You could WIN
$15,000
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Come home to $15,000 worth of furnishings, home electronics and groceries . . . from Visions Electronics, Save-On-Foods and The Brick. Contest runs May 7 to May 31, 2009. Check out MetroVancouver’s new homes and play along each week to increase your chance of winning.
Coffee With takes a closer look at North Vancouver ›› p.14
May 21, 2009
Housing market balancing out Downward pressure on home prices has eased, says BCREA
The British Columbia Real Estate Association reports that April was the third consecutive est-entrypoint FRONT 1 5/7/09 4:57:48 PM month of increasing home sales in the province, on a seasonally adjusted basis. Consumer demand was bolstered by lower home prices and record low mortgage interest rates. Housing affordability hit a three-year high at the beginning of the month. “Downward pressure on home prices has eased considerably,” says BCREA chief Cameron Muir economist Cameron Muir. Locally made products are popping up more and more in Metro Vancouver homes, such as the garage doors made by Richmond-based “An increase in consumer Garador. Garador president Arkadiusz Lewandowski, above, says people are starting to realize there are local alternatives. Rob Newell photo demand combined with fewer homes for sale has trended the market near balanced conditions.” The number of homes for sale through the Multiple Listing Service fell to a 12-month low in April (on a seasonally adjusted basis). MLS residential sales dollar volume in B.C. declined 25 per cent to $3.1 billion in April, compared to the same month last year. Residential unit sales declined 20 per cent to 6,918 units during the same period. The average MLS residential price in the province was $449,372 in April, down six per cent from April 2008. excitement. To not want to sit on the fresh mountains rising out of the Pacific Ocean Year-to-date, MLS residential sales dollar furnishings and soak up that “new house only adds to this euphoria. Especially volume was down 41 per cent to $7.8 billion smell.” downtown, where nighttime falls and a milover the same period last year. Especially as stone-clad exteriors lion lights are viewable from your window. A total of 1,889 units were sold in the first welcome you inside to shiny counters, It is, without a doubt, what sets homes in four months, down 35 per cent from 2008, groomed carpet, and perfectly crafted Greater Vancouver apart from those in the while the average MLS price declined nine per wooden doors and closets. You may even rest of Canada, or even the province, and cent to $433,246. find yourself envisioning where your couch it has given local manufacturers a distinct For further details, visit the B.C. real Estate KOLBY SOLINSKY will face your television. advantage in selling their products along Association at www.bcrea.bc.ca As they say, it’s all in the details. It’s a tough thing to do – to walk into Well, on the West Coast, the view of the Source: B.C. Real Estate Association a new home and not feel that rush of CONTINUED ON P.2
Made-in-B.C. products keep homes hyperlocal
More and more Metro Vancouver homes are featuring goods made here
2 • New Local Home | May 21, 2009
The Left Coast is influencing the housing industry across the country – not only in design, but by using products and services that are locally manufactured and distributed.
Made in B.C. Off the front: “You’ll see a lot of the trends that are set in the B.C. market, and they tend to be picked up in Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan.” – Michael Boylan, owner, Preferred Handcraft Stone CONTINUED FROM P.1
A directory lists B.C. manufacturers.
Find out more about local products BC Stats, in conjunction with the Ministry of Small Business, Technology and Economic Development, has organized the British Columbia Manufacturers’ Directory, which currently lists more than 4,800 companies and provides valuable information on manufactured products, export information, employee size, manufacturing locations and more. The database was first produced by the province in 1922, and is now available as a free, online search bank. It is also provided free of charge to manufacturers who do some or all of their manufacturing in British Columbia. The site allows you to filter its database in categories ranging from aluminum to appliances, bedding and blankets to cabinetry and countertops, doors and windows to fencing and flooring, and furniture and lighting to kitchenware and tableware. Each category shows you company locations so you can browse all over Greater Vancouver and support local businesses. The manufacturing sector plays a critical role in the economy of British Columbia, and the Ministry of Small Business, Technology and Economic Development is dedicated to helping build a strong provincial economy that supports job creation and maximizes economic opportunities. The ministry’s activities include marketing and promoting British Columbia to expand trade and investment opportunities and increase sales and exports of goods. Source: www.made-in-bc.ca
with the province’s attractive real estate. Each year in British Columbia brings with it new homes and new innovations, and much of the ritz and glamour that makes you stand there and think, “I wish this was mine” has been provided for right here at home. After all, high quality appliances and construction are exactly what a new home offers. And, because more and more locally manufactured products are making their way into the new home market, the Lower Mainland’s attractive real estate is truly “made-in-B.C.” And the trend is growing. One example is Stor-More, a closets and blinds company that operates out of its Surrey showroom. Stor-More manufactures closet, garage, and pantry organizers, as well as window treatments. “It’s the interior of what goes behind a closet door,” says Michelle Carnaby, who works in the company’s advertising and marketing departments. While Stor-More has served at its post in the Lower Mainland for more than 25 years, one need only look at its brochures or its new showroom and see that it has adapted well to that West Coast style we see so often in Greater Vancouver – sleek, horizontal lines and a well-organized, clean-cut style. Their closets, showers, and blinds mesh perfectly with the exterior style of handcrafted stone that is often the look of local, residential architecture. Carnaby knows that there are intangibles that go along with being a local manufacturer. “You always want to see people be successful,” she says in a ‘David vs. Goliath’-type fashion. She adds that Stor-More definitely aims to serve the proverbial “little guy” who may get lost in an atmosphere of international big box retailers. After all, Greater Vancouver is no stranger to commercial competition. However, success has rightly been focused on two critical factors. “We like to focus on giving people great pricing and focusing on the customer,” she says. A simple but exceptional philosophy. Stor-More has been able to remain busy and it looks to keep growing, ensuring that local producers can survive in a constantly-evolving housing market such as Vancouver’s. “We do new developments all the time, and it’s always ongoing,” Carnaby adds. “We go
The windows in the home shown above were made and provided by Langley’s Allied Windows. Below, a closet organizer made by Surrey-based company Stor-More.
right from Vancouver all the way to the Fraser Valley.” Local companies have also begun to use their products to reflect Greater Vancouver’s image across North America. For one, the area still remains a success story in its green initiatives, buoyed by governmental regulations. Gary Porter, Sales and Marketing Manager at Allied Windows, echoes these statements. Due to obligatory laws, window producers in B.C. must meet a minimum 2.0 U-value for each overall unit, ensuring a higher performance standard that also reduces our ‘carbon footprint.’ “In other provinces it’s more optional,” says Porter. “Here it’s mandatory.” Located in Langley, Allied Windows has seen its operations grow as of recently. “We’re moving across Western Canada,” Porter says, noting that Allied currently is also doing business in Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and the rest of B.C. Naturally, Allied has benefitted from the increase in home starts in the last couple of months. “The last quarter of 2008 wasn’t all that busy, it definitely dropped off,” he says. “But we’ve seen it pick up nicely since January. It’s definitely coming back.” However, it’s not just green-related issues that express Greater Vancouver’s diversity. CONTINUED ON P.11
Editor: Tricia Leslie • 604-575-5346 • editor@newlocalhome.com Advertising Sales - Black Press National Sales • Adrian Saunders • 604-575-5812 • adrians@blackpress.ca Online Advertising • Nicole Hutchinson • 604-575-5826 • nhutchinson@blackpress.ca Circulation/Business Development: Steve McIvor • 604-575-5822 • smcivor@blackpress.ca Designer: Brad Smith • bsmith@blackpress.ca New Local Home is published once a week by Black Press Group Ltd. (Suite 309 - 5460 152 Street, Surrey, B.C. V3S 5J9) 350,000 copies are distributed free across Metro Vancouver. Reproduction in whole or part is prohibited.
New Local Home | May 21, 2009 • 3
4 • New Local Home | May 21, 2009
A house for every family at Silver Ridge
A community you’ll want to join
“People here really, truly love their homes” A home set in a green, natural playground, with safe streets, friendly neighbours, and peace and quiet. Usually – in reference to a well-used cliché – if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. But at The Crest at Silver Ridge, that adage does not apply, says Portrait Homes marketing and sales manager Troy Steine. “People here really, truly love their homes. They’re very comfortable, and the location is amazing,” he says. Set in a unique, 105-acre parkland master-planned community, Silver Ridge homes are spacious, with backyards designed for children and avid gardeners. More than 40 per cent of CONTINUED ON P.5
Portrait Homes’ The Crest at Silver Ridge, a master-planned community of single-family detached homes in Maple Ridge, has won more than 60 industry awards, including Customer’s Choice and Best Residential Community in Canada.
Coquitlam House Price Comparison for May 2009 $800,000
$760,320
$750,000 $700,000 $650,000
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$600,000 $550,000
NEW Morningstar Home
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New Local Home | May 21, 2009 • 5
Silver Ridge backyards designed for children
Homes at The Crest at Silver Ridge, above and below, are set in a 105-acre parkland master-planned community, yet are still close to the amenities and services offered in Maple Ridge. The Portrait Homes neighbourhood is being built in phases. During the month of May, potential homebuyers can ask about newly introduced buyer incentives.
Community wins more than 60 awards CONTINUED FROM P.4
the new Maple Ridge neighbourhood is preserved as green space, and offers forested groves, winding creeks, bike paths and nature trails to explore. But at the same time, local amenities are nearby, Steine says. “You’re virtually minutes away from anything in the centre of town, in a really quiet, natural setting with some amazing views.” Potential homebuyers compare the location to North Vancouver when they come and see the community, he adds. The single-family homes, designed with distinctive West Coast-Whistler inspired exteriors, are offered in a range of sizes and floor plans. Front and backyards have three times more topsoil than conventional communities, to absorb rainfall and reduce the need for watering. Silver Ridge homes are Built Green certified, which means they meet energy efficient and environmentally sustainable standards. That equals energy cost savings for the homeowner immediately, and a
better resale value down the road. Steine notes that Portrait Homes has won an unprecedented total of 63 major industry awards for Silver Ridge alone (105 industry awards since 1989), including 12 Gold Georgies from 2004-2008, in categories including Best Residential Development in B.C. and the Customer Choice Award for best single-family home builder. “For us to have that (customers’) acknowledgement really means the most,” Steine says. Silver Ridge also received a Gold SAM award for the Best Residential Community in Canada. The neighbourhood is being constructed in phases, but many families have already moved into their Silver Ridge homes; work is currently happening on Phase 4A. For the month of May, there are also buyer incentives – such as design upgrades – that have just been introduced, Steine notes, depending on the plan the homebuyer chooses. Visit The Crest at Silver Ridge at 2285 137th Avenue, Maple Ridge, or online at www.portraithomes.ca
6 • New Local Home | May 21, 2009
Central, quiet and private
Come home to Wills Creek Townhomes are centrally located in a natural setting Nature trails and a clear, winding creek are at the back door. Shops, businesses, schools, local beaches and popular recreation sites are minutes away. Across the street, there’s the Morgan Creek Golf Course, and on-site, an exclusive club for homeowners who choose to buy a new home at Wills Creek. The townhome community, set in a scenic South Surrey location, offers all of the above and more to homebuyers, says Emaar Properties (Canada) Ltd. director of sales and marketing Dana Samis. The neighbourhood’s premier location is what many homeowners who already live at Wills Creek love, Samis says.
Wills Creek townhomes, above and below, are in a central South Surrey location, just across the street from Morgan Creek Golf Course. The neighbourhood is surrounded by scenic, natural beauty, and many of the community’s homes back right onto Wills Creek itself.
CONTINUED ON P.9
New Local Home | May 21, 2009 • 7
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Well designed by nature. A Parkside Collection of Georgian Rowhomes TATTON offers the perfect blend of thoughtful design and a tranquil neighbourhood setting. These three and four bedroom rowhomes border Victoria Park and Leigh Elementary School. With MOSAIC’s reputation for unique design and quality, an accessible price makes TATTON a rare ďŹ nd.
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8 • New Local Home | May 21, 2009
New residences offer more than ever
Enjoy the benefits of a brand new home
Energy performance Thanks to better construction and better products like windows and heating and cooling systems, a new home will reduce your energy costs, year after year – a comforting thought in a world of uncertain energy prices. Talk with your builder about opportunities to cut energy use throughout the house.
Other green features Materials with recycled content, or made from renewable resources. Non-toxic products. “Clean air” features. Reduced water consumption. Buying a brand-new home makes it easy to incorporate green choices up front to reduce the environmental impact of your home and enhance your lifestyle.
Today’s new homes offer more than ever. When you are ready to buy a home, one of your first decisions should be to visit the new home builders in your area and explore what’s available. The Greater Vancouver Home Builders’ Association suggests that you consider the following pointers:
You know what you’re getting When you buy new, you take the guesswork out of home ownership. You know how the home is built and what’s behind the walls. The builder will explain what to expect, how to operate and maintain the systems, and how to take care of various components in your home. That’s very reassuring, whether it’s your first home or your fifth.
Get what you want When you buy a brand new home, you can tailor it to suit your own taste and preferences, right from the beginning. You don’t have to “settle for less” or live
Designs for the way you live
Today’s new homes are different than the dwellings of yesteryear – they keep getting better.
with someone else’s decisions, or spend extra time and money setting things right.
Better construction It is a fact that “they don’t build them like they used to.” Today’s new homes are better than ever – built to the latest codes and standards, using state-of-the-art construction techniques and materials. A brand-new home is an investment in comfort and quality living.
No repairs for a long time When everything in your home is new, you can plan ahead financially for a number of
years, with the confidence that your budget will not be strained by sudden and unexpected expenses due to items in your home that breakdown or wear-out.
A third-party warranty Enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing that your new home is protected by a warranty. Be sure to ask your builder for detailed information, and never buy a home without third-party warranty. Many of the products used in your home are also covered by the manufacturers’ warranties for an extended time.
Bright open spaces with lots of windows and natural light make “home” a warm and wonderful place to be. Well-designed kitchens, work and storage areas give busy families a break. Entertainment rooms gather the household for relaxation. New home builders understand and build for the needs of the modern family.
Convenience, low maintenance Expect to spend less time “keeping house” and more time enjoying the things in your life that really matter. Your builder will show you how to look after your home to maintain its beauty and ensure that everything stays in great operating condition, with minimum effort and cost. For more information on new homes, visit www.gvhba.org Source: Greater Vancouver Home Builders’ Association
ACT NOW FOR PRE-COMPLETION PRICING ON THE NEWEST RELEASES AT SILVER RIDGE! With a wide range of single family locations now available, a wide range of prices from the low 400’s to the low 600’s and the opportunity to customize your interior finishings, this may indeed be the most timely real estate opportunity for you this year. Discover the unique values and features found in a Portrait Home. These alpine-inspired residences stand apart for their innovative design, impeccable craftsmanship, extremely spacious floor plans and spectacular view settings.
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portraithomes.ca | 604-466-9278 The developer reserves the right to make modifications and changes to the information contained herein. Prices exclude GST and are subject to availability. E. & O.E.
New Local Home | May 21, 2009 • 9
Energy savings from geothermal heating, cooling
Creek creates a quiet, private milieu CONTINUED FROM P.6
Plus, the attention to detail in every aspect of design – interior, exterior and landscaping – is an added bonus, she adds. “Everything that would be an upgrade elsewhere is standard here,” she says, pointing to the 10-foot-high ceilings, built-in closet organizers, crown mouldings and baseboards that automatically come with Wills Creek homes. Gourmet kitchens and stainless steel Energy Star-rated appliances complement the quality finishes everywhere, in a style that blends contemporary elegance with traditional charm. A BC Hydro EnerGuide gold-level community, Wills Creek also features geothermal heating and cooling in every home, which means it’s not only better for the environment, it saves the homeowner money in energy cost savings. Wills Creek townhomes are 2,300 to 4,400 square feet on three levels, Samis says, adding the energy bill with a typical , fossil fuelburning furnace would likely be around $250 to $350 a month. At Wills Creek, that bill will be $112 to $119 per month, she notes. There is also the Creek Club, a private clubhouse for homeowners that offers several opportunities for indoor and outdoor recreation. Outside, there’s a bocce ball field, walking paths and a spacious, heated outdoor pool and hot tub. Inside, there’s a fitness studio, games room, meeting facilities and a lounge.
“Everything that would be an upgrade elsewhere is standard here,” says Emaar Properties director of sales and marketing Dana Samis, referring to Wills Creek (above, below). The South Surrey community also features a private clubhouse, heated pool and hot tub.
Will Creek runs through the community, Samis says, with many of the townhomes backing right onto the creek. “It creates a very quiet, very private feel.” More than 30 homes are ready for ho-
meowners to move in, while phases four and five are still under construction. When complete, the entire community will feature just over 100 homes, now priced from the mid-$500,000s range.
The neighbourhood is “the best choice in Morgan Creek,” according to its website. Find out for yourself at www.willscreek.ca, or visit the homes yourself, on 32nd Avenue, between 160th and 168th streets.
10 • New Local Home | May 21, 2009
New in your neighbourhood Polygon Homes: Branches Address: 1111 East 27th Street, North Vancouver Home-types: two- and three-bedroom apartment residences Price: from $389,900 Online: www.polyhomes.com
An artist’s rendering of Branches, above, and a quiet corner of a living room. THE DEAL: Branches is a collection of twoand three-bedroom apartment residences in North Vancouver’s Lynn Valley neighbourhood. Nestled in a quiet residential enclave, Branches is close to shopping, schools, community amenities, and transit and commuter routes. It is also just minutes away from the wilderness that North Vancouver is famous for – hiking and mountain biking trails, skiing, snowboarding, rock climbing and other opportunities to enjoy nature are all at the doorstep. Designed by Raymond Letkeman Architects Inc., Branches features heavy timbers, brick, glazing, and a peaceful, landscaped courtyard.
NOW SELLING
OUTSIDE: The lowrise condo features architecture that pays tribute to the Pacific Northwest, with generous patios and decks for relaxing in the B.C. outdoors. Located between Burrard Inlet and majestic mountain ranges, North Vancouver is the perfect home location for people who enjoy the outdoors. Hiking, biking, skiing, ’boarding, kayaking or boating – the city has venues for it all. Schools – including Capilano University – shops, restaurants and other services are nearby as well. INSIDE: Gourmet kitchens with granite counters, shaker-style wood cabinetry and sleek stainless steel appliances await inside. Open living spaces and sophisticated interior design make each Branches home unique and attractive. Homeowners have access to on-site amenities, including a fitness studio, a meeting room and a guest suite.
>>Nearby amenities Transit: Close to Lion’s Gate and Ironworkers Memorial bridges, Highway 1, downtown Vancouver Shopping: Lynn Valley Shopping Centre, Lonsdale Quay, downtown Vancouver, Park Royal (West Van) Recreation: Lynn Canyon, Mount Seymour, Grouse Mountain (the Grouse Grind), Deep Cove, Capilano Suspension Bridge
Polygon Homes’ Branches in North Vancouver offers homebuyers two- and three-bedroom apartment residences (above and below). Surrounded by the area’s spectacular natural surroundings, Branches is also just a short drive to Vancouver, and close to local amenities. The lowrise condo features Pacific Northwest-inspired architecture, with details such as dramatic timber entries and low-pitched roofs.
New Local Home | May 21, 2009 • 11
Above, some of the choices of stone finishes offered at Burnaby’s Preferred Handcraft Stone. Below left, a photo shows how Stor-More products can help organize a child’s room.
Homegrown successes CONTINUED FROM P.2
Many are using creativity and innovation to tap into untouched markets. Garador is a shining example of this. Currently in its third year of operations, it is the only manufacturer of residential automated B&D Roll-A-Doors in North America and it has set up camp in Richmond with the aim of introducing its product to Greater Vancouver, Western Canada, and the U.S. – markets typically dominated by sectional garage doors. “In Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Australia and anywhere, really, roll-ups are the standard for garage doors,” says Garador Richmond-based Garador offers the only residential autoPresident, Ark Lewandowski. mated B&D Roll-A-Doors in North America. Rob Newell photo “It’s a brand-new product [here], it’s an exciting product, and people are realizing there’s an alternative to the traditionpany, but by selling a product that is truly characteristic of al, sectional doors.” Greater Vancouver. Lewandowski cites the problems associated with sectional “It’s the trend for sure,” he says. garage doors – constant maintenance hassle and reduced “It’s amazing, some of these people that have garage space – as reasons to go with the trendy put it up on even older houses. The curb appeal chic of roll-up doors, as more and more pop up in that comes with adding rock on a house is amaznew homes around Greater Vancouver. “It’s a branding.” Successful forays into home shows and its asnew product Naturally, this means that B.C.’s residential style sociation with distributor Westgate Doors have is spreading to the rest of Canada, even the East helped Garador’s sales grow, despite the idle (here), it’s an where eyes remain fixated on the province’s economy. exciting product, Coast, visual splendour. Lewandowski also notes Garador’s recent and people are “You’ll see a lot of the trends that are set in the expansion into Calgary as a catalyst that is sure to provoke increased national interest in his realizing there’s B.C. market, and they tend to be picked up in AlManitoba, and Saskatchewan,” Boylan says. products. an alternative to berta, Preferred Handcraft Stone even offers options Local products are also having to fit the design the traditional, that ensure the house your buying is made from of new homes in Greater Vancouver and their own unique, West Coast style – one that draws sectional doors.” stone found only in Greater Vancouver. “There’s different stones for different regions, people to our shores in droves every year. but we’ve got a whole line of stones that identifies In nowhere is this style more evident than in stone finishes. with the West Coast,” he says. It’s become an unofficial West Coast custom for many homes Like the rest of these featured companies, Preferred Handin Greater Vancouver to have a craftsman-style look, symbolcraft Stone’s ability to mesh with customer’s desires has given ized by cultured stone exteriors on many new homes. it considerable success. After taking over the company from Michael Boylan, owner of Preferred Handcraft Stone in another owner four years ago, Boylan says the company has Burnaby, knows this well. progressed to “the next level” by increasing its production His company, which manufactures cultured stone made capabilities and quality control by tenfold. from cement, has benefitted not just from being a local com-
It all goes towards padding the area’s nationwide reputation as a mecca for new home design. And with so much development and production coming from the “left coast,” it truly appears to be a homemade success – one that we have exclusive access to.
12 • New Local Home | May 21, 2009
Come home to
$15,000
You could WIN $15,000 worth of furnishings, home electronics and groceries . . . from Visions Electronics, Save-On-Foods and The Brick. Contest runs May 7 to May 31, 2009. Check out MetroVancouver’s new homes and play along each week to increase your chance of winning.
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For new home locations, see their ads in this edition. Only one entry, per week, per new home development. Contest closes May 31/09.
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New Local Home | May 21, 2009 • 13
Creating a home you want to live in
Turning a passion into a living
Interior designer Sheryn Calvert in her North Shore studio. Below, a wall tattoo of a surfer that Calvert designed graces a youth’s bedroom in a Silver Ridge home.
‘Creating a home that people want to spend time in is important,’ says North Shore designer The North Shore studio has won six prestigious awards – one gold Georgie Award, four silver Georgies, and the Major Achievement Some people look at an empty room and in Market Excellence Award – and is involved see... an empty room. Others, like Sheryn in several current building projects, from Calvert, see an empty room and immediately Richmond to Whistler to Maple Ridge. start thinking about how they can turn it into Creating interiors that fit a home is differan open and efficient space that is also pleasent for each housing development, ing to the eye. but Calvert and her design team Calvert, who has worked as take note of what is happening in an interior designer for 23 years, “To create the industry. always knew her calling. She something in Built-in millwork, such as shelvtook courses including applied your mind and ing and cabinetry, is extremely design and drafting in high prevalent in homes now, she says. school, but to make sure she seeing it get “Homes are smaller now, and would enter the field she really built is extremely we need more space for storage so wanted, her father helped her there’s less clutter.” arrange interviews with profes- rewarding.” When it comes to colours, there sionals working in six different aren’t really any discernible fads or trends, design industries, from fashion to interior to since everyone’s taste is different and the graphic design. choice is personal, Calvert says, but adds that After asking her questions at every job, designers and consumers alike are affected Calvert’s mind was firmly focused on interior by what is happening in European design, design – and she hasn’t looked back since. including faucet and tile styles. “I’ve always been creative... I like the fact While colours vary from person to person, that what I do every day is different,” she says. Calvert does point out that whites and greys “To create something in your mind and seeare often in demand for interiors, with black ing it get built is extremely rewarding.” and lilac emerging as recent accent colours. Calvert has been hired by several Lower And wallpaper, which was “totally gone a Mainland-based development companies few years ago,” is making a comeback, Calvert over the years, mainly working with Adera says. Designers always think about the homDevelopment Corp., as well as for developers eowners’ lifestyles, she notes. in Alberta and the U.S. Now a senior partner “We’re finding that entertaining at home is with Adera, Calvert has run her own business, very popular, so creating a home that people Calvert Design Studio, for 15 years.
TRICIA LESLIE
want to spend time in is important.” She and her design team work to stay on top of new trends and products related to the field, and attend Design NorthWest, an annual trade show, every February. Each month, Calvert conducts a “product day,” and peruses what is available in the way of tiles, fabrics, wallpapers, lighting design and more. She and her team also go on “competition days,” field trips to go and see what products other designers are using. They also visit industry websites and subscribe to trade magazines including Interior Design. For some projects, Calvert and her team must take into consideration several factors, such as VANOC (Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games) regulations for the
interiors on five Athlete’s Village condos in Whistler. The condos will be retrofitted to become housing for employees after the Games, Calvert notes - and that was another facotr in the design equation. Other projects, like Portrait Homes’ Silver Ridge, remind Calvert of another trend that is becoming fashionable: wall tattoos. They can be designed in every shape and size, and are actually removable stickers, Calvert says, and mentions a full-size, eightfoot high mural-like surfer wall tattoo the wall of a bedroom in a Silver Ridge home. While she knows styles and trends within the industry will likely always change, Calvert says she’ll remain content doing her job every day, because it is diverse and dynamic. And, as always – her passion.
14 • New Local Home | May 21, 2009
coffee with...
Future bright for North Vancouver ‘We’re feeling really good’ in terms of residential development, says city spokesman A sculpture at the City of North Vancouver’s Waterfront Park highlights the area’s scenic beauty.
KOLBY SOLINSKY Location, location, location. On the North Shore, that phrase means almost everything to new home buyers who seek both a panoramic view over Burrard Inlet and a plethora of physical activity. “The city is a huge attraction for people who are active,” says Richard White, director of community development for the City of North Vancouver. A natural draw for new home buyers, North Vancouver condenses all commercial and extracurricular necessities that people seek within its borders. That feeling is also not lost on many developers and real estate firms, says Bonita Anderson, with Sutton Group Westcoast and the new Alina Living condos in Lonsdale. “The area has been very successful and neighbourhood-oriented, with extra amenities including restaurants and shopping, and it’s clean and convenient,” she says. As further proof, White cites a great hospi-
tal, public school facilities, shopping centres, a new Extra Foods store and the recentlyopened North Vancouver City Library and Spirit Square Civic Plaza in ‘the heart of the City.’ And of course, one can’t forget the range of terrain that the city offers. “You can park your boat at the Marina, go for a short walk to Lonsdale, and 20 minutes later you could be up on the ski hill,” he says. Not to mention, the city’s location allows for quick service to downtown on the Seabus, which quickly jaunts off to Vancouver’s Waterfront Station. Additionally, streetcars connect residents and visitors of the Lonsdale area with the scenic Lynn Valley and Capilano regions. While housing starts are expected to be slow this year, White says that new residential permits are still being issued. “We’re feeling really good about the future of the city of North Vancouver in terms of residential development,” he says. “We’re facing a period of adjustment right now.” While the economy has a lot to do with
this, White also sees changes occurring in the ways a silver lining. “Before, a year-and-a-half types of homes built in the City, and or two years ago, people couldn’t find new emerging trends. a contractor,” White says. “But now “Historically, in the City of North there’s plenty looking for jobs.” Vancouver - the more urban part Perhaps most impressively, the city most of our development is multiple remains proud of its environmental family, but we do get a fair number of success, especially in residential develsmall projects,” says White. “I think opments. Eventually, the city plans to the market is changing for multiple channel heat to houses and buildings families, so we do have a number of using sources that don’t require the Richard White burning of fossil fuels, or greenhouse projects poised to start construction.” Although North Vancouver is often gases. Currently, North Vancouver has defined by its condominiums and townhouses a district energy system, where heat is pro(as well as commercial high rises), there is still vided through hot water rather than steam. a wide variety of new, sophisticated residences “It’s a great, environmentally sensitive way for buyers to browse through. to produce hot water,” he says. “It’s coming “Nobody’s stopped their development,” he in more places and it’s something to make says. people aware of.” It’s a shiny outlook, even for an area that There is certainly no shortage to meet already boasts such natural beauty. customer demands in North Vancouver and, As always, the housing market in the City if everything goes according to plan, the area of North Vancouver – and Greater Vancouver, will remain a premier location for new home for that matter – is competitive. But there’s albuyers in the future.
New Local Home | May 21, 2009 • 15 (1)
Squamish
(2) North Shore
(6)
Port Moody Port Coquitlam
(4)
(7-8)
(5)
Vancouver
(12)
(9) Coquitlam
(3)
(11) (14) (13) (17) (16)
(10) Burnaby/New Westminster
(33)
Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows
(34) (18)
(32) (31)
(20) (21)
(39)
(35)
(30)
(29)
Surrey
Richmond (19) North Delta
(40)
(42)
(37) (38)
(45) (49)
(36)
(46)
(43) (47) (48) (44)
Langley
(27) (40) (24) (26) (22) (26)(23) (28) White Rock/South Surrey South Delta
On Tour
Port Coquitlam
(32)Turnstone
Surrey
(16)Links
14-19490 Fraser Way, Pitt Meadows
(41)Augusta at Provinceton
2418 Avon Place, Port Coquitlam. 604-460-9907
New Westminster
18199 70th Ave, 778-571-1088
Squamish
Port Moody
(1)Skye-Soleil-Acqua Presentation Centre, 121 Lonsdale, North Van. 604-904-2240, 604-616-1215
(2)Furry Creek-Ocean Crest 415- Furry Creek Dr. 604-315-0172
Vancouver (3)Carrington Oak Street & 45th Ave. 604-266-6500
(4)Pacific UBC Westbrook Village. 604-221-8878
(5)Aura 5437 Willow Street & West 38th Ave. 604-264-6477
(17)Heritage Woods 300 Panorama Place, Port Moody
Richmond (18)Alexandra Gate
(9)Altaire 9222 UniverCity Crescent. 604-298-1182
(45)The Highlands at Sullivan Ridge (46)The Estates at Vistas West
7180 No.3 Road-Bennett. 604-270-8305
16327 60th Ave. 778-574-1380
(20)Prado
(37)Radiance at Sundance
(47)Tate
No.3 Road & Lansdowne. 604-276-8180
8385 Delsom Way. 604-581-8144
18983-72A Avenue, Surrey
(21)Hennessy Green
(38)Cardinal Pointe
(48)Vista’s west
9800 Odlin. 604-303-6840
10605 Delsom Crescent, Delta
6093 - 164 Street, Surrey
160th & 24th Ave. 604-542-8995
(23)Glenmore at Morgan Heights
Langley
(49)Panorama Hills 15038 - 59 Avenue, Surrey
(39)Bedford Landing
(49)Nuvo
23015 Billy Brown Road. 604-888-2176
15454 - 32 Avenue, South Surrey
(40)Seasons & Prelude at Milner Heights 208th St & 72nd Ave. 604-539-9484
161A St. & 24th Ave. 604-542-8863
(24)The Brownstones Morgan Heights. 604-538-9897
(25)Wills Creek 160th & 32nd Ave. 604-542-6200
(26)Nuvo 15454 - 32 Avenue, South Surrey
(10)Levo
(27)Morgan Heights
1170 Pinetree Way & Northern Ave. 604-464-5856
26th Ave & 164th Street. 604-531-1111, 604-420-4200
(11)The Foothills
(28)Ocean Park
Burke Mountain. 604-944-3188
2026-128th Street. 604-538-2345
Victoria Drive, Coquitlam. 604-696-1502
Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows
(13)Whitetail Lane
(29)Falcon Hill
1357 Purcell Drive. 604-552-3003
23719 Kanaka Way. 604-466-5723
(14) Belmont
(30)Crest at Silver Ridge
1456 Avondale Street. 604-461-7113
22850 Foreman Drive. 604-466-9278
(15) Burke Mountain Heights
(31)Solo
3398 Don Moore Drive, Coquitlam. 778-285-6299
11749 223rd Street. 604-467-0800
Map_pgTEMPLATE_May14 1
70th & 180th Street. 604-818-3702
7445 Scott Road. 604-590-5483
Coquitlam
(12)Tatton
Ewen Ave & Furness St., Queensborough. 604-520-9890
(44)Woods at Provinceton
(36)Trend
(22)Highland Park
1960 Beta Ave. 604-205-7228
(35)Red Boat
2729-158th Street. 604-541-4246
(19)Centro
1111 E 27th Street. 604-988-8489
(8)Brentwood Gate-The Varley
Renaissance Square @ Quayside Drive. 604-515-9112
(43)Kaleden
60A Ave & 146th Street. 604-538-2125
South Surrey-White Rock
Wilson & Beresford. 604-456-0688
(34)Q at Westminster Quay
8678 156 Street. 604-591-1121
Cambie-Garden City. 604-279-8866
(6)Branches on the North Shore
(7)Jewel
McBride Ave. 604-523-0733
(42)Springfield Village
Delta
North Shore
Burnaby
(33)Victoria Hill
New houses are available at Portrait Homes’ The Crest at Silver Ridge, at 22845 137th Avenue in Maple Ridge.
5/12/09 11:18:41 AM
16 • New Local Home | May 21, 2009
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