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Micro-Condo Solutions
Making More Of Less W
hen the bigger-isbetter mindset is not in your homebuying financial cards, there are plenty of services to make your small space feel larger. Indeed, many of the companies making these products are enjoying a boom thanks to the trend of building smaller, more affordable condos. Bosa Properties is one of the groups meeting the challenge head on, having introduced its BosaSPACE concept a year and a half ago at its Alumni Tower development in Surrey’s University District. The idea’s second iteration is currently on display in its RiverSky project in New Westminster. “We created BosaSPACE because we saw a need in the market,” said Daryl Simpson, Bosa Properties senior vicepresident. “We were feeling frustrated with the compression of suite sizes which was a function of the demand for smaller, more affordable homes. We wanted to give people more functionality so that a 500-squre-foot apartment would feel and perform like an 800-square-foot one.”
Space and Function Bosa worked on the concept for over a year, meeting with local and European designers, suppliers and architects. An extendable table can be a modest two-seat counter/desk/prep station or pull out to seat up to eight for dinner.
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The “SleepTHEATRE” conceals a sofa or guest bed behind the TV. A pantry system hides a pull-down ironing board and storage along with a wine rack. “People don’t have to buy as much furniture,” said Simpson. “For younger buyers, that helps with the affordability pressures. We’ve also worked with buyers who have the means to spend more but want to consume less.”
The Hide-a-Bed Solution A standard purchase for anyone trying to maximize space in their home is a Murphy bed, a space-saving solution that’s been used for more than a century. BC Murphy Wall-Bed Ltd. president Hung Nguyen has seen demand increase as more small condos come on the market. “If you’re living in 350 square feet, a Murphy bed is the only option that works,” said Nguyen, who has started building beds that, when upright, have desks, dining tables or sofas that fold down.
Offsite Storage There are a plethora of storage facili-
Vancouver House Prices Soar in 2015ʼs First Quarter: Royal LePage
ties in Metro Vancouver, but many people do not require large storage lockers and can find hauling items to and fro difficult. Alluster Storage Valet caters to people looking to store seasonal equipment such as clothing, golf clubs, bikes and skis. “We offer delivery from door to door, so you can store your items without ever leaving your home,” said Rob Buchanan, CEO of Alluster. “Customers track their stored possessions online, a feature which isn’t normally available with other storage businesses. When they want something back, they get it returned with a few clicks.”
Ditch the Parking Stall Hand in hand with the move to smaller condo sizes is the trend to build
Surrey Sees Frenzy of Condo Buying at Evolve 406-Unit Tower
fewer parking stalls in these new developments. That’s opened up opportunities for car-share businesses with BCAA the latest to jump on the wagon. The association launched Evo Car Share in March, joining Modo, Zipcar and Car2Go in offering urbanites part-time access to vehicles. “We spent two years talking to Vancouverites about transportation,” said Shan Parmar, director of Evo Car Share, “and we heard that people want a car-sharing option that will allow them to get outdoors and live the BC lifestyle and do what they’d normally do with their car. Evo has over 250 cars available within Vancouver; all are four-door hybrids with lots of cargo space along with two bike racks and ski racks.”
BC Home Sales Up 37.6% in March, Prices Up 14%: BCREA