Richard and Evelyn (Kellie) House

A Berwick and Pratt-designed home shaped by craftsmanship and setting, this residence reflects a refined approach to design and livability, balancing form, detail, and garden connection. 

Built in 1941 for Richard “Ritchie” Nelson, a Norwegian-born entrepreneur and co-founder of Nelson Bros. Fisheries, and his wife Evelyn, this home was designed by noted architects Berwick and Pratt. It reflects a transitional period in residential design, blending traditional forms with a growing emphasis on comfort and connection to the outdoors. 

The house features an accentuated front porch, large windows typical of MCM style, a side-gabled roof with minimal eave overhang, and a distinctive cornice line that extends over a side wing – details that give the home a strong architectural presence.

Inside, fine craftsmanship and original character are evident throughout, including a dramatic sunken living room, and four wood-burning fireplaces that anchor the main living spaces. The layout offers a natural flow between interior rooms and the surrounding landscape, opening onto stone patios set within well-maintained gardens.

Thoughtful updates over time – including electrical, exterior, and roof improvements, along with an updated kitchen and a new garage – have ensured the home’s continued livability. Today, it remains a well-preserved example of an architect-designed residence.                                                                                       

Sources: City of New Westminster Archives, research by Bozana Djuric         

Photo courtesy of Jackie Devonshire and Jordan Shapiro, Realtors