THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 2016
VANCOUVER EASTSIDE
info@rew.ca • 604-435-7977
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Beat the Rising Cost of Produce with our
Spring Vegetable Gardening Tips
H
ave you gone to the grocery store or farm market lately and been aghast at the price of some of your favourite vegetables? According to Statistics Canada, the price of even the humble celery stalk went up a whopping 19 per cent last year. Here’s a solution: Start your own vegetable garden. OK, so you might feel a bit intimidated or you might think it’s too much trouble or you don’t have the room. Perhaps you live in an apartment or condo and the only outside space you have is your small deck. No problem, says Tricia Sedgwick, founder of The World in a Garden. “You don’t need a lot of space to grow vegetables … you can buy small raised containers that fit perfectly on small decks or patios. If you are really tight with space consider starting small by growing lettuce or herbs in your windowsill.” Now more than ever is a great time to consider starting your own a small vegetable garden. Whether you live in a condo or a home, you are a newbie or
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seasoned gardener, Sedgwick has some simple ideas to help anyone grown their own vegetables. “First, ask yourself what vegetables you spend the most on in the grocery store. Then find out if they can be grown in our West Coast climate,” says Sedgwick. In addition, Vancouver is fast becoming a hub for kale enthusiasts, says Sedgwick. She went on to say: “Why are we shipping kale from California in December when we can grow kale so easily here? There are so many varieties of kale and it only needs four hours of light a day to grow.”
Produce Varieties What vegetables can you plant in spring? • Kale, all varieties • Radish • Parsley • Cilantro • Beets • Broccoli • Carrots • Cucumber (indoors) • Tomatoes
Interest Rates Wonʼt Rise Until Late 2017 – Then Slowly: CIBC Economist
• Chard • Leafy greens and lettuce How often do I need to water them? Again, every plant is different. Tomatoes don’t like a lot of water as they will split, whereas squashes like cucumber and zucchini need more water.
Container Gardening What vegetables grow well together in a container? Companion planting is one way to grow vegetables and this website offers great tips. Another way is to put taller plants at the back or against the wall so they are not in the way of shorter plants. As an example you can put tomatoes in the back row, basil in the middle and cucumber in the front so that the cucumber grows over the edge of the container and does not take space inside the box. Tips you need to know: • Most vegetables need six hours of sunshine.
East Vs. West: What the Benchmark Price of a Condo Will Buy You
• You can set yourself up for gardening bliss by growing easy vegetables: radishes, spinach, lettuce, bush beans, broad beans, spinach, beets, chard and kohlrabi. “Although asparagus initially takes five years to grow, after that they are extremely easy.” • Don’t forget gai lan (Chinese broccoli) and komatsuna (mustard spinach) and mescluns (mixed salad greens), as these all do very well in containers. • Besides sunshine, your seeds need fertile, well-drained soil that is more alkaline than acidic. • You shouldn’t grow the same vegetables in the same location two years running. Why? Because you deplete the soil of all the same nutrients, so you should alternate to keep the healthy soil and alive. So grab your garden gloves and get digging because fresh, healthy vegetables are the best reward possible. Go to REW.ca/news to find the full version of this article, including advice on greenhouse produce gardening.
How To Secure Mortgage Financing in a Hyperinflated Housing Market
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R E W.ca » VA N COU V E R E ASTS I D E » T H U RS DAY A P R I L 7, 2 0 1 6
Over 35 years of experience in selling and custom building houses in B.C. 15 years Diamond Master Medallion Club Member, Top 1% President Club Award of All Realtors in Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver.
BALDEV SANDHU & JULIANA HO TEAM Top New Home Construction Award
Free Market Evaluation. Sell your house fast. Buyer with Cash looking for building lot. Custom build your dream house.
Diamond Master Medallion
BALDEV SANDHU 604-880-9571 1ST OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY 2-4 PM Vancouver East, Collingwood Single family 2 storey house • 1028 East 31 Avenue
NEW LISTING
$1,655,000 - A recently upgraded 2 storey house
JULIANA HO 778-869-9688
ROYAL PACIFIC
www.BaldevSSandhu.com DaveSandhu@royalpacific.com
MASTER
www.JulianaHo.com Juliiho@gmail.com
R E A LT Y
Vancouver East, Victoria
Vancouver East, Collingwood
Vancouver East, Collingwood
Presale, Build to Suit - 3 storeys plus LWH 2073 E 27th Avenue
SxS Duplex, 2-storey with basement under construction 5508 Dundee Street and 5502 Dundee Street
2 Storey family house 5522 Dundee Street
NEW LISTING
$2,250,000
NEW LISTING
5508 - $1,263,000
NEW LISTING
$850,000
situated on a quiet street of Main & Fraser area. 2030 sf living area - 6 bedrooms & 4 full bathrooms, 2 kitchens. - Existing 2 bdrm suite + another 1 bedroom on main floor easy to convert as 2nd suite for mortgage helper - Close to shopping, schools, parks. Don’t miss!
5502 - $1,299,000 - A fabulous South facing in Victoria area - Total area 3250 sf on lot size 33 ft x 122 ft , 2 storey with basement plus LWH - Granite counter top, maple wood cabinets - Radiant heat , HRV and security system - Buyer to provide own plan and choice are welcome
- A quality built 1745 sf duplex under construction - 3 bedrooms above, living room, dinning room, kitchen, 2 bedroom suite in basement - 3.5 bathrooms, granite countertop, maple wood cabinets, hardwood floor, HRV system, inter-telecom - Single garage
- A single family infill in 2 storeys - 1209 sf living area - 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, kitchen, living room - Attached single garage. - Don’t miss!
Vancouver East, Renfrew Height
Vancouver East, Renfrew
Vancouver East, Collingwood
Vancouver East, Renfrew
Vancouver East, Collingwood
Presale, Custom Build 3-storey plus LWH 1942 E34 Avenue
Presale, Build to Suit, 3 storeys plus LWH 2165 Rupert Street
1/2 Back Duplex - 2 Storeys w/bsmt, under construction 5492 Dundee Street
Presale, Build to Suit, 3 storeys plus LWH 3007 East 6 Avenue
Side by Side Duplex, 2 storey w/bsmt under construction 2359 East 41 Avenue
NEW LISTING
$2,200,000
- Great location in Victoria district on a quiet street - 3-storey , 3000 square feet house plus 500 sf lane way house - 3 bedrooms up and 3 bedrooms down (2 suites), family room, dining room 5 bathrooms & 3 kitchens - Granite counter top, engineered hard wood floor, maple wood cabinets. - Inter-telecom, HRV system, heating exchanger, radiant heat. - Beautiful fenced garden, single garage. - Clients to provide own plan and colour choice are welcome.
NEW LISTING
$1,900,000
- A fabulous custom 2 storey with basement - Total area 3300 sf house with LWH - Total 7 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms - Granite counter top, maple wood cabinets - Radiant floor heating, HRV & security system - Single garage - Buyer to provide own plan & colour choice are welcome
NEW LISTING
$1,288,000
- Spacious 2-storey, 2180 sf, back duplex - The unit features 5 bdrms & 3.5 baths - Kitchens, living room, family room - Granite counter tops, hardwood floor, HRV system, radiant heat
Bob Bracken
NEW LISTING
$2,238,000
- A fabulous Southern view on high side of Renfrew area - Total area 3350 sf on lot size 33 ftx122 ft, 2 storey with basement plus LWH - 8 bedrooms, 6 baths, kitchen, living room, dining room - Granite countertop, maple wood cabinets - Radiant heat, HRV and security system - Buyer to provide own plan & colour choice are welcome
Real Estate Services Each office independently owned and operated.
410-650 W 41ST Avenue, Vancouver, BC V5Z 2M9
$1,165,000
- A south facing S x S 1/2 duplex, 3-storey, spacious 1975 sf with finest built - 5 bdrms, living room, family room & kitchens - Granite countertop, hardwood floor, maple wood kitchen cabinets - Radiant heat & HRV system, high efficiency heating system, garage
604.263.2823
bobbracken.com bob@bobbracken.com
Real Estate Investment Think Bob Bracken
MOUNT PLEASANT 4 SUITE HOUSE PLUS
4+ UNITS!
INCOME!
975 EAST 11TH AVE
COMMERCIAL DR 8 UNIT APARTMENT BLDG MOUNT PLEASANT BIG INCOME PROPERTY CAP SOLD 8 7+ RATE RECORD UNITS! PRICE! UNITS! 4.1%!
2313 VICTORIA DRIVE
497 EAST 10TH AVE
• Legal Apartment Building, Attractive Financing Avail • 8 Suites, 4 Lvl, Character, 6617 SF, 45’X110’ RT-5 Lot • Gr Inc $147,768/yr, 9 Electric Meters, 9 Gas Meters • Investors, Owner-Occupiers, Developers Asking $2,980,000
• Character 7+ Unit Multifamily Building, 4650 SF • 49’X124’ Corner RT-5 Lot, Nice Quiet Street • Gr Income $105,000/yr. Potential for Add’l Revenue • Investors, Owner-Occupiers Asking $2,450,000
• Mount Pleasant 4 Unit House Plus • A separate Artist Studio, nice street MT PLEASANT MULTIFAMILY FIXER UPPER SOLD • Character, 2700 SF Multifamily Bldg 4 OVER UNITS! • 2X1 Bdrm, 1 Bdrm + Den, Bach, Studio ASK! • Updated, Newer Kitchens and Baths • Gross Income $60,240/yr • Potential Income $72,000/yr • Opportunity to Add Income & Value 850 EAST 12TH AVE • 33’X122’ RT-5 North Lot, Renovators • Fixer Upper, 4 Suite House Plus Additional Revenue • 3 Level, 3005 SF, 1X2 Bdrm, 1X1 Bdrm, 2 Bachelor • Investors, Owner-Occupiers • Gr Income $40,860/yr, 420 SF Garage with Power Asking $1,699,000 • Renovate/Dev to Add Value. Asking $998,000
COMMERCIAL DRIVE 3 SUITE HOUSE SOLD 3 OVER UNITS! ASK!
2049 VENABLES STREET • Big Commercial Dr Area 3 Suite, 2690 SF House • 1X1 Bdrm, 1X1 Bdrm & Den, 1X2 Level 4 Bdrm • Gr Inc $40,200/yr, 33’X124’ RT-4 Lot, Quiet Street • Investors, Owner-Occupiers Asking $1,299,000
HOUSES DUPLEX TRIPLEX 4PLEX 5PLEX 6+ UNITS APARTMENT BUILDINGS DEV SITES
R E W.ca » VA N COU V E R E ASTS I D E » T H U RS DAY A P R I L 7, 2 0 1 6
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R E W.ca » VA N COU V E R E ASTS I D E » T H U RS DAY A P R I L 7, 2 0 1 6
PR
IC CO ING M & IN VI G EW TH I IS NG W IN EE FO K!
FINELY CRAFTED AND INDIVIDUALLY CURATED HOMES
With 4 homes and a coach house, THE COLUMBIA will be an enviable place to live. Included are two 1 bedroom garden suites, two 3 bedroom homes above and one 2 bedroom and den coach house.
1-3 bedrooms + coach house
– Completion date Spring 2016 – Details include: Caesarstone quartz countertops ❙ shaker style custom cabinetry double hung windows ❙ stainless steel appliances
engineered hardwood floors ❙ extensive use of natural stone contemporary plumbing and lighting fixtures ❙ shingle wood siding
Located at the corner of 16th Ave/Columbia St in the heart of Mt. Pleasant
PRE-REGISTER at liveatcolumbia.com Quality built by
Call for more details
Ruthie Shugarman 604.879.2941 • Paige Kraft 604.603.3475 DEXTER
ASSSOCIATES REALTY
This is currently not an offering for sale. Any such offering can only be made with a disclousre statement. E.&O.E.
SIMMY SANDHU 604-897-5880 DEXTER ASSOCIATES REALTY
OPEN HOUSE APRIL 9 /10 NEW LISTING! TH
TH
SAT & SUN 2-4PM $988,000
SNEAK PREVIEW: THURS 6-7PM - OPEN SAT/SUN 2-4PM WEST SIDE TOWNHOUSE THAT FEELS LIKE A HALF DUPLEX! 1847 W. 12TH AVE.
$1,080,000
Spacious 2 bedroom, 3 bathroom townhouse with over 1200 square feet of living space, open concept living room & dining room and lots of updates! Home has 2 patios, front & back and a bonus shared rooftop garden. Minutes to Downtown, Vancouver Lawn & Tennis Club. Donʼt miss the opportunity to own in this fabulous West side neighbourhood. Sneak preview: Thursday 6-7pm. OPEN HOUSE SAT/SUN 2-4pm. 1847 W. 12TH AVE.
604-649-7040 LORI PETTIGREW
ALAN YASIN
www.YourRealtyDreams.com
DEXTER ASSOCIATES REALTY WATERFRONT LIVING
16 NORTH KASLO STREET Adorable CHARACTER STARTER HOME! Cute-as-a-button, 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom - 2 LEVEL HOUSE with large fenced yard on quiet, tree-lined Kaslo Street. Fabulous neighbourhood next to Callister Park, right on the Sunrise Bikeway and a one block walk to Exhibition Park. Ideal for the family looking for cozy home with yard (Italian Plum tree included) on great street. 3 blocks to Hastings Elementary School (with French Immersion) - http://hastings.vsb.bc.ca, and Tillicum Annex - http://tillicum.vsb.bc.ca. Come join us at our open houses Sat/Sun April 9/10 (2-4pm)
$350,000 RENOVATED VIEW CONDO FABULOUS PATIO Waterfront VIEW condo along the Fraser River! Spacious 1 bed with large patio! In-suite storage, laundry, parking. Wellmaintained RAINSCREENED freehold building with resortstyle amenities! Steps to transit, parks, river walkway. A MUST SEE! Call to view. 107-2020 E.KENT AVE.
R E W.ca » VA N COU V E R E ASTS I D E » T H U RS DAY A P R I L 7, 2 0 1 6
“Your East Vancouver Real Estate Experts!” NEW LISTING
$1,898,900
Lisa MacIntosh
Diane Kunic-Grandjean
KITSILANO NORTH OF 4TH – ½ DUPLEX SOUTH EAST CORNER LOT – 3 BED, 2.5 BATH Located on the North of 4th, this very spacious front 1771 square foot ½ duplex sits on the South-East corner, offering 3 generous beds, 2.5 baths on 3 levels & is one not to be missed! Relax in the top floor secluded master bed w/ lounge area & large en-suite bathed by natural sunlight coming from numerous skylights & South facing windows. The 2nd floor has 2 more sizeable bedrooms, and a large en-suite. The main floor houses your kitchen w/ eat-in area, a large foyer w/ powder room and an open concept dining-living room opening onto your South facing ample private patio. Beautiful h/w floor in most rooms, closet/storage galore throughout & 1 car detached garage. Bring your house furniture, they will fit! This is Kitsilano living….
3203 W.3rd Ave.
HASTINGS SUNRISE RENOVATED SOUTH FACING 1 BEDROOM IN A GREAT BUILDING! NEW LISTING
$299,900
229-2033 TRIUMPH ST.
$899,000
NEW LISTING
$2,250,000
Beautifully renovated 1 bdrm suite in the heart of Hastings Sunrise. This South facing unit is light & bright with a sundrenched South facing balcony. Updated Ikea kitchen and bathroom, laminate floor throughout. Large in-suite storage. Additional storage locker with secured parking. Very well maintained building – fully re-plumbed in 2012, new roof in 2006, healthy contingency fund & depreciation report. Rentals & pets (one dog or cat) allowed. Fabulous location - just down the street to Parallel 49 micro-brewery, Red Wagon Restaurant, Donaldʼs Market, only 10 minutes to downtown & short stroll to The Drive. Strata fee includes heat & hot water.
THE HYCROFT TOWERS – RARELY AVAILABLE 3 BED, 2 BATH – 1,399SQFT #408-1445 MARPOLE ST.
KITSILANO HOME
Rarely available 3 bdrm corner unit at Hycroft Towers, one of Vancouver’s most iconic 1950s Modernist apartment buildings. Fabulous floor plan with open concept living/dining area, just under 1,400 sq.ft. Light & bright with wall-towall windows and a North Westerly outlook. Nicely updated kitchen, gleaming oak floors throughout – this home has been immaculately kept. Oversized Master bedroom with en-suite & lots of built-in storage. Bathrooms are fairly original – enjoy the retro look, or renovate to create your own dream spa! BONUS – Very large storage locker and rooftop deck with gardens offering 360 degree city, water & mountain VIEWS. Well run building with livein caretaker. Rentals are not allowed, 1 cat is permitted. Steps to South Granville shopping.
Fabulous location in the heart of Kitsilano – on the quiet part of West 12th. Great investment property, clean & well maintained with long-term tenants. Hold & continue to rent out the 3 suites ($3,415/month), renovate into a lovely family home, or build your dream home. Level 33’ x 122’ lot with South facing backyard and lane access (Laneway house potential). Close to all the amenities that Kits has to offer, just a short stroll to Kitsilano Secondary, Kits Community Centre & Connaught Park. 2764 W. 12TH AVE.
HASTINGS SUNRISE VERY SPACIOUS 1 BEDROOM IN A GREAT BUILDING! NEW LISTING
$299,900
237-2033 TRIUMPH ST
Bright & very spacious 1 bdrm suite in the heart of Hastings Sunrise. Corner unit – North West facing with large wrap around balcony. Nicely updated with laminate flooring. Lots of windows for a light filled living space. Huge in-suite storage – could be used as office space. Additional storage locker with secured parking. Very wellmaintained building – fully re-plumbed in 2012, new roof in 2006, healthy contingency fund & depreciation report – Rentals & pets (one dog or cat) allowed. Fabulous location – just down the street to Parallel 49 micro-brewery, Red Wagon Restaurant, Donaldʼs Market, only 10 minutes to downtown & a short stroll to the Drive. Strata fee includes heat & hot water.
L i s a M a c I n t o s h Te a m - D e x t e r A s s o c i a t e s R e a l t y Medallion Club - Top 10% of Realtors in Greater Vancouver Photos & Visual Tours at: www.lisamacintosh.com Email: lisa@lisamacintosh.com Tel: 604-263-1144
It’s not unusual to call www.dexterrealty.com
604-689-8226 Yaletown 604-336-3539 Main Street 604-263-1144 Kerrisdale 2825 E. 43RD AVE.
$1,800,000
Taking our Listings Global 2204-1775 QUEBEC ST.
$858,000
Y O U R R E A L E S TAT E P R O F E S S I O N A L
604 722 1316 www.tomjoneshomes.ca www.musqueamhomes.com
DEXTER ASSOCIATES REALTY
OPEN SAT 10:30AM – 12:00PM / SUN 2-4PM 227 E. 62ND AVE.
★ Prime Killarney Area. RS-1 Lot. Mateen Qureshi 604-488-9874
OPEN SAT/SUN 2-4PM PURE LUXURY
• Stunning mountain views & BIG BALCONY • High-end finishings • Walking distance to everything! SHEILA SONTZ 604-551-9505
$1,198,000
Amazing value for this cared-for Vancouver Special, 2 storey home. Upstairs features 3 bedrooms, living, dining and large kitchen. Main level has 2 bedrooms and huge recreation room. This home has approximately 2300 sq.ft. with a newer roof and oil tank inspection. Conveniently located with easy access to public schools, parks, airport, Sunset Community Centre, shopping and easy transit access to downtown. Please come by and view during the Open Houses or arrange for a private viewing. 227 E. 62ND AVE.
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R E W.ca » VA N COU V E R E ASTS I D E » T H U RS DAY A P R I L 7, 2 0 1 6
"MR. ROGERS" Luke e
Glenn
It’s time for a mortgage check-up
604.790.2345
604.780.2304 4
www.MRROGERS.ca Brookside Realty 11933 224th Street Maple Ridge, BC
ING
NEW
LIST
$538,900
206-1618 QUEBEC OPEN SUNDAY April 10th 2-4 PM Central by Onni-Quality Concrete Building 1 bedroom plus den, Parking and storage Overlooking False Creek & Scienceworld
2.59
Walk to seawall,skytrain, shops, beaches, restaurants A/C, Engineered Hardwood, high end finishes
Switching is easy
Lower your payments
Get up to $1,000†
Plus more Prospera Perks‡
NORM FLOCKHART
PREC
(604) 261-7275 13 Year Member of MLS Medallion Club $1,235,000
ONLY AVAILABLE ** UNTIL JUNE 30
D L O S
Talk to us today!
1911 CHARACTER HOME! QUIET, NON-THRU STREET! *Some conditions apply. The Annual Percentage Rate (APR) is for a mortgage of $100,000 with monthly payments and a 25-year amortization, assuming no fees apply. If fees and/or charges apply, the total Cost of Credit and APR would increase. This promotion is subject to member(s) being approved by Prospera Credit Union’s lending guidelines. Limited time offer. **Mortgage must be approved by June 30, 2016 to qualify. Offer and rate may be changed, extended, or withdrawn at any time without notice. Available O.A.C.†Prospera will reimburse up to a maximum of $1,000 the discharge fee charged by the member’s current financial institution and/or any new legal and appraisal fees. ‡For full details on the myStyle mortgage and Prospera Perks, please visit www.prospera.ca, talk to us at a branch or call 1.888.440.4480.
This home features 2 BR's on Main, full bath, LR/DR combo & Kitchen w/pull-out drawers, swing storage, wine rack & pantry. Den or office space in Attic. 1 or 2 BR ground level suite. Sunny west-facing deck & yard. 33' x 110' lot. 5325 Chester Street.
www.normflockhart.com
View Lot... SFU Area... N. Burnaby OPEN Saturday 2-4 7055 Ridge Drive (Westridge) $1,298,000.00 Water and Mountain View lot (60 x 120) on a quiet cul de sac. Great building lot build your dream home or investment property. Comfortable 3 bedroom home with liv and din room, hardwood floors and full basement. One owner home… first time offered. By appointment Vic Jang 604 889-8001
Your one-stop source of lower mainland home listings and real estate news.
(604) 889-8001
Westburn Realty
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R E W.ca » VA N COU V E R E ASTS I D E » T H U RS DAY A P R I L 7, 2 0 1 6
G IN PM EN - 5 OP 12 D H AN 16T GR RIL AP
VANCOUVER LUXURY. ABBOTSFORD PRICES. FROM THE MID $200’S GENEROUSLY SIZED - 674 SF TO 1,680 SF*
R EG I S T E R TO DAY F O R T H E G R A N D O P E N I N G E V E N T
LIVINGMAHOGANY.COM
778.255.9990
INTRODUCING MAHOGANY, A SPECTACULAR NEW COLLECTION OF LUXURY HOMES. WITH 26 STOREYS OF CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION, INCREDIBLE VIEWS AND GENEROUS AMENITIES OVERLOOKING BEAUTIFUL MILL LAKE, MAHOGANY IS TRULY THE NEW HEIGHT OF LIVING IN ABBOTSFORD. TO LIVE HERE IS TO LIVE WELL. Marketed by GLOBEWEST - Multiple Realty Ltd. and Quantum Realty Inc. Managed by the Quantum Properties Group of Companies. %&0 &0 +,1 + ,ƛ"/&+$ #,/ 0 )"ǽ +6 02 % ,ƛ"/&+$ * 6 ,+)6 " * !" 6 !&0 ),02/" 01 1"*"+1ǽ %" !"3"),-"/ /"0"/3"0 1%" /&$%1 1, *,!&#6 -) +0Ǿ -/& "0Ǿ #" 12/"0 +! 0-" &Ɯ 1&,+0 4&1%,21 +,1& " 0 * 6 " +" "00 /6 +! 1 1%"&/ 0,)" !&0 /"1&,+ǽ ǽ ǔ ǽ ǽ ȥ ) ,+6 0- " &0 &+ )2!"! &+ 0-" &Ɯ"! 0.2 /" #,,1 $"0ǽ
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VANCOUVER EASTSIDE
THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 2016
Looking for a new home? Start here.
R E A L
E S T A T E
W E E K L Y
Vancouver’s View Cones a “Questionable Extravagance,” says Developer V ancouver may be running out of land on which to build more housing, but there’s plenty of space overhead – we just need to rethink the value of specific views, the Urban Development Institute’s incoming chair told listeners of the Real Estate Therapist radio show March 26. Speaking to Joannah Connolly, editor and content manager of REW.ca and host of the weekly Saturday morning call-in show, Jon Stovell said that radical measures had to be taken to vastly increase density and meet the demand for housing in Vancouver. He argued that only by increasing supply in much greater measures would affordability be achieved. On the live radio show, Stovell, who is president and CEO of Reliance Properties, the developer behind the One Burrard Place highrise project on
Burrard Street, said, “Vancouver has arrived on the global scene. Whether we like it or not, this change is upon us. People are coming from all over the world, which is a great thing. But it’s sad that it means that a lot of local residents can’t afford to own homes, or often even to rent them. “But this is completely a self-inflicted problem, on our part, where we’re simply not responding to the influx of investment and growth as an opportunity, and instead we’re trying to raise the drawbridge and fill the moat with alligators. We should be welcoming the world in, we should be finding ways to create supply of housing. “There are almost infinite opportunities in which we could increase supply, and all of the constraints are built around artificial barriers or sentiment or parochial attitudes about not changing
the way we live. We need to break this wide open and really start tackling this in every neighbourhood and on every front. “My go-to neighbourhood to increase density is downtown – it’s extremely well served by transit, it’s walkable, it’s got great amenities – yet there is the sentiment that it’s built out, which is simply wrong. We have tower zones that are limited to 300 feet high – why not 500 feet? We have zones that are 700 feet, why not 1,000 feet? Why not 2,000 feet high? “We talk about having a limited land base, but we have an unlimited land base above our heads. And there are many, many buildings in downtown Vancouver that are only three to five storeys high.” When asked about public concern over the protection of viewpoints and view
cones, Stovell responded, “The view cones are maybe a questionable extravagance, at this point. Our mountains are 4,000 feet high. The view cones protect certain viewpoints at a certain moment. I don’t know that the view cones are something that will be able to survive the continuing growth pressures of the city. “As for public concern… it’s only when the city started to stop a lot of the development downtown, and you move out into Grandview-Woodland and Marpole where we started to get some really strenuous pushback from people, as the changes are much more alarming to them.” Tune in every Saturday 9-10am to the Real Estate Therapist Show on CIRH Roundhouse Radio 98.3FM, and listen to shows live or on demand at www.roundhouseradio.com.
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