Our Heritage Story
Where timeless elegance meets modern comfort
Look, we're not gonna pretend we've been perfect since day one. But what we've got here at Runeval Quintaris? That's something real special. Built back when Vancouver was still finding its feet, this place has watched the city grow up around it.
The original building went up in 1897 - yeah, that's over 120 years of stories soaked into these walls. Started as a gentleman's club, believe it or not. Then it was a boarding house, a private residence, even sat empty for a while in the '70s. Each chapter left its mark, and honestly? That's what makes it beautiful.
We brought it back to life in 2004, but we didn't just slap on some fresh paint and call it heritage. Every beam, every piece of crown molding, the original hardwood floors - we kept what mattered. Then we added what modern travelers actually need: proper WiFi, climate control that works, bathrooms you'd want to spend time in.
Constructed by architect Edmund Whitley for the Vancouver Gentlemen's Society. Original design featured neo-classical elements that you can still spot today if you know where to look. The grand staircase? That's all original walnut.
Converted into upscale boarding house during the roaring twenties. The marble fireplace in what's now our lounge? Added during this period. They knew how to do things right back then.
Purchased by the Morrison family who maintained it as a private mansion for three generations. They added the gardens and the conservatory that's now part of our spa. Can't thank 'em enough for keeping everything intact.
Property sat vacant after the last Morrison passed. Not our proudest chapter, but these things happen. At least nobody tried to tear it down or turn it into condos. The building just... waited.
Three years of careful restoration work. We worked with heritage architects, brought in craftspeople who actually understood period details, and spent way more money than probably made financial sense. But when you see guests stop and stare at the ceiling medallions? Worth every penny.
Opened as a luxury boutique hotel that actually respects its past while serving modern travelers. We've hosted everyone from honeymooners to business conferences, celebrities to families just looking for somewhere special to stay. Each guest adds their own little piece to our ongoing story.
You don't need to be an architecture buff to feel it when you walk through our doors. The original oak paneling in the library survived fires, floods, and decades of neglect. Those stained glass windows above the main entrance? Hand-crafted in 1897 by a local artisan whose signature you can still spot in the bottom corner.
We kept the bones - the 14-foot ceilings, the crown molding, the cast iron radiators (they work better than modern heating, honestly). But we also knew people coming here want hot showers and decent lighting for getting ready in the morning.
It's a balancing act. Keeping what makes this place special while making sure you're not roughing it for the sake of authenticity. Nobody wants authentic 1897 plumbing, trust us.
Original 1897 walnut construction. Three stories of sweeping curves that've probably seen more drama than a soap opera. Every piece was cleaned and restored by hand.
Twelve original panels depicting scenes from Vancouver's early days. We found six in storage, tracked down four more from estate sales, and had two painstakingly recreated from old photos.
Six working fireplaces throughout the property. The one in the main lounge is Italian Carrara marble from 1923. Yeah, they still work. Fall evenings here hit different.
What matters most isn't the age of the building or how much original detail we saved. It's whether you feel something when you're here. Whether the space makes your stay better, not just Instagram-worthy.
We think we've nailed that balance. The history enriches the experience without getting in the way of comfort. You can appreciate the craftsmanship while enjoying modern conveniences. That's the whole point.
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