Written/sketched 2000: Although most of Kitsilano's heritage buildings are loved, desired, valuable, restored, or in other words in no danger, a few cottages of great historical significance await the chop. The Quiney houses at the corner of 2nd and Waterloo are too "cottagey" to justify the value of the land they sit on (that's not my opinion, though); compounding their problem is the fact they sit sideways across two double lots. Why so significant? Architecturally, they're probably the best little colonial bungalows left in that part of the city, with their breezy open verandahs, board-and-batten siding and shallow-pitched roofs ? one hipped and the other with side gables. Historically, they're significant because they were built by James Quiney, whose first house (long since demolished) at the corner of 4th and Dunbar was the first house in that part of Kitsilano. 

Northeast corner of 4th and Dunbar, 1908 [City of Vancouver Archives Quiney fonds]

Update 2019: Quiney's life is well-documented (search for Quiney on the City of Vancouver Archives website), partly because of the camera he owned during the period before the First World War when he was working for R.D. Rorison selling real estate in the northwest corner of Kitsilano. The blocks of beautiful Craftsman homes north of 4th and west of Blenheim date from that time. 

The Quineys' pet bear cub at home at 2nd and Waterloo, 1910 [CVA Quiney fonds]

[Robert Douglas Rorison's house, on Point Grey Road near Trutch, is the only turreted Queen Anne-style house in that part of Kitsilano, and was built 1908; it was sadly remuddled in the 1970s, stripping it of its original shingles and detailing and replacing them with stark metal-framed windows and vertical board siding, after a period when it was known as the Peace House and became notorious for the anti-nuclear activists led by Peter Light who lived there, as well as (allegedly) the parties and sleepovers by counterculture icons such as Alan Ginsberg. See the Red Lion Publishing site for a timeline on the Comox Project, as the anti-nuclear campaign was known.]

The two Quiney cottages at the southeast corner of 2nd and Waterloo, sharing the corner with Quiney's real estate office, were built in 1913, and originally featured elaborate stucco porch posts and bases.

The houses were demolished at the end of 2001.

From Chris Curry, Berkshire UK, 2024: I am researching the Quiney family name and came across your reference to the work of James Luke and the note from Colin Quinney in 2004 suggesting that James Luke might have had a brother and a sister: (Joe) Napoleon Quiney, and Rose. It appears that Colin is attempting to discover the names of James Luke's parents, (his great grandparents.), with Colin being the son of Gerrard. I may be able to help, if you are in a position to pass on the following.

There is good evidence (primarily through the dates and place of birth) that James Luke (b Islington, 23 June 1873), had a brother, Napoleon Joseph (b Islington, London 1878, died 1934 Dundas, Ontario, Canada, married Sarah Anne Satter in 1905, Brentford, London, one son, Stephen Joseph Hall Quiney 1909-1972), another brother, James Martin (b Islington 1974), a sister, Julia (b Rotherhithe 1869) and a second sister, Rose Sophia (b Islington 1876).

I believe James Lucas' parents to be John Martin Quiney (b Roscommon 1833 d Deptford, London 9 Jul 1890) and Sarah (1839-1915). interestingly John Martin left a Will which might provide substantive evidence of the above.

From Harry Poulos, 2019: Beautiful write up on these two homes.  I lived next door to the house in the forefront of this painting.  I lived in my uncle's house one property directly to the east of this property in the 70's.  When I lived there I remember a very nice family by the last name of Sutton lived in the house in the forefront of this painting. .   The house directly in the background a lady with the last name of Seddon resided there if my memory serves me right.  They had two boys by the names of Timothy and Jamie and I believe their father worked at CNCP Telecommunications.  We loved the neighborhood in the 70's.  Jamie, Timothy and I would be playing everyday as it was a very cool family oriented neighborhood to be in. 

Note from Colin Quinney, 2004: James Luke Quiney might have had a brother and a sister. I have a photograph that suggests this. A brother named (Joe) Napoleon Quiney, and a sister named Rose. I am still attempting to discover the names of his parents, (my great grandparents.) He had 5 children; Theresa, James, Ken, Rose, and (Joseph) Gerrard Quiney (name later changed to Quinney), now all deceased. Gerrard was my father. Theresa's children live in BC. I have 4 children & three grandchildren. I am also trying to trace down the many photographs that James Luke took. Some (many) of them were donated to the Vancouver Archives by my aunt Theresa. I just called the Archives today (from Toronto) so that I can gain access to his photos, and - part of my heritage. Archives Reference: http://www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/ctyclerk/archives/notdream/ws_photo.htm (Near bottom of page, type Quiney into "PHOTOGRAPHER/STUDIO", and beneath it click "Search".) This will provide ~ 330 photos, including historic homes in Kitsilano, (Quiney, Rorison, etc.)