2664 Orchard Avenue is a Georgian-style, 2 1/2 storey home with garage, situated in the Marina/ Windsor Park area of South Oak Bay. The house presents a formal, symmetrical façade to the street, with matched bay windows flanking the copper sheathed entry canopy. The hipped roof with a central dormer is flanked by matching stucco clad chimneys. The formal landscape treatment, with shallow stone walled terrace and matched plantings, completes the symmetry of the design.
Heritage Value
This house is valued for its architect-designed formal design of the 1920’s. Georgian formality was popular in the 1920’s and this home is one of the best examples in Oak Bay. The home is significant as a landmark in the neighbourhood, effectively terminating the vista north along Deal Street.
The house is one of the best examples in Oak Bay, of a formal architect-designed Georgian house, a style popular in the 1920’s.
The home is significant as a landmark in the neighbourhood, effectively terminating the vista north along Deal Street.
The house has further value as an excellent example of architect Karl Spurgin’s residential commissions of the 1920’s and 30’s. Commissions include: Mt. Baker Court (apartments); Patio Court – a group of 5 houses: and in 1929, with partner William Semeyn, he designed Oak Bay High School in a California Mission style.
Character Defining Elements
- symmetrical Georgian design with formal plantings and terraces flanking the entry
- original stucco façade with four engaged pilasters; two bay windows and original wooden shutters on upper windows
- the copper clad entry canopy
- the placement of the house on its site, defining the vista down Deal Street
- the siting of the original architect designed garage at the rear of the lot, so as not to detract from the formality of the architectural composition
- The original colour scheme of grey stucco, white trim and green shutters; and copper canopy
- the carefully designed fenestration, a mixture of double hung and casement windows that define the design.
Identifying Names
- Charlewood House, The Charles Benjamin Charlewood House