LIVE THE WELL-CRAFTED LIFE / WINTER 2016/17
MAGAZINE
BRIANJESSEL BMW’s Next 100 Years
What the Future Looks Like Now
Fantasy Island
Three Mind-Bending Drives on Maui
Urban Legend
Building Better Cities with Architect Gregory Henriquez
Ultimate Road Trip
Pick Up Your Dream BMW Right off the Line
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/ winter 2016/17 /
BRIANJESSEL
MAGAZINE
DEPARTMENTS
14 A NOTE FROM JIM 16 DEAR BRIAN Letters and kudos from our clients.
19 GREENLIGHT
19 The Best of Both Worlds The new BMW 330e is equal parts eco-warrior and road racer.
22 An Electrifying Move
The new electric X5 hybrid is a category-busting SUV.
24 Employee of Note
Meet Senior Sales Manager Raj Desor. PLUS What Brian Jessel staff love most about their job.
26 STYLE & SUSTAINABILITY The latest BMW gear both on and off the road.
28 PROFILE
Model City
For architect Gregory Henriquez, good design hinges on people, not just places.
34 ESCAPE
Maui Is for Drivers
The island may channel a laid-back vibe, but there’s no sitting back on any of its epic driving routes.
40 FOOD
Star Power
In Vancouver’s steakhouse firmament, Gotham shines bright.
42 WINE
The Best Value Wines Right Now
And perfect places around Vancouver to sip great grapes.
56 EVENTS
Great Conversation
Brian Jessel BMW teams up with industry heavyweights for another round of the M Power Speaker Series.
34
58 LAST LAP
Send us a picture of your BMW and you could win a prize pack worth over $500.
On the cover
Take a peek at what BMW will look like over the next 100 years.
FEATURES
44 RISE OF THE MACHINES
Four visionary concept vehicles set the course for BMW’s next century of innovation.
50 IF YOU BUILD IT, HE WILL COME
28 10
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Picking up your BMW at the Welt is a once-in-a-lifetime experience; Brian Jessel managing partner Jim Murray shares his European adventure.
PHOTOS: CLOCKWISE FROM TOP RIGHT: DOUGLAS PEEBLES/GETTY IMAGES, BMW, CARLO RICCI
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
LUMINOR 1 950 8 D AYS G M T A C C I A I O - 4 4 M M ( R E F. 2 3 3 )
855 WEST HASTING ST . VANCOUVER . TEL. 604 685 3885
TERMINAL CITY CLUB . VANCOUVER . TEL. 604 685 3885
BRIANJESSEL
/ contributors /
MAGAZINE
VOLUME 11 / ISSUE 2 BRIAN JESSEL BMW PRESIDENT & CEO Brian Jessel
MANAGING PARTNER Jim
Murray Zoppa
MARKETING MANAGER & EDITOR Diana
PUBLISHED BY
Amanda Ross Keller CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER Jeremy Ng CONTRIBUTING WRITER Andrew McCredie EDITORIAL INTERN Daniela Rodríguez Chevalier ART INTERN Marina Bender EDITOR
ART DIRECTOR Jim
Michael Harris is a Vancouverbased author whose first book, The End of Absence, won a Governor General’s Literary Award in 2014. In this issue of Brian Jessel, he sits down with architect Gregory Henriquez for a look at how to build better cities (“Model City,” page 28), starting right here in Vancouver. Harris’s new book, Solitude, will be published in April 2017.
A commercial photographer and director who splits his time between L.A. and Vancouver, Carlo Ricci specializes in editorial portraiture, motion and advertising. His previous clients include Mazda, Condé Nast and MasterCard. For this issue, he captured our profile subject, Gregory Henriquez (“Model City,” page 28). Carloricci.com
Dee Dhaliwal Anicka Quin
GENERAL MANAGER & PUBLISHER EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
ART DIRECTOR, VANCOUVER MAGAZINE/WL
Paul Roelofs
Dale McCarthy Laura Lilley ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Kaitlyn Gendemann PRODUCTION MANAGER Lee Tidsbury GRAPHIC DESIGNER Swin Chai MARKETING ASSISTANT Kaitlyn Lush MARKETING & EVENTS MANAGER EVENT CO-ORDINATOR
ADVERTISING SALES ADVERTISING SALES DIRECTOR
Edwin Rizarri
ACCOUNT MANAGERS
Deanna Bartolomeu, Judy Johnson SALES CO-ORDINATOR Karina Platon ADVERTISING EMAIL
edwin.rizarri@ypnexthome.ca PRESIDENT Jacky Hill DIRECTOR, NATIONAL SALES & CHANNEL MANAGEMENT, LIFESTYLE
Nadine Starr
Michael White freelances for publications across Canada and around the world. His acclaimed debut book, the music biography Popkiss: The Life and Afterlife of Sarah Records, was published internationally last year by Bloomsbury. This issue, he looks at steakhouse icon Gotham (“Star Power,” page 40) as well as managing partner Jim Murray’s adventure at the BMW Welt (“If You Build It, He Will Come,” page 50). Follow him on Twitter at @bequietmichael. 12
BrianJesselBMW.com • WINTER 2016/17
Vancouver-based freelance wine consultant, presenter and writer Kurtis Kolt counts the Sommelier of the Year Award from the 2010 Vancouver International Wine Festival as props. He’s also certified by London’s Wine & Spirit Education Trust, with experience ranging from a profile in Wine Enthusiast magazine to an appearance at New York’s James Beard House. This issue, he shares his vino insight for the upcoming season (“The Best Value Wines Right Now,” page 42). Kurtiskolt.com
NATIONAL SALES DIRECTOR
Moe Lalani Legge
DIRECTOR OF CONTENT Susan
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/ jim’s note /
A NOTE FROM JIM MURRAY
The Next 100
Sincerely,
Jim Murray
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BrianJesselBMW.com • WINTER 2016/17
PHOTO: ANDREW ALMARZA
I
what the automotive business (let alone the world) will look like in the next 100 years. But I feel lucky to work with the BMW Group, which, while reflecting on and celebrating their 100-year history, is uniquely poised to meet the challenges of the next 100 years. Case in point: the BMW VISION NEXT 100 concept car is a four-wheel glimpse into technological advances in artificial intelligence, astonishing new materials and intuitive technology that will open up endless possibilities for BMW drivers now and in the future. And one BMW driver in particular— me!—had the downright emotional experience of picking up my new BMW M4 GTS at the BMW Welt in Munich, Germany. I’ve recounted my story in this issue, and the one thing I love is this opportunity is available to any prospective BMW buyer with a little extra time and desire to see how these amazing machines are created. That visit capped off a 2016 that was anything but dull. Changes in B.C. real estate were a hot topic as was the U.S. election, but as I came to work each day and gazed upon the new models rolling out, I couldn’t help but think how lucky we are to live in Vancouver. Here at Brian Jessel BMW, we’re so proud to be a part of this city—and a part of the way you drive. I wish to personally thank all of our customers for their support—I’m looking forward to spending 2017 together. T’S HARD TO IMAGINE
Jim Murray at the BMW Welt 2016
The superlative-charged chronograph. 50 mm case in BreitlightÂŽ. Exclusive Manufacture Breitling Caliber B12 with 24-hour military-style display. Officially chronometer-certified.
/ dear brian /
Correspondence, observations and praise from the esteemed clientele of Brian Jessel BMW
Surprise Party W E R E C E N T LY W E N T T H R O U G H T H E
car-buying experience for my wife at your Boundary location. We’re both 55 years old so we’ve had the opportunity to buy many vehicles over the course of our lives. I had the pleasure of dealing with Khan Parveez, whom I had dealt with before when I bought another brand back in 2007. He was a very
Patience Is a Virtue A F T E R F O U R M O N T H S O F R AT H E R
intensive research on what car to buy, going to various dealerships and receiving not-so-stellar service, it was a delight when Nelson Pang found the perfect car for me! Thank you so much for letting me test drive so many cars, answering a million questions and understanding what I was looking for. I’m enjoying driving it more than I ever imagined, and I appreciate all you did to help me find the right car. I’m a very happy customer. Sincerely,
Zan Romeder Nelson Pang
Francis Poon
Khan Parveez
Relationship Building I WO U L D L I K E T O TA K E T H I S O P P O RT U N I T Y
Best regards,
Joseph R. LaLeggia, C.A. | President Meridian OneCap 16
BrianJesselBMW.com • WINTER 2016/17
Thank you again!
Gary Chan
TALK TO US Info@BrianJesselBMW.com @BrianJesselBMW Brian Jessel BMW @BrianJesselBMW See our photo contest on page 58! Or write us a note: Brian Jessel BMW is located at 2311 Boundary Rd. Vancouver, B.C. V5M 4W5 Please include your full name and phone number. Letters may be edited for length and clarity.
PHOTOS: BRIAN JESSEL
helpful gentleman back then and I was glad to see that he hasn’t changed. He felt like someone trying to fill a need for us, rather than someone trying to sell us something. He also helped me surprise my wife with the right vehicle and had the folks at the dealership participate in the great surprise. He is a true professional, and whenever I think of my next vehicle, I will certainly be giving Khan a call.
to compliment one of your staff, Francis Poon. I have another luxury-brand vehicle and I’ve been going through a lot of repairs and servicing. Francis recommended I lease a vehicle from BMW and then I wouldn’t get into the same type of trouble. As I am a very busy person, he continued to contact me, and we went back and forth through email to determine my needs. I really think his service is outstanding and I’ve shopped for cars a lot in the last 10 years. I’ve never met a salesperson who has this high a standard of service. Thank you so much for all your help, and I will be picking up my new 428i tomorrow. After the service I received from him, I’m proud to be a Brian Jessel customer and I will be recommending Francis to all my friends.
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/ greenlight / News and Highlights for the Discerning BMW Owner
WINTER 2016/17
Best of Both Worlds
BY ANDREW McCREDIE
PHOTOS: BMW
The
All-new plug-in hybrid sports sedan produces low emissions and elicits howls of delight from those who love to drive.
WINTER 2016/17• BrianJesselBMW.com
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O
N E O F T H E G R E AT E S T conundrums of 21st-century motoring is how to tread softer on the planet without treading softer on the accelerator pedal. And as it turns out, the creative iPerformance engineers at BMW have come up with an inspired solution. The 2017 BMW 330e is a plug-in hybrid sports sedan that achieves excellent fuel efficiency without sacrificing performance. The proof is in the numbers: a combined fuel economy rating of just 7.4 l/100 km, yet a zero-to-100-km/h time of 6.1 seconds and a top speed of 225 km/h. Better yet, apart from its internal electrified wizardry, the 330e shares all the attributes, luxury accoutrements and superior styling cues of the world’s best-selling luxury sedan, the BMW 3 Series. Who says you can’t have it all? At the heart of this eco-warrior beats a 252-horsepower powertrain with 164 of those ponies coming from a 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-four gasoline engine, while the remaining 88 come from an electric motor/generator. Feeding these respective units are a 40.8-litre gas tank and a 7.6-kWh air-cooled lithium-ion battery pack tucked out of the way under the trunk floor. The brains of the operation: the threesetting Drive Mode button located on the sport-shifter console between the front seats. The Max eDrive setting engages full electric mode, meaning no tailpipe emissions and silent running. With a fully charged battery pack, you can travel in Max eDrive mode for up to 22.5 kilometres and at a maximum speed of up to 120 km/h. If some push-to-pass acceleration is required, simply step on the right pedal and the turbo four-cylinder gas engine kicks in to provide the required thrust. The default setting is Auto eDrive mode, which differs only from Max eDrive in that
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BrianJesselBMW.com • WINTER 2016/17
Sitting pretty: the 330e is all elegance with no tailpipe emissions and silent running.
the speed threshold for switching from electric to gasoline propulsion kicks in at 80 km/h rather than 120. The third setting is Save Battery mode, which does just as advertised—and a little more. In addition to keeping the wheels turning without electric propulsion, this mode charges the battery pack up to the 50 per cent level in order to ensure some zero-emission driving is possible. As more city centres institute zeroemission driving zones, this kind of technology will be integral for driving in urban environments. It’s not the first time
BMW has looked into the future to engineer vehicles today that will be necessary tomorrow. Much of this fuel-saving, low-emission technology comes from the iPerformance division of BMW, architects of the revolutionary i3 and i8 vehicles. The automaker’s ever-growing stable of plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) falls under the iPerformance brand, and the 330e is joined by a 5 Series and X5 in the PHEV ranks. But don’t expect the company to stop there. Of course, the P in PHEV stands for plug-in, and the 330e uses one to charge the
GREEN SCREEN The 330e delivers performance without pollution.
POWER 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged gasoline engine and electric motor
HORSEPOWER 164 (gas) + 88 (electric) = 252 total
TRANSMISSION Eight-speed automatic
FUEL ECONOMY (L/100 KM) City 8.4; hwy. 6.3; combined 7.4; all-electric mode 3.3
With a 240-volt charge point, the 330e’s battery can be fully charged in just two-and-a-half hours.
This kind of technology will be integral for driving in urban environments.
lithium-ion battery. The charge port door is located on the driver’s side front fender directly behind the front wheel, and using a 240-volt charge point—such as BMW’s i Wallbox—the battery can be charged from depleted to full in just two and a half hours. Using a standard 120-volt charge point, the time is closer to six hours. Far from inhibiting performance, the electric motor enhances the 330e’s off-theline speed, besting its conventional gaspowered 2.0-litre 3 Series counterpart by nearly a second in the quarter-mile dash. The exquisite exterior of the 330e is
much the same as its sinewy 3 Series stablemates, save for that charge port door on the front fender and some tasteful eDrive badging on the C-pillars. Likewise, the 330e’s spacious cabin shares all the sport-inspired design cues and luxurious appointments that 3 Series owners have come to expect— and appreciate. The 2017 330e is a remarkable vehicle in so many ways, the least of which is that it underscores, in equal measures, BMW’s commitment to both the future of our environment and the spirit of driving. Plug and play was never so much fun. WINTER 2016/17• BrianJesselBMW.com
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Electrifying Move
An
BMW’s first-ever plug-in hybrid blazed the trail for the company’s ongoing march into the future of driving. BY ANDREW McCREDIE
PHOTOS: BMW
The 2017 BMW XDrive 40e is the most intelligent SUV on the road today.
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The X5 xDrive 40e can cover approximately 21 kilometres using pure electric power.
I
that when BMW set out to raise the bar in the plug-in electric car market, it would tap a vehicle that had set a new standard for luxury sport SUVs when it debuted originally in 1999. The X5 proved the ideal car for the company’s first plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) offering, as it demonstrated that not only could hybrid technology be adapted to an existing model with no loss to the vehicle’s performance, it could also improve one of the more common concerns about all-wheel-drive SUVs—fuel economy. Despite boasting a total power output of 313 horsepower, the stylish hybrid SUV gets a thrifty combined fuel economy rating of 9.9 l/100 km under normal driving conditions and a stunning 4.1 in Max eDrive mode. All of this with no compromise to the performance and handling of this lowemission vehicle. Attaining the Holy Grail of electric vehicles—improved fuel economy without diminished performance—is something BMW has achieved time and again since embarking on the electric highway. The motoring world first caught a glimpse of that half a decade ago with the Mini E and the BMW ActiveE demonstration electric cars, based on the Mini and 1 Series, respectively. Lessons learned from those two test platforms led to the development of the i3 for city driving and the i8 sports car, two current BMW electric models that are pointing the way to future
PHOTOS: BMW GROUP
T O N LY M A D E S E N S E
ECO-WARRIORS BMW offers an array of electric options.
Brian Jessel BMW is one of just seven dealerships in Canada to have an inhouse BMW iBrand Centre. That means not only does the dealership sell the two electric BMW i vehicles—the i3 and i8—it also features specially trained sales and technical staff knowledgeable on the sustainable iBrand itself. The i3 is BMW’s first mass-produced zero-emission vehicle and the world’s first volume production vehicle featuring carbon fibre-reinforced polymer. It’s available as an urban all-electric model or also with a small “range extender” gasoline engine.
low-emission vehicles from the luxury carmaker. In similar fashion, the first X5 PHEV model from 2015 has led to the development of the 3 Series and 5 Series plug-in hybrid models, with the trio joining the i models in BMW’s recently formed iPerformance division. And they’ll have company soon, as late last year BMW announced plans to offer PHEV versions of all its core models. The 3 and 5 plug-ins utilize the same threesetting drive mode first introduced in the X5 PHEV and each uses a modified version of the hybrid powertrain from the ground-
The i8 is the supercar of the future. With scissor doors and sleek, crafted lines, this two-seater stands out from the exotic sports car crowd with sex appeal that delivers a zero-to-100km/h time of 4.4 seconds and a top speed of 250 km/h. And don’t forget to factor in the up-to-$10,000 government rebate available on either all-electric vehicle. In addition to these all-electric vehicles, Brian Jessel BMW sells plug-in hybrid models, including the X5 xDrive 40e and the 330e, while the 5 Series PHEV will be available in 2017.
breaking SUV. The X5 xDrive 40e can cover approximately 21 kilometres using pure electric power—all the more impressive when you consider this is an allwheel-drive vehicle. BMW’s xDrive, an all-wheel-drive system, is specially engineered to receive power from the gas and electric drive units to ensure optimal traction in all weather and poor road surface conditions. As such, a case could be made that this is the most intelligent all-wheel-drive system in any production vehicle—making it quite possible that the 2017 BMW xDrive 40e is the most intelligent SUV on the planet. WINTER 2016/17 • BrianJesselBMW.com
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/ greenlight /
BY AMANDA ROSS
stroke of fate, Raj Desor stumbled into a life of cars by chance. “I went to buy a car and the salesperson asked if I wanted a job,” he says. That was 22 years ago and Raj is still doing what he was destined to do: work with people and cars. Raj, now senior sales manager with Brian Jessel BMW, has been with the team for nine years and still credits his love of the job to those same two things: people and cars. “I don’t know what I love more, but here I’ve got both,” he says. At Jessel, he oversees 45 staff along with myriad duties—from ordering the cars to creating the advertising and managing his people—that keep his phone ringing at all hours. “My phone is on 24/7,” he says. “There’s no such thing as a day off !” Preparation is the key to both Raj’s success and his steady leadership—both of which have been a boon: “When I started in 2008, we sold 1,600 cars; we sell a lot more now.” Of course, the firm has grown over the years, but it’s no coincidence that Jessel, now the biggest BMW dealership in Canada, has a sales department with one of the lowest rates of turnover in the business. “We are all pretty close because we’ve all worked together for a long time and because we spend a lot of time together,” he says. Raj prides himself on keeping this crew together. Along with his family-away-from-family, Raj has his family at home, which includes his wife of 11 years, Tammy, and his two young children. “I love spending time hanging out with my family—in between answering calls!” he laughs. “I could be in Mexico and my phone will just keep going. It’s the business and how I get things done.”
I N W H AT T U R N E D O U T T O B E A
Raj Desor Steady leadership and around-the-clock commitment to detail are how this senior sales manager plays the game.
GREAT JOB
24
Francis Poon
Sales Consultant
“Meeting different people every day.”
BrianJesselBMW.com • WINTER 2016/17
April Ru
Sales Consultant
“The satisfaction of helping a customer find the perfect vehicle.”
Szymon Fugiel Sales Consultant
“Delivering a customer their first car.”
Paul Killeen
Customer Relations Supervisor
“Definitely one of the best things is the phenomenal people I work with.”
Kevin Luk
Sales Consultant
“Seeing my friends and hanging out with everyone.”
PHOTOS: JEREMY NG
We asked the Brian Jessel BMW sales staff what they love most about working at the dealership.
7Ad_Cabriolet.indd 1
CHARITY GALA
Presented By:
Proceeds Benefiting:
Pancreatic Cancer Canada
2016-10-25 6:46 PM
/ greenlight /
Style&
Sustainability At the Brian Jessel lifestyle boutique, BMW gear looks good both on and off the road. BY AMANDA ROSS
i8 Computer Mouse
BMW Running Shirt
From the BMW Athletics Collection, this men’s quick-dry running T-shirt fits like a second skin in UV-resistant fabric that offers air circulation for better athletic comfort and reflective strips for easy twilight jaunts. $40.25
Based on the design of the BMW i8 Concept car, this ergonomic computer mouse—with a range of up to 30 metres—boasts energy savings of around 30 per cent, thanks to its blue LED light and automatic sleep mode. $45
Drift Cat 5 Driving Shoes
For the perfect driving shoe, turn to the BMW Motorsport Collection’s Drift Cat 5, a tumbled full-grain leather kick with rounded driver’s heel and grippy rubber outsole. $160
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BMW Espresso Set
For the coffee aficionado, these limited-edition porcelain espresso cup-and-saucer sets, featuring classic images of the BMW 328 and BMW 507, offer the perfect morning wake-up shot. $48.25
M Ladies’ Down Jacket
The M ladies’ reversible down jacket (in matte black or red) with removable hood is a stylish, wind-resistant and water-repellent coat ideally suited for Vancouver’s most blustery days. Its tailored style and intelligent quilted design include slash side pockets on the inside and zip pockets on the outside. $330
M Bluetooth Headphones
Rock out with the BMW M Bluetooth 4.0 lifestyle headphones or multitask on the phone. Relax—you’ve got about 25 hours of run time on these beauties, which seems fitting considering the headband reads: “M. The most powerful letter in the world.” $180
M Nobis Men’s Jacket
PHOTOS: BMW
Lifestyle brand Nobis and BMW team up for a winter marriage made in heaven with the BMW M Nobis jacket. Windproof, waterproof and breathable, this down-filled storm buster makes easy work of Vancouver’s coldest months. $775
WINTER 2016/17 • BrianJesselBMW.com
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Esteemed Brian Jessel client Gregory Henriquez looks to build better cities based on better social structures.
/ profile /
Model City For architect Gregory Henriquez, good design hinges on people, not just places.
PORTRAIT: CARLO RICCI; INSET: BOB MATHESON
BY MICHAEL HARRIS
S
just-built office at the Telus Garden complex, overlooking a rapidly evolving downtown Vancouver, architect Gregory Henriquez takes a moment to talk ancient Greece. “You know,” he says, “for them, ethics and aesthetics were entwined. In order for something to be beautiful, it had to be ethical. In our world, though, we sometimes remove aesthetics from social justice.” Henriquez has never made the mistake of divorcing design from values. His celebrated career is, in fact, a testament to their marriage. In the 1990s and early 2000s, he cut his design teeth creating social housing and community ITTING IN HIS
centres for the most disadvantaged members of society, so it’s no accident that his later, grander work remains influenced by a devotion to building an inclusive society. What’s surprising is how beautiful, how truly splendid, his latest designs manage to be while remaining ethically sound. “Beauty,” he says, “is about orientation and making sense of your place in the world.” Like the Greeks did, Henriquez feels that he needs to do the right thing in order to make a beautiful thing. On the ground, that beautiful thing looks like his handsome Woodward’s development, a fine mix of market condos and subsidized housing that single-handedly revitalized the city’s Downtown Eastside. And it also looks like the green-design foresight of the Telus Garden complex WINTER 2016/17 • BrianJesselBMW.com
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/ profile /
Telus Garden (top and below)
that he’s sitting in right now—Henriquez believed so much in the LEED Platinum development that he moved his studio here. In all, 60 staff members are presently working on 25 projects. Henriquez’s philosophy is distilled in his new book, Citizen City, which details 10 of the studio’s recent projects—each of which illustrates how an architecture firm can double as an activist force, lobbying for city-building as much as building. “Our work,” says Henriquez, “is to be the hinge, the professional tasked with reconciling the values of our client and society at large. That’s our role.” Many architects would like to weld great design with great purpose, but most are forced to compromise one or the other. I asked Henriquez what made his practice different. “You need two things,” he told me. 30
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PHOTOS: ED WHITE
“You need exceptional clients willing to let you do unique work.”
Employee Benefits & Pensions | Estate Planning & Living Benefits Investment & Retirement Solutions | Philanthropic Planning
Professional Advice for the Business Owner
We’ll engage with you to provide guidance to ensure that when it comes to business succession, death, disability and retirement, you and your business are prepared.
Garry M. Zlotnik, FCPA, FCA
“Advice is only as good as the person you ask.”
/ profile /
Woodward’s (top and right)
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“You need exceptional clients willing to let you do unique work. And then you also need intestinal fortitude. My father (the great architect Richard Henriquez) tells me that no one can stop you; they can only make your life more difficult.” Certainly there’ll be no stops in the immediate future for Henriquez. Next up are two enormous projects that promise to bring his mission of city-building via individual projects to new heights. In Vancouver, his largest project yet will see his firm reimagine Oakridge Centre (4.4 million square feet) with hundreds of units reserved for both social and rental housing, plus a daycare, library, community centre and public park. “Real civic gestures of inclusivity,” says Henriquez. Meanwhile, in Toronto, he’s paired with his regular developer partner, Ian Gillespie (founder of Westbank), to develop the beloved Honest Ed’s site downtown. The 1.8-hectare site will feature a glass-roofed community market, live/work studios, LEED Platinum standing and innovative retail, too. These civic gestures are the right thing to do, but they’re also the profitable thing for Henriquez’s clients. “In exchange,” he says, “the city has embraced more density, which is how we can pay for everything.” The Greek ideal, then, is more than just pretty words. A mixture of ethics with aesthetics can undo bureaucratic gridlock while allowing an architect to do the right thing and the beautiful thing, all at once.
PHOTOS: ABOVE: PAUL WORCHAL; BELOW: BOB MATHESON
“Beauty is about orientation and making sense of your place in the world.”
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Maui Is for
Drivers BY NICOLE POINTON
Kahekili Highway Kapalua
Wailuku Pā'ia
The Road to Hana
Hana
Ulupalakua
The Back Side of Haleakalā
That saying about getting there being half the fun? On Maui, where winding, cliff-hugging roads look more like scenes out of an IMAX documentary, it’s almost all the fun. But don’t forget about the luxury properties awaiting you at the end of each epic drive.
Hairpin turns and jaw-dropping scenery run standard on Maui’s highways.
PHOTO: DOUGLAS PEEBLES/GETTY IMAGES
The Classic: The Road to Hana
O
N E O F T H E M O S T FA M O U S
drives on the planet—fittingly called Highway 360—has been a Maui bucket-list item for decades. Despite its popularity and oft-attendant traffic, it’s a transcendental experience behind the wheel. Drivers leaving the hippy-luxe town of Pā'ia are quickly engulfed in the wet, leeward rainforests of East Maui, where sun-bleached shrubs, blue skies and gently banking pavement soon give way to misty, giant trees and Jurassic vegetation WINTER 2016/17 • BrianJesselBMW.com
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/ escape /
The Road to Hana continued
Haleakalā National Park
Seven Sacred Pools
WHERE TO STAY The newly renovated Travaasa Hana, a luxurious village within the village of Hana, features Hawaiian bungalows set against a golf course, two pools, and yoga and spa facilities. Although there is no direct beach access, the resort runs complimentary shuttles to Hāmoa Beach, known for offering the best of both worlds: impressive snorkelling and a surf break.
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The Way Back: The Back Side of Haleakalā On the other side of Hana lie some of Maui’s most amazing wonders: sacred pools, blacksand beaches, off-grid farms and lava landscapes everywhere. A caveat, though: drivers who opt not to double back the way they came risk violating their rental car agreement (the southern route is often listed as a no-go zone), but the payoff can be huge. Leave Hana early to beat the crowds to the Seven Sacred Pools, known locally as the 'Ohe'o Gulch, a geological gash in the East Maui mountain range that channels
PHOTOS: CYNTHIA ANCHONDO/YP (SEVEN SACRED POOLS), ED FREEMAN/GETTYIMAGES (HALEAKALĀ NATIONAL PARK)
frequently slashed with towering waterfalls plunging down from shrouded, verdant peaks. This wild country is tamed by some of the best—and most thrilling—road engineering anywhere: 59 bridges, most large enough for only one car at a time, connect the 620 turns. Many of these hairpin turns are even more impressive when you find out the road was dug out using mostly hand tools. For the next 83 kilometres, shut off the a/c and roll down the window, crank some ukulele tunes and take deep, restorative breaths of fragrant air thick with citrus, ginger and guava.
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no.1 source of fine art in vancouver paintings - sculptures - graphic works
Picasso Dali Warhol Rembrandt Matisse Chagall Miro
549 Howe Street Vancouver, Canada 604.733.3594 www.chalirosso.com
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WHERE TO STAY
After a day of exploring lava rock, remove your sandals and sink into the sand of North Kā'napali Beach in front of The Westin Kā'anapali Ocean Resort Villas. With a reef begging to be snorkelled and a dozen or so pools, it’s the perfect place to get the blood back into your knuckles and savour an award-winning dinner to end an unforgettable day.
abundant rainwater that cascades down into pretty pools. Two minutes farther on, fuel up for the day at ONO Organic Farms, a foodie pilgrimage worshipped by chefs near and far. From there, the landscape quickly turns barren and evidence of the Haleakalā volcano’s recent lava flow is everywhere, with the landscape as black as the road tar. On a clear day, the volcano looms to the north, while the outline of Hawaii’s Big Island, located just 42 kilometres south, explodes from the Pacific. The next hour along this relentlessly bumpy section of Highway 31 (or Pi'ilani) is an exercise in expert cliffside navigation, and you’ll know you’re back among civilization only when you see the Ulupalakua Ranch Store. Stop for a grilled lunch and wash it down with a glass of pineapple wine at the eponymous vineyards nearby.
The Road Less Travelled: Kahekili Highway There are few guardrails on this route, you’ll often crawl at 10 km/hr and you’ll frequently need to back up on blind curves to accommodate oncoming traffic on one-lane passes. But the Kahekili Highway (also called Highway 340), which hooks jaggedly around Maui’s northwestern tip, is an increasingly popular driving adventure peppered with vistas rivalling those on the Road to Hana. Although the road is less than 35 kilometres long, the snaking 2,500-foot elevation gain and plentiful roadside attractions mean this is a half-day trip, at least. To minimize risk, drive early in the morning and clockwise, from Kapalua to Wailuku, on the cliff side of the precipitous
turns, some with thousand-foot drops. The first stop, about 10 minutes north of Kapalua, is snorkelling at Honolua Bay, easily Maui’s best when the water is calm in summer. From here, just beyond decommissioned pineapple fields, the highway begins its contortion. The Ohai Trail serves up some of the most memorable photo ops on Maui, while a 30-minute hike accesses the Olivine tide pools. Push on to the Nākālele Blowhole, a natural lava rock formation that channels waves into 30-foot-high fountains. Continue onward—things get really dicey for the next half-hour—then relax with a late breakfast stop at the historic town of Kahakuloa, home of Julie’s Banana Bread. Kahekili Highway
PHOTO: EUGENE KALENKOVICH/YP (KAHEKILI HIGHWAY)
The Back Side of Haleakalā continued
WHERE TO STAY No matter which way you drive this beast, unwind at the Ritz-Carlton Kapalua in one of the most luxurious secluded beachfronts in the islands. Here, there’s golf and a sprawling spa for the adults, while the “Jean-Michel Cousteau Ambassadors of the Environment” eco-adventures are perfect for kids five and up. There are even night camps that let parents sneak in a date night. That’s true luxury.
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/ food /
H E S T E A K H O U S E is among the earliest and most iconic styles of restaurant. History records it as originating in London in the late 1600s, arriving in North America—specifically New York City, where it was commonly known as a “chophouse”—during the 19th century. Vancouver, a city whose youth is inversely proportionate to the steakhouse’s veteran status, was for decades notably lacking in a choice of rooms where diners could enjoy the distinct pleasures for which the steakhouse is famous: premium cuts of beef, classic accompaniments (baked potato, creamed spinach, wedge salad), fine wines and cocktails, and service that expertly walks the tightrope between attentiveness and invisibility.
KNOW YOUR CHOPS
Each variety of steak offers unique virtues. Here are three that all serious beef lovers should experience.
Tomahawk
Named for the axe it resembles, this large on-the-bone steak’s generous fat content (before cooking) imparts huge flavour.
Filet Mignon
The tenderest of cuts and relatively lean, it’s served thick and (usually) round.
New York Strip
Cut from the short loin, the flavour from its beautiful marbling makes it one of the most popular steaks.
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In Vancouver’s steakhouse firmament, Gotham shines bright. BY MICHAEL WHITE
When Gotham opened in March 1999, in a heritage 1930s art deco space, its mission was not only to correct the city’s shortage of proper steakhouses but also to become the standard against which all others are measured. Megan Buckley, founding GM of Gotham (and now COO of its parent company, Hy’s of Canada), recalls the restaurant being somewhat of a dark horse in the beginning. “All of the things about it that are common now were very unusual at the time: an à la carte menu, the prime-grade beef. And the physical premises: luxurious and welcoming at the same time.” Nevertheless, the dining room and lounge were “packed from the get-go,” she says, and remain so to this day. The loyalty of Gotham’s clientele is reflected in its staff, some of whom have been with the restaurant for 15 years or more. And while the menu has expanded to reflect diners’ increasingly varied and sophisticated tastes (in addition to new attractions such as live music, DJs and a weekday social hour), Gotham’s core qualities remain—and, according to Buckley, always will. “What I wanted, from day one, was for Gotham to be an institution. I knew this place was something special,” she says. “My expertise is knowing how to stay the course—we know what we are and what we’re not. I hate to give away the secret, but we focus on great service, great atmosphere and great food.”
PHOTOS: HY’S OF CANADA (GOTHAM); YP (STEAKS)
Star Power T
Heritage house: iconic steakhouse Gotham takes tradition to new heights with packed rooms and reimagined classics. WINTER 2017 • BrianJesselBMW.com
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/ wines /
The Best ValueWines Right Now O
ne of the beautiful facts about wine is that value can come at any price. Is there anything better than a $40 wine that tastes like it should be $80? Here are seven value bottles that deserve a spot at your table or that will get better with age after a couple of years in the cellar.
Champagne Pierre Paillard N/V Grand Cru Brut, $56.99, Bouzy, France (SKU 477372) Don’t tell too many people around town that you can get a grower’s Champagne at this price, because once you’re seduced by its toasty, citrusy character, you’ll be heading out to buy more. 42
And perfect places to sip great grapes. BY KURTIS KOLT
Coolshanagh Chardonnay 2014, $36.90, Okanagan Valley, B.C. (SKU 399691) Years from now you’ll brag that you were among the first to enjoy this Chardonnay from Naramata limestone soil, crafted by a top-tier team that includes international terroir guru Pedro Parra.
Yalumba “The Strapper” 2013, $23.99, Barossa Valley, Australia (SKU 354040) From vines upwards of 80 years old comes a blend of Grenache, Syrah and mourvèdre that perfectly straddles sweet and savoury; chockablock with Italian plum, black olive, white pepper and anise.
M. Chapoutier “Chante-Alouette” Hermitage Blanc 2012, $79.99, Rhône Valley, France (SKU 444281) An organic Marsanne from the legendary hermitage mecca of the Rhône Valley, laden with marzipan, roasted hazelnuts, a kiss of honey and muddled lemon. Swoon-worthy.
Domaine de Beaurenard Châteauneuf-duPape 2012, $62.99, Rhône Valley, France (SKU 24448) Quite the charmer here: dried herbs among currants, black fruit and fresh herbs—one of those wines that continually develops after each sip.
Meyer Family Vineyards McLean Creek Pinot Noir 2014, $40, Okanagan Valley, B.C. (SKU 831487) Winemaker Chris Carson earned his chops making Pinot Noir in Central Otago, New Zealand, and Montrachet in Burgundy. A guiding light of British Columbian Pinot Noir that has international heads turning.
Joseph Phelps Vineyards Insignia 2013, $354.99, Napa Valley, California (SKU 418566) This legendary Cabernet Sauvignonbased Napa Valley blend is layered with blackberries, violets, dark chocolate and espresso. A particularly special bottling, this is the 40th anniversary of Insignia. Also available in magnums.
BrianJesselBMW.com • WINTER 2016/17
FIVE RESTAURANT PICKS 1 Blue Water Cafe This long-time Yaletown hot spot has a cellar that’s as deep as it is vast, chock full of crisp and aromatic white gems from Chablis to Chile, to frame chef Frank Pabst’s stunning seafood dishes perfectly. Bluewatercafe.net 2 Burdock & Co. Geek out with an array of natural wines from France, Italy, Australia and beyond, all perfectly suited to chef Andrea Carlson’s adventurous, lovingly farmed and foraged dishes. Burdockandco.com 3 Chambar Crosstown’s buzziest place has a list overflowing with both classics and modern classics. From Burgundy to Pender Island, B.C., the best of many a region is well represented. Chambar.com 4 Cinara Dive deep into the wonders of Italian wine with sommelier Neil Ingram as your guide; he’s one of the most charismatic, brilliant, hilarious and knowledgeable wine guys in the country. Cinara.ca 5 Tap & Barrel Whether visiting the North Shore, Coal Harbour or Olympic Village location, you’ll enjoy the best of British Columbian wine, guaranteed to be as fresh as can be, flowing brightly out of the taps. Tapandbarrel.com
PHOTOS: BMW
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BY ANDREW McCREDIE
RISE OF THE MACHINES
I
Four visionary concept vehicles set the course for BMW’s next century of innovation. N OUR EVER-CHANGING WORLD,
standing still is akin to going backwards. This is particularly true in the automotive business, where each model year brings game-changing innovation and evolving technology. But where most manufacturers look ahead a year or so, BMW has set its course with its VISION NEXT 100: The BMW Group Future Experience—a stunning 100-year glimpse into the coming century. At the heart of this design interpretation of future mobility are four concept vehicles from the company’s family of brands. The Rolls-Royce, MINI and two BMWs that make up the VISION NEXT 100 underscore
the automaker’s commitment to sustainable transportation, autonomous technology, exquisite design and uncompromising luxury. And while this stable of vehicles might look straight out of a science fiction movie, it’s coming faster than you think. “We’re convinced that our industry will be more transformed in the next decade than in the previous 30—or even 100—years,” says BMW Group board member Peter Schwarzenbauer. “And we will be right up there in shaping this transformation, in shaping tomorrow’s premium mobility.” Such aspirations are no surprise to those who are familiar with BMW’s history, replete with cutting-edge innovation and record-setting accomplishments. Here’s a look at these four stunning BMW visions of the future. WINTER 2016/17• BrianJesselBMW.com
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BMW VISION NEXT 100 A S M U C H as autonomous driving looms in our motoring future, this vehicle underscores BMW’s commitment to the thrill and pleasure of driving. Think of the BMW VISION NEXT 100 as the bridge between the ultimate driving machine and the ultimate driver. The BMW VISION NEXT 100 is a blend of coupé sportiness and sedan elegance. At 4.90 metres long and 1.37 metres high, it has compact exterior dimensions, but its spacious cabin has the dimensions of a luxury BMW sedan. Likewise, the large wheels positioned at the outer edges of the body give it the dynamic stance that is a BMW trademark. The coppercoloured exterior reflects the designers’ belief that future BMWs should appear technical yet still have a warmth about them. As you approach, the BMW VISION NEXT 100 intelligent sensor technologies will open its wing doors to give you more space to enter and exit, while the steering wheel sits flush with the dashboard. Once seated, you activate the full
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Copper-clad: the BMW’s future looks bright in a metallic sheen.
range of systems by tapping on the BMW logo in the middle of the dashboard. The door closes, the steering wheel extends, and the driving experience begins. Sustainability is also a hallmark of BMW’s vision of the future, and so the materials used in the BMW VISION NEXT 100 are primarily fabrics
BrianJesselBMW.com • WINTER 2016/17
made from recycled or renewable materials. The visible and non-visible carbon components, such as the side panels, are made from residues from normal carbon fibre production. And there’s a total elimination of leather in the interior, replaced with high-quality textiles and easily recyclable mono-materials.
ROLLS-ROYCE VISION NEXT 100 I T ’ S S A D T O S AY, B U T this über-elegant vehicle of the future is going to put some chauffeurs out of work. But that’s not to say you’ll be lonely in this fully autonomous Rolls-Royce. “Eleanor” will always be on board to keep you company. In addition to taking
It’s how they Rolls: this classic icon gets a sleek, sexy new makeover.
over the task of driving, the virtual assistant fulfils your every wish and command as you relax in your private retreat, dubbed the “Grand Sanctuary” by designers. As luxurious as the interior is, it’s the stunning exterior with its elegant clamshell canopy and coach door that sets this Roller apart from the luxury pack. That coach door allows you to simply stand up and step out of the vehicle so as not to wrinkle your suit or dress en route to your destination. As futuristic as the RollsRoyce VISION NEXT 100 looks, it maintains the marque’s legendary coachbuilding heritage with “Personal Vision,” which will deliver unique coachbuilt bodies, exquisite handcraftsmanship and the finest materials, all on a zero-emission platform. Like all the VISION NEXT 100 vehicles, innovative production methods and materials are used in this bespoke vehicle.
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The MINI comes equipped with state-of-the-art autonomous technology, which controls the driving mood: relaxed or sports.
THE MINI VISION NEXT 100 F R O M M R . B E A N to The Jetsons. Car sharing figures predominantly in our motoring future, particularly in large metropolises, and what better vehicle to share than the MINI? BMW futurists have envisioned the ultimate urban commuter based on the iconic car and integrating state-of-the-art autonomous technology and emerging artificial intelligence. Before you even get in the vehicle, the personalization of your MINI begins as the exterior surfaces transform to suit your preferences and the vehicle beams a personalized greeting as you approach it. Once inside, you interact with the “Cooperizer,” a coloured translucent circular instrument in the centre of the car. This unique and forwardthinking interface is the heart and mind of the MINI VISION NEXT 100 and communicates with you through dynamic changes in colour. The Cooperizer controls the driving mood, offering a gentle, relaxed drive or sports mode for a super-charged experience. And its “inspire me” setting allows you to experience someone else’s
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personal driving mode— from friends and family to celebrities and even creative visionaries. Between journeys, the MINI VISION NEXT 100 drives autonomously to a service hub, where it’s cleaned and recharged before zipping off to meet another driver.
BrianJesselBMW.com • WINTER 2016/17
BMW MOTORRAD VISION NEXT 100 N O V I S I O N O F BMW’s next century would be complete without a motorcycle—after all, the very first vehicle the company produced was a two-wheeler under the
Sculpture or motorcycle? The BMW Motorrad is a triumphant mix of both.
BMW Motorrad brand. BMW’s latest futuristic interpretation of its motorcycles pays homage to that historic and important bike, the 1923 R32. The BMW Motorrad VISION NEXT 100 features a black triangle frame—a deliberate design reference to the R32—but on the VISION NEXT 100 bike, the frame has been reimagined as a functional sculpture linking the front and rear wheels with a dynamic, arcing sweep. The “Flexframe” is an engineering feat that allows the self-balancing bike to be steered without the various joints found on today’s motorcycles. Turning the handlebar adjusts the entire frame and changes the direction of the bike. The frame’s fine lines, finished in a combination of silky sheen and matte-black textile, offer a contemporary, minimalistic reinterpretation of this classic BMW detail. The theme of this ergonomic, zero-emission VISION NEXT 100 bike is “The Great Escape,” another reference to a very famous Beemer, the R60/2 that Steve McQueen rode in the movie of the same name.
WINTER 2016/17• BrianJesselBMW.com
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IF YOU BUILD IT
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BMW Welt is a
PHOTOS: ANDREW ALMARZA (LEFT); BMW (RIGHT)
once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to pick up your car right off the line: Brian Jessel managing partner Jim Murray experiences it firsthand.
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HE WILL COME BY MICHAEL WHITE
BMW Welt is an immersive, impressive and breathtaking look behind the carmaker’s curtain.
WINTER 2016/17 • BrianJesselBMW.com
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ince the introduction of its groundbreaking New Class sedans and coupés in the 1960s, the BMW brand has been synonymous with luxury and exacting standards. And, throughout the decades, these qualities have evolved, encompassing not only the company’s vehicles but every step of the buying experience. Nowhere in the world is this in greater evidence than at BMW Welt, a stunningly designed, world-renowned showroom and event centre situated next to company headquarters in Munich. The result of an international competition (in which 27 architecture firms submitted design proposals) and unveiled in 2007 after almost four years of construction, the Welt is one of the most awe-inspiring modern buildings in Germany, if not all of Europe. Jim Murray, managing partner of Brian Jessel BMW, was among the privileged few who were given a tour of the Welt during its opening weekend. But it was only this past June that he was able to experience it from the perspective of a customer who has chosen to indulge in BMW’s most prestigious and exciting buying experience: the BMW M European Tour. Those who purchase the tour will travel to Munich to take
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delivery of their vehicle (a different, limited-edition model is earmarked for the tour each year) at the Welt. They then spend several days experiencing the full extent of their new BMW’s pleasures as they drive south to select destinations— including five-star hotels, world-class restaurants and more— across Europe. Ironically, Murray approached his inaugural European tour in reverse. Having already booked a vacation that would take him to Munich and Vienna, and having signed the paperwork to acquire 2016’s tour model a few months prior—the very limited BMW M4 GTS (only 700 were produced, 50 of which were allotted for Canada)—he put two and two together and thought, “I should experience the tour delivery for myself!” And so, accompanied by his partner, Linda, and two couple friends (one from Monaco and the other from Dallas), Murray was privately shuttled from his Munich hotel to the Welt’s sprawling Premium Lounge, where a personal concierge helped him complete the pre-delivery process before his M4 GTS was driven into the room. Appropriately, a Champagne toast followed. Also in Murray’s company was Andrew Almarza, Brian Jessel
PHOTOS: ANDREW ALMARZA
S
Weeks of anticipation lead to the big reveal: Jim Murray, managing partner of Brian Jessel BMW, takes a look at his new M4 GTS.
“This is not just any vehicle pickup. It’s an experience you will never forget.” BMW’s former creative and media coordinator, who happened to be in Europe at the time. “From the moment we arrived at the Welt to when we heard Jim’s M4 GTS approaching, which was then valeted in front of a wall of windows overlooking BMW’s headquarters,” he says, “you realize this is not just any vehicle pickup. It’s an experience you truly will never forget.” Murray had designed his own itinerary, so he and his party spent a few days in Munich before driving to Vienna—he and Linda in his new acquisition, of course. “These cars are designed to be on the autobahn; to get to experience that is something special, particularly in your own car,” he excitedly recalls, noting that the M4 GTS is essentially “a street-legal track car.” “I’ve been to Munich several times throughout my 20 years with Brian Jessel and I’ve driven on the autobahn probably more than half a dozen times, but this was the first time in my own car. And it’s a great experience for any customer to be able to say, ‘Yes, I’ve driven my car at 250 kilometres an hour. I know what this car’s capabilities are.’ Let’s face it: you don’t get the chance to do that in Canada.” Murray’s personal highlights of the journey include Vienna’s Hotel Bristol (“across from the State Opera House and amid shop-
ping, museums and restaurants”) and “a fantastic wine region just an hour outside of Vienna, in Burgenland, where we visited several wineries, such as Esterházy and Leo Hillinger.” At the end of their holiday, Murray was able to simply leave his vehicle at a designated drop-off centre at Munich Airport (there are several convenient drop-off points throughout Europe), and it arrived in Canada within roughly six weeks. Murray stresses that you needn’t be a BMW employee to experience a European Tourist Delivery at the Welt or the BMW M European Tour. Many of our models are offered on the European Tourist Delivery Program, which has been made simpler than ever. “The ease of it is like never before,” he says. “You can finance or lease, and the pricing isn’t different than buying in Canada. There are no special deposits or European taxes to pay upfront. You basically buy the car here and get yourself to Munich. The BMW M European Tour is reserved for special-edition launch BMWs, such as the new 2017 M760Li xDrive, and encompasses a once-in-a-lifetime experience to travel to amazing destinations with a group of BMW owners hosted by BMW Canada. There is a fee to participate on the BMW M European Tour but it is well worth it!” WINTER 2016/17 • BrianJesselBMW.com
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THE EXTRAORDINARY BMW M EUROPEAN TOUR The extraordinary BMW M European Tour—over 1,000 kilometres, passing through six countries in seven days—is an experience of a lifetime that all Brian Jessel BMW clients have the opportunity to savour. To arrange the Welt experience, please contact Brian Jessel BMW directly to learn more about the upcoming 2017 tours, dates, models and pricing. Here’s a look at the 2016 itinerary.
THE GRAND TOUR DAY 1 Arrive in Munich and, after settling into your suite at Hotel Bayerischer Hof, enjoy a welcome reception and dinner especially for you and your fellow experience participants. DAY 2 After taking possession of your new BMW, drive from Munich
MUNICH Hotel
to Salzburg, Austria. Accommo-
Bayerischer Hof
dation is at the Hotel Schloss Fuschl.
BMW Welt
Salzburgring
DAY 3 Hotel Schloss Fuschl
Interalpen-Hotel Tyrol
Test the capabilities of your new BMW at the Salzburgring racetrack (featuring basic and intensive courses). Spend the night at the Interalpen-Hotel Tyrol. DAY 4 Drive to Lake Como, set against
Stelvio Pass
Overnight stays/hotels Direction Places on the way
the foothills of the Alps in Bellagio, Italy. The Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni—one of the area’s oldest five-star hotels—awaits you.
Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni
DAY 5 Rapallo, along northern Italy’s Ligurian Sea coast, is the day’s
Milano
destination. The Excelsior Palace Hotel, built in 1901, is just a minute’s walk from the seafront. DAY 6 Monte Carlo, Monaco, is your penultimate stop. Stand in
Portofino
Fairmont. DAY 7 Leave your BMW in the care of
MEDITERRANEAN SEA
MONACO
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waterfront upon arrival at the
BrianJesselBMW.com • WINTER 2016/17
your preferred drop-off centre and travel home, marvelling at all you’ve just seen and done.
PHOTOS: BMW
Hotel Fairmont Monte Carlo
Excelsior Palace Hotel
awe of cliffside views of the
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7 1 0 6, 2
s. e i t i r cha
/ events /
Great Conversation with Even Better Company
A Recap of the 2016 M Power Speaker Series This year’s Brian Jessel BMW M Power Speaker Series played host to three stimulating events featuring four of Vancouver’s most prominent figures in real estate and architecture—Joel Solomon, Gregory Henriquez, Bob Rennie and Michael Green. The speakers gave insight into some of Vancouver’s most hot-button topics through Q&A sessions hosted by Vancouver magazine. Meanwhile, audience members got right in on the action, mingling, live-tweeting and conversing with speakers while being treated to appetizers by Truffles Fine Foods and refreshments from Culmina Family Estate Winery and Stanley Park Brewing.
Gregory Henriquez and Joel Solomon
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BrianJesselBMW.com • WINTER 2016/17
Kicking off the series were Vancouver magazine Power 50 honourees Joel Solomon, social entrepreneur and chair of Renewal Funds, and architect Gregory Henriquez with a debate on whether real estate can harbour social good in the city. Henriquez sees potential with programs that are already in place, such as Community Amenity Contributions (in-kind or cash contributions from property developers, to whom city council grants development rights), but he pointed out that many residents don’t know how to tap into these resources. Both speakers agreed that it’s time for Vancouverites to embrace density and the greater options it will create for living, not to mention increased support for local businesses. “In Vancouver,” said Solomon, “owning a home is an opportunity, not a guarantee.” But, for those who still dream of a single-family home, one solution may be improving mass transit and creating accessibility to more land for commuters to live on.
PHOTOS: BRIAN JESSEL
Marrying real estate with social good
BY DOMINIKA LIRETTE
Finding affordability in Vancouver For the second instalment of the series, the Brian Jessel dealership was packed with people eager to hear the thoughts of real-estate guru and founder/director of Rennie Marketing Systems, Bob Rennie, on the future of Vancouver. The Power 50 honouree addressed the issues of density and affordability with data and research he’s conducted. “Last year there were 26 homes that sold in the City of Vancouver under $750,000,” said Rennie. “Yet outside of the City of Vancouver, there were 10,355 homes that sold under $750,000.” Rennie told audience members that it is time to look at other global cities and readjust our expectations of living in Vancouver. However, he said, a key factor for this will be improving transit. “Affordability will be in the region if we have transit. And only if we have transit.”
Bob Rennie
“Affordability will be in the region if we have transit. And only if we have transit.” —Bob Rennie
PHOTOS: BMW GROUP
Wooden skyscrapers and sustainability
Michael Green
Closing our speaker series was Governor General’s Award-winning architect Michael Green, who is known as one of the leading forces in designing tall wood structures. These aren’t your typical wood-frame buildings, either—Green shared with audience members how his firm creates mass timber towers from highly durable and densely manufactured wooden panels and columns. “It’s a whole new technology,” said Green. It’s also a more sustainable way to build, since wood is a renewable resource. And while Green advocates using wood for environmental reasons, he’s also noticed people gravitating toward its more natural appeal. “I think it’s ingrained in our species to appreciate natural material,” he said. WINTER 2016/17 • BrianJesselBMW.com
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Take Your Shot
“My i3 is like the perfect handbag... it fits everything l need with room for a few extra surprises— hello, Romeo!” —Joanna Baxter
Joanna Baxter of Lover Fighter crafts luxury leather bags with a relaxed vibe. “I want my clients to feel put-together and chic but never too precious.” Baxter offers private trunk shows for your home or office; contact her at www.iloveLF.com or @iheartLF.
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BrianJesselBMW.com • WINTER 2016/17
PHOTO: JOANNA BAXTER
Snap a photo of yourself and your Brian Jessel BMW with a few words about why you love your ride. If we choose your image, you’ll win a pair of his-and-hers BMW watches worth over $500.
Romeo, a golden retriever cross, often sits in the passenger seat up front to better serve as the perfect furry-companion navigator.
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French Art de Vivre
Symbole. Modular seating, design Sacha Lakic. Radian. Pedestal tables, design CĂŠdric Ragot. Basket. Cocktail table, design Thiry Renaud. Robin. Floor lamps, design Carlo Zerbaro Manufactured in Europe.
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