We’ll never forget the first time we saw Hamersley House. Coming up the driveway and seeing the lush garden and storybook house, we knew right away this was a perfect place for children to grow. Unfortunately, there was no fairy godmother in this story to waive a magic wand and turn Hamersley House into a daycare overnight.
In the spring of 2019, we began the long progress of an Official Community Plan amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment to get permission to turn this North Vancouver landmark into a one of a kind childcare centre. After many bumps and twists and turns along the way, we are excited to be getting closer and closer to opening our doors and starting a new chapter at Hamersley House.
The structure was built between 1902 and 1904 and is named after Colonel Alfred St. George Hamersley, who was a prominent barrister, military leader, sportsman and entrepreneur. Most notably, Col. Hamersley introduced the first regular ferry service across the Burrard Inlet, the original Sea Bus!
When it was first built, it was surrounded by many acres of land, the land we now know to be the vibrant Lower Londsdale and Moodyville neightbourhoods. Over the last 100 or so years, Hamersley House has been a significant part of the community with uses including a hotel, boarding house, restaurant and bed & breakfast.
We couldn’t be more excited to a part of the story of this historic building and welcome you to Hamersley House and KinderBees soon!