Historic Navvy Jack House reopens as Navvy House restaurant on West Vancouver's waterfront

The North Shore's oldest standing home gets a second life this fall. Navvy House, a waterfront restaurant and bar from the team behind the award-winning Prophecy Bar and Yaletown's Banter Room, will operate out of the newly restored Navvy Jack House at 1768 Argyle Avenue in West Vancouver.

Built in 1873 by John "Navvy Jack" Thomas, a ferry operator and gravel businessman, the heritage structure later became home to John Lawson, the "father of West Vancouver," who ran the community's first post office and general store from the space. The District of West Vancouver and the Navvy Jack Society worked to save the building, and Carrera Management Corporation funded its restoration. In 2026, the district granted the house permanent heritage status.

Executive chef and operating partner Mike Rose, a West Vancouver native, will lead the culinary program. "The seasons and the shoreline will be the North Stars for the restaurant," the team said. The menu will feature rotating seasonal dishes, fresh seafood, and carefully prepared meat, with separate daytime and evening offerings.

The space itself blends modern design with original heritage details, overlooking Burrard Inlet. Operating partner Teddy Wilkie said: "The history of this house is inspiring. It's a space that has always been a place where the community gathers. We want to honour the history of community, connection and craftsmanship in this location and write our own chapter."

The team behind Navvy House has a track record reviving heritage buildings — they created Prophecy in the historic Rosewood Hotel Georgia. Opening details for Navvy House will be announced later.