75 Veterans Road: A Pioneer in Sustainable Home Relocation

Slated for demolition as part of a neighborhood up-zoning in Coquitlam, BC, the Blue Mountain Rancher was a clear choice for our first project. At 1,500 square feet and well-maintained, the home offered the perfect opportunity to demonstrate how quality structures can be repurposed for new communities.

In collaboration with our moving partners at Nickel Bros, the home began its journey at midnight on December 15, 2020, traveling through Coquitlam’s residential streets to a waiting barge on the Fraser River. By the following day, it had reached Port Mellon and was transported to its final destination at 75 Veterans Road in Gibsons on the Sunshine Coast.

The winter and spring of 2021 were a period of transformation. We added a basement level, renovated and modernized the upper floor, and prepared the sloped garage roof for solar panels. A 4,500-litre rainwater harvesting system was installed to ease pressure on the local water reservoir, a critical addition during the Sunshine Coast’s severe summer water restrictions. To enhance sustainability, we fitted the garage with 18 solar panels, generating approximately 8,219 kWh of clean energy annually—enough to create $1,000 in yearly revenue through sales to BC Hydro.

Additional features such as vegetable garden boxes, electric vehicle charging stations, and updated landscaping completed the transformation. The upcycled home quickly found new buyers, proving the viability of saving and repurposing homes for desirable locations like the Sunshine Coast.

The success of 75 Veterans Road demonstrated the potential to rescue homes from demolition, extend their life, and provide sustainable, modernized housing solutions for new owners. This pilot project set the foundation for Renewal Development’s mission to redefine the future of home relocation and reuse.