. The job of overcoming the lack of load-bearing walls was assigned to John Siefken of Siefken Engineering Ltd., who provided a solution in the form of an internal steel post and beam structure.
No expense was spared in this residence, which features 8 bedrooms, 12 bathrooms, a large steam room, change rooms, a spa, a breathtaking outdoor pool area, and had required the largest order of Pella windows and doors in Canadian history at the time.
An Order of Canada recipient who is very active in his community, the client planned to use his home to host upscale charity fundraisers. Impeccable finishing work, therefore, became paramount and Fremar’s most skilled carpenters spent two years creating one of the most elegant and intricate interiors in Vancouver.
The client’s position as an international lumber magnate enabled him to secure the highest quality wood possible. All exterior siding was hand-selected first-growth fir from his own mills, and the floors and ceilings were made from BC Hardwood-selected Brazilian & American cherry.
This regal area features a gorgeous, international award-winning swimming pool set against a stunning backdrop of beautifully finished stone sundecks and terraced gardens. To maintain a clean appearance, all pool equipment was housed in an underground bunker accessible by a hydraulic door under the sidewalk.
Perhaps the most striking interior feature of the house is the coffered ceilings. Intricately handcrafted with inlaid cherry panels, the ceilings seamlessly integrate a sprinkler system and an arrangement of pot lights, which were custom finished with gold to provide a rich contrast for the dark wood tones.
Flanked by stately columns rising from the intricately inlaid granite floors, the regal stairway dominates the front foyer. The elaborate cherry bannisters, upwards-sweeping mirror images of each other, were built on-site and set on top of glass panels for a majestic, sparkling effect.
In addition to utilizing innovative structural techniques, this project involved a number of cutting-edge elements that were very unusual for the time. For example, the entire home was prewired to accommodate fibre optic communication and consultants were hired to install a custom heating system to allow precise climate control.
Because of Fremar’s intimate knowledge of the house and its complex systems, they were retained by the client on a maintenance basis. In a relationship that lasts to this day, Fremar coordinates all upkeep, whether it involves painting, servicing the sauna, changing light bulbs, or customizing for new features.
When the client decided to augment the patio, Fremar was faced with finding a replacement for the singular talents of Delinsky, who had since retired. A year-long search led to Timothy Bullinger and his Arca 3 Design Studio, whose resume included Georges Marciano, Vidal Sassoon, and Davis (Max) Factor. The Fremar/Bullinger collaboration produced an intricate and arresting copper canopy to enhance the beauty of an already stunning area.
