Waterfront~ Private Platinum Green Home~Beach Access~Island & Mtn. Views~Sunny

About Jan Stevens

When I am not visiting Bowen Island, I serve as the Senior Environmental Policy Advisor for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) based at UN headquarters in New York City. In that capacity I have the honor to work with developing countries throughout the world to address their environmental challenges related to biodiversity conservation, adaptation to climate change, protection of forests, access to sustainable energy, etc. Since my work keeps me so busy Jan Stevens of Bowen Island Accommodations manages my properties......we are so glad she does. Although my parents met and married in Toronto, Canada, our family moved to Palo Alto, California where I grew up. We often visited Bowen Island in the summer. I attended U.C. Berkeley as an undergraduate and U.C. Davis where I completed my Ph.D. in plant genetics before joining the United Nations.

Jan Stevens purchased this House in 2007

Why Jan Stevens chose Bowen Island

My grandfather, Samuel Mack Eastman, discovered this spot on Bowen Island in 1918 when he came to recuperate from an injury sustained in World War I while serving in Canada’s army. He liked it so much that he bought this acre of oceanfront property for $300 that year! Mack and his wife Antonia built a cabin here and my mother, Isabelle, spent her early summers here from the 1920s on, and all of the summers of her later years. This was my mother’s favorite spot on earth. The ‘new’ cabin was built around 1950 and it continues to serve us well. I have been coming to this place on Bowen since the age of two, and this is where I found my appreciation of nature, ocean swimming and interest in international affairs and environmental issues. I was also inspired to build my career at the United Nations to follow in the footsteps of my grandfather who devoted himself to world peace in the League of Nations in the 1920s and 1930s. Subsequently, my wife, Joan, fell in love with this spot as deeply as my mother did, so we bought the acre next door to my grandparents property and built the first “Platinum” certified ‘green’ house on Bowen, which was finished in 2009. Joan invested years of research to ensure this house was environmentally sustainable in every way … each piece of wood is reused, recycled or certified; super insulation in the walls and windows; energy efficient air-heat pump and appliances , sustainably produced tile, counters, furniture, etc. In a few years this property will have been in my family for 100 years so our connection to this place is strong. Incidentally, as early notables in Bowen history, Mack and Antonia Eastman are referenced in both books on the history of Bowen Island and even in the historical section of the 2012 Bowen phonebook!

What makes this House unique

The house is bright and comfortable year-round no matter what the weather outside and the 2 story high windows bring the spectacular beauty of the British Columbia coast inside. The oceanfront location enables daily swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding, and the watching of amazing sunsets and wildlife. I find I am constantly scanning the ocean and mountains throughout the day from the outdoor decks or through the windows , and I am often surprised by sightings of diverse birdlife, numerous seals, otters, and the occasional dolphin, or even rarer Orca. The outdoor shower and the indoor sauna turn the house instantly into a spa, while the large-screen TV and surround sound speaker transform the house into a movie theatre. The kitchen is fully equipped with cooking utensils and cutlery as well new, energy-efficient appliances. Each bedroom has a deck overlooking the ocean and mountains – and the kitchen and living room and loft also have spectacular views at all times. The private dock on the property is perfect for fishing, diving and swimming while the boathouse is a delightful spot for picnics on the waterfront. The house and cabin are at the end of one of the few roads on Bowen so there is no ‘through traffic’ and it is always quiet and private here. The northwest facing property enjoys amazing sunsets and the patio encircling the house allows sun throughout the day in the spring and summer.