Relocated Metro Vancouver houses form new First Nation neighbourhood in Sechelt | Daily Hive

First Nation's new neighbourhood in Sechelt repurposes old houses from Metro Vancouver

Old Port Moody houses repurposed at the shíshálh Nation's reserve on the Sunshine Coast. (Renewal Development)

A cluster of once-doomed, old single-family detached houses in Metro Vancouver has found a new purpose in Sechelt on the Sunshine Coast, where 17 below-market rental units have been handed over to members of the shíshálh (Shishalh) Nation.

The initiative was led by Renewal Development, which intervened to save a total of 10 houses that were slated for demolition at local developer Wesgroup Properties’ Inlet District development site in Port Moody — where the first phase of high-density, mixed-use residential neighbourhood is now under construction.

With help from Wesgroup Properties, the structures were transported by truck and barge to the Sunshine Coast, where they were reworked for a second life.

You might also like:

Once relocated, the single-storey, bungalow-style structures were renovated and upgraded to improve energy performance and durability, and then raised and paired with newly built basements beneath them — effectively creating a new second level.

This approach increased the final unit count on the site to 17 rental homes, expanding supply without starting entirely from scratch. These are family-sized units ranging from two- to six-bedroom units, which support multigenerational living.

The houses were moved in April 2024, and on-site construction at 5342 Smaylilh Way — on prepared lots at the Selma Park subdivision on the First Nation’s reserve, located just off Sunshine Coast Highway — reached full completion in January 2026.

Site of 5342 Smaylih Way on the reserve of the shíshálh Nation in Sechelt on the Sunshine Coast. (Google Maps)

Old Port Moody houses repurposed at the shíshálh Nation’s reserve on the Sunshine Coast. (Renewal Development)

Such a strategy of reusing these structures at a new location brought sizeable environmental savings. It is estimated that roughly one million kilograms of material were kept out of landfills, and that greenhouse gas emissions will be about 230,000 kg lower over a 60-year lifespan compared with all-new construction.

Furthermore, it is estimated that this strategy delivered new housing at a cost 20 per cent to 40 per cent lower than conventional new-build construction.

Renewal Development specializes in projects that focus on relocating and reusing existing structures, and has been advocating for municipal governments and developers to expand this more sustainable practice where possible. The Vancouver-based company estimates that about 700 “good high-value” homes are demolished across the province each year to enable higher-density redevelopments.

“These good homes should be relocated, modernized and repurposed from growing urban areas to remote communities in need. This innovative housing solution, once replicated and scaled, can be part of the solution to our housing and climate crises,” said Glyn Lewis, founder and CEO of Renewal Development, in a statement.

“This project shows what’s possible when we rescue and relocate quality buildings, work in partnership with First Nations, and invest in local people. It’s a model that delivers affordability, climate resilience, and community benefit all at once.”

Old Port Moody houses repurposed at the shíshálh Nation’s reserve on the Sunshine Coast. (Renewal Development)

Dean Johnson, Senior Vice President of Development at Wesgroup Properties, added, “Through this collaboration, we were able to advance a new community that will ultimately house thousands of people, while ensuring existing homes continued to serve a meaningful purpose. Projects like this show how thoughtful development and strong partnerships can increase housing supply, reduce waste, and deliver real community outcomes.”

This particular project on the Sunshine Coast was highlighted at the 2025 International Architecture Exhibition La Biennale di Venezia for its approach to sustainable, prefabricated housing. That same year, the Indigenous Partnerships Success Showcase recognized Lewis with its “Champion for Indigenous Reconciliation” award, citing his role in the project.

The Sunshine Coast project with the shíshálh Nation was enabled by more than $3 million in combined funding from the federal and provincial governments.

“This project is about more than housing — it’s about creating opportunity and strengthening our community,” said lhe hiwus (Chief) yalxwemult Lenora Joe.

“By partnering with organizations that respect our traditions, culture and priorities, we have delivered much-needed homes for our members while creating jobs, building skills, and investing directly in the future of our Nation.”

Old Port Moody houses repurposed at the shíshálh Nation’s reserve on the Sunshine Coast. (Renewal Development)

In 2023, Lewis’s project of relocating and repurposing the 1912-built Little Yellow School House from the redevelopment of Henry Hudson Elementary School in Kitsilano attracted significant public attention.

The process of removing the schoolhouse involved detaching the structure from the foundations and slowly moving the structure overnight on a trailer down Cornwall Avenue to reach Kitsilano Beach, where it was loaded onto a barge. Its new permanent location is on the Capilano reserve of the Squamish Nation on the North Shore, where it now serves as a learning centre for young Squamish children to learn their own language and culture.

You might also like: