East Vancouver bids farewell to its iconic, polka dot property
CTV
An iconic home famous for its polka-dotted exterior will soon be torn down, marking the end of an era for East Vancouver residents.
An iconic home famous for its polka-dotted exterior will soon be torn down, marking the end of an era for East Vancouver residents.
A quaint historic cottage emblazoned with large, firetruck-red spots, the house that sits nestled on the corner of East 3rd Avenue and Lakewood Drive has attracted visitors in their hordes for over three decades.
“Honestly, I had no idea that the house would leave such a strong, lasting impression,” laughs former owner Chuck Currie, the artist behind the icon.
The notable Vancouver saxophonist and former executive chef of White Spot had bought the house in the fall of 1989, painting it its famed red and white just three years later.
He had been inspired by the act of a mischievous colleague, who had pranked a friend by painting their home in polka dots while they were away on vacation. There had been no real impetus, he says, other than he liked the look and thought the vivid design would bring joy to the neighbourhood.
The reactions from locals had been instantaneous. Currie remembers the very first: A man who had been driving by as the house was being painted and had slammed on his brakes to take a better look. The windows of the man’s car were closed, but the words he formed with his mouth had been unmistakable: ‘holy sh*t.’
“The next few days people walking by had really strong and positive reactions. I remember two little girls walking past and saying ‘oooh look, it's a ladybug,’” Currie laughs.
