In 1898, Francis William Caulfeild saw the wilderness that is now the West Vancouver shoreline and had a vision. Caulfeild hired Captain Charles Henry Cates, the historic Vancouver marine figure who would later found C.H. Cates Ltd., to cruise the Burrard Inlet, and Caulfeild was so enchanted by the scenery surrounding Skunk Cove that he decided to buy and develop the area.

In 1898, Francis William Caulfeild saw the wilderness that is now the West Vancouver shoreline and had a vision. Caulfeild hired Captain Charles Henry Cates, the historic Vancouver marine figure who would later found C.H. Cates Ltd., to cruise the Burrard Inlet, and Caulfeild was so enchanted by the scenery surrounding Skunk Cove that he decided to buy and develop the area.

native of Clovelly, England, Caulfeild created an idyllic network of winding country roads reminiscent of his hometown. Also a devoted nature lover, he had the foresight to preserve the foreshore as parkland (now Caulfeild Park) to ensure waterfront access for the public.

Caulfeild built his own residence close to the water – a small cottage that he shared with his wife. Just east along the shore sat the original Pilot House, home to Captain Frank Kettle, a retired seaman and longtime resident of the area who had served as a former mate on the iconic Cutty Sark.

Over a century later, when the Anfields bought Caulfeild’s former lot, the original Pilot House was gone and the Caulfeild residence had since been replaced by a modest home. Very sensitive to the history of the area, Anfield’s goal was to build a new house that better suited the neighbourhood’s personality. He hired international designer Alex Chapman from Toronto and, on the recommendation of a friend, presented Fremar Construction with the challenge of executing his intricate design.