WEST COAST CONDO Spring/Summer, 2017

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Showcasing the best of condo living in the Lower Mainland

Spring/Summer 2017

OLD CHARM NEW LIFE HERITAGE CONVERSIONS INTO NEW CONDO COMMUNITIES ARE COMING OF AGE | 20 DIGGING THE DIRT Why condo living can work for green thumbs

FANCY VS. FUNKY This Westside townhome strikes a perfect balance

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IN THE MIX Designer tips on blending different décor styles

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BY MULTI - FAMILY HOME BUILDER OF THE YEAR

2017 Grand Georgie Winner – Multi-Family Home Builder of the Year / Zenterra

3 and 4 bedroom townhomes

Ocean & mountain views

Huge private rooftop patios

Multi-award winning builder

SOHO SALES CENTRE 2280–163 ST. SURREY | DAILY 12 TO 5 PM | 604.560.0272

Located in the heart of Morgan Crossing

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Fresh look, fresh content

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warm welcome to the newlook West Coast Condo.

We’re very proud of how gorgeous our new design is, with a freshness that’s perfect for our Spring/Summer 2017 edition. In fact, we’re imagining you sitting out on your condo deck in the sunshine with a delicious drink,

flipping through our lovely pages!

Our quarterly magazine aims to showcase the best in condo living along Canada’s West Coast and in the Lower Mainland in particular.

We’ll be giving you tours of stunning condos and townhomes that the owners have graciously invited us into. We’ll offer

inspiration and advice on making the most of your condo home, both for indoor and outdoor living. And we will have regular architectural features, like our cover story on the evolution of heritage conversions into condo communities, which beautifully blend old and new.

In addition, you’ll see our regular picks of products that we love for condo life, photos of the hottest development community events of the season, and of course our essential City Snapshots to give you specific insights into local condo markets.

We hope you’ll love this magazine as much as we do – and please reach out with any comments, requests or questions.

We’re always thrilled to hear from you.

Happy reading, and have a wonderful summer!

Joannah Connolly Editor-in-Chief West Coast Condo Joannah Connolly is the editor-in-chief of West Coast Condo and Western Investor newspaper, and is the editor and content manager of Real Estate Weekly and REW.ca. She appears regularly on radio, TV and conference panels discussing the Vancouver real estate market.

OUR CONTRIBUTORS

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Stephanie MacDonald

Jill Lunde

Stephanie MacDonald has been a writer and editor in Vancouver for over 13 years, specializing in design, lifestyle and real estate. She loves ogling modernist mansions, delicious kitchen projects and escaping to out-ofthe-way Gulf Islands.

Vancouver born and bred, Jill Lunde has been writing on BC’s housing sector for many years. She’s old enough to remember when there was no rapid transit and no one lived (or wanted to live!) downtown. She lives with her husband, son and 20-year-old cat in a townhouse on the Fraser River.

Susan M Boyce

Michelle Hopkins

Susan M Boyce is a Vancouver-born journalist who’s spent over 20 years writing about the local residential real estate scene. In addition to being a regular contributor to West Coast Condo and Real Estate Weekly, she is the author of the book Old Landmark, New Life: the Story of the Historic Bose Family Farm.

Michelle Hopkins is a freelance writer based in Vancouver, BC. She has extensive newspaper, magazine, web and corporate writing experience.

Michelle has always had a passion for interior design, so being able to write about renovations and home décor is the perfect fit.

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Showcasing the best of condo living in the Lower Mainland

PUBLISHER: Janai York

ADVERTISING SALES: 604.439.2647

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Joannah Connolly

DISTRIBUTION: 604.435.7977

ASSOCIATE EDITOR: Stephanie MacDonald

FAX: 604.439.2630

SALES REPRESENTATIVES: Tracey Aussem, Lynn Fry, Jackie Mollenhauer, Sue Prasad, Igor Pogorelo

EMAIL: salessupport@rew.ca

PRODUCTION MANAGER: Holly Burge PRODUCTION: Darko Isic, Peter Gallagher DESIGNERS: Annette Spreeuw, Arslan Sultan

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VANCOUVER HEAD OFFICE: 303 West 5th Avenue, Vancouver, B.C. V5Y 1J6

COPYRIGHT: WEST COAST CONDO is published quarterly by Real Estate Weekly Partnership. Copyright 2017. While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of articles and advertising that appear in each edition of West Coast Condo, the publisher may not be held responsible for any errors or omissions that may from time to time occur. No part of this publication may be quoted or reprinted in any medium without the express writtenpermission of Real Estate Weekly Partnership.

Rea l Estate W eekly

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WCC LOVES… SUMMERY HOME SCENTS, LUSH INDOOR GREENERY AND SURF-INSPIRED CABINETRY

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GET DIRTY IN THE CITY CONDO LIVING DOESN’T MEAN NO GARDENS, WHETHER COMMUNAL OR COMPACT

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WCC COMMUNITY OUR NEW QUARTERLY ROUND-UP OF THE INDUSTRY’S HOTTEST EVENTS. WERE YOU THERE?

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OLD CHARM, NEW LIFE HERITAGE CONVERSIONS INTO CONDO COMMUNITIES ARE COMING OF AGE IN METRO VAN

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WESTSIDE BALANCE A TOUR OF A DIVINE TOWNHOME IN WHICH KENDALL ANSELL HAS BLENDED CLASSIC AND FUNKY

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A STYLE MARRIAGE DESIGNER KENDALL ANSELL’S FIVE TOP TIPS FOR MERGING DIFFERENT DÉCOR STYLES

32 city snapshots

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vancouver 27 / burnaby 28 / north shore 30 / new west 31 richmond & south delta 32 / surrey 33 / tri-cities 34 WCCONDO.COM

Grand Opening on May 13 NOW AVAILABLE! CALL TO BOOK YOUR PRIVATE VIEWING

3+ 4 + 5 bedroom townhomes with up to 860 square feet of private outdoor space priced from the low-600’s southridgeclub@adera.com 604.582.1113

This is not an offering for sale.

Sales by disclosure statement only. E&OE. Grandview Adera Ventures Ltd. Adera Realty Corp. 2200 - 1055 Dunsmuir Street, Vancouver, BC V7X 1K8 | 604.684.8277

Experience luxurious executive-style living in the South Ridge Club’s newest community, Grandview. Spacious, elegant, functional homes offer views from roof top patios with up to 860 sq ft of private outdoor space.

At the heart of this experience is a private 6,500 sq ft clubhouse with an array of social amenities, including BO PVUEPPS QPPM mSFTJEF MPVOHF LJUDIFO EJOJOH BSFB gymnasium, poolside barbeque and a movie theatre.

Whatever the occasion, there’s ample space to mingle both indoors and out.

Register online today at adera.com

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WCC LOVES...

W elc o m e t h e s e a s o n ’ s s u n s h i n e w i t h p l a n t s , s c en t s a n d s u m m ery ac c es s o r i es

by Stephanie MacDonald

WITH A LONG, grey winter behind us, now’s the time to bring some life into our homes with plants, scents and summery accessories.

Here’s what we’re obsessed with at West Coast Condo right now.

Imbue Goods Rose Water Sprays Infuse your linens, clothes and morning facial routine with the scent of spring, distilled. Imbue Rose Water sprays are multifunctional uplifters for your home and body. Four different blends suit all your moods and are made with pure essential oils to refresh and revitalize.

Tchin Side Table/Cooler

Kermodi Living Art

It’s a place to rest your glass of wine, and also a place to cool your beers! What could be better?

Oh, it also glows, providing light for your patio party, or your solitary evening tipple watching the sunset. This genius product is indoor/outdoor, and currently on sale, so go get a couple.

No outside garden? No problem! Kermodi Living Art brings low-maintenance, high-style greenery into your home wherever you need it. From lush hanging terrariums to architectural statement pots, Kermodi Living Art pieces improve your interior design, as well as your indoor air quality.

From $18 | Parliament Interiors, 115 Water Street, Vancouver 604-689-0800 | parliamentinteriors.com

On sale $298 | Industrial Revolution, 2306 Granville Street industrialrevolution.net

Surfboard Wall Cabinet – Straight Line Designs “Hang ten” of these funky surfboard cabinets, and you’ll have a lot of sweet storage (groan). Add sporty, surfy style to any room with Straight Line Designs’ newest imaginative yet practical piece that blurs the line between art and furniture.

$22 for 60 ml bottle or $78 for the full set of four different scents embuegoods.com

info@straightline designs.com for prices and custom options straightlinedesigns.com

The Water Garden We honestly can’t say what is cooler about the Water Garden, that it grows herbs, or that it’s a self-cleaning fish tank. What we do know is that it is an attractive and unique gift for foodies and fish enthusiasts with little space to spare. Available in Canada through Amazon, or the States through eartheasy.com.

$99 amazon.com

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Grand Opening on May 13 NOW AVAILABLE! CALL TO BOOK YOUR PRIVATE VIEWING

3+ 4 + 5 bedroom townhomes with a full-service clubhouse for effortless entertaining priced from the low-600’s southridgeclub@adera.com 604.582.1113

This is not an offering for sale.

Sales by disclosure statement only. E&OE. Grandview Adera Ventures Ltd. Adera Realty Corp. 2200 - 1055 Dunsmuir Street, Vancouver, BC V7X 1K8 | 604.684.8277

Experience luxurious executive-style living in the South Ridge Club’s newest community, Grandview. Spacious, elegant, functional homes offer views from roof top patios with up to 860 sq ft of private outdoor space.

At the heart of this experience is a private 6,500 sq ft clubhouse with an array of social amenities, including BO PVUEPPS QPPM mSFTJEF MPVOHF LJUDIFO EJOJOH BSFB gymnasium, poolside barbeque and a movie theatre.

Whatever the occasion, there’s ample space to mingle both indoors and out.

Register online today at adera.com

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GET DIRTY IN THE CITY

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a r d enin g b r in g s peo pl e b ac k to t h e e a rt h , e ven if t h e y ’ r e l i v in g in t h e s k y

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by Stephanie MacDonald

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esley Hooper knows how to turn the urban jungle into an actual, edible jungle; building gardens on rooftops, balconies, sideyards and anywhere else that will fit a box of soil and get a bit of daylight.

“Human civilization is built around growing food,” he explains, “if you want to grow food, wherever you are, we can make that happen.”

Making the choice to live in the city comes with plenty of benefits; cultural activities, proximity to work and social events, transit, and, (opposite to what you might think) a more active, walkable lifestyle. It is also the more environmentallyfriendly option, but apartment life can leave people missing the more basic elements of the

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gardens on city land, community gardens in your strata, and balcony gardening.

Community Garden Plots Urban community gardens are generally on city property, and can be found in local parks, alongside railway tracks and other public spaces. Though these plots tend to be in high demand, they do turn over, so getting on a wait list for a few local gardens should pay off within the year.

Copely Community Orchard in East Vancouver just requires a few days joining in their work parties to benefit from the fruit trees and bushes, so you get to meet new people and take home delicious fruit. Pop-up gardens in empty lots are also a good bet, where gardeners are able to use vacant land while developers

“In addition to kids play areas and outdoor entertaining spaces, many of our projects also include gardening plots for residents to grow their own vegetables, herbs and flowers.” – Jason Turcotte, Cressey

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“environment”: a connection with the earth, the seasons and the food we consume. And that’s why gardening is not just for grannies and hippies anymore, everyone’s getting their green thumb growing these days.

Benefits of gardening are well documented – it creates healthy food, involves people in active recreation for all ages, engages people in their community, provides mental relaxation, and creates green spaces for everyone to enjoy. In urban areas there are three main ways to get your hands in the dirt: community

are going through the permit process, which can take years.

Signs in the gardens will usually direct you to the organizers, who can set you up with a plot or a spot on the waitlist, and the plot rental plus the membership fee is generally under $100 per year.

It’s worth it; the great benefits to urban community gardens (besides the homegrown veggies) are the social interaction, growing tips, outdoor exercise and cultural exchange you get with your neighbours, as well as the shared use of knowledge, resources and tools.

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Condo Gardens Communal condo gardens for residents are also a wonderful way to get to know your neighbours and get outside, and moving into a condo that supports these kinds of gardens is not only good for your diet and social life, but it’s proven to be good for the value of your home. Developers have known this for a decade. Says Adera’s Vice President of Development, Eric Andreasen, “At Adera, we know that gardening is important to our home buyers. It is an intellectual endeavour – and a welcomed therapeutic distraction — and has been a surge of urban gardening as more and more people are wanting to grow and care for their own herbs and vegetables.”

Indeed, space for urban gardening was written into the development plan for the Olympic Village neighbourhood

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over ten years ago. That project became a laboratory for how urban agriculture can be designed into high-density developments. In particular, it required shared garden plots for the residential units that lack access to balconies or patios of at least 100 square feet. Some of the larger patios and balconies

included planters to provide residents with the opportunity to grow food.

Cressey Development Group was at the forefront of this innovative approach to common spaces. “Our outdoor amenity spaces were created to provide residents with a chance to enjoy the outdoors and

engage with one another,” says Jason Turcotte, Cressey’s Vice President of Development. “Many of our projects include gardening plots for residents to grow their own vegetable and herb gardens.

These spaces aim to foster a strong sense of community and give residents with a chance to enjoy their Cressey homes.”

GROW IN THE KNOW Not every plant is going to thrive depending where you are growing. Here are some rooftop and balcony growing tips from Wesley Hooper of LifeSpace Gardens. b Be conscious of your challenges: wind and lack of pollinators can be limiting on rooftops. b If you are too high for bees (above the 20th floor) you can pollinate tomatoes, peppers and berries yourself with a soft paintbrush. Below 20 floors, plant a variety of flowers to attract bees and consider installing a mason bee habitat. b Greens like kale, salad, chard and spinach are good producers all year round. Rhubarb is very tolerant of cold and comes back every year. b Pots of herbs brighten up your balcony as well as your meals. Perennials include sage, rosemary and thyme, and they produce beautiful flowers as well! b Cherry tomatoes are the best bet to consistently ripen in our climate, and different varieties can be enjoyed all summer long. b Zucchinis tend to try to take over the whole garden, so unless you have a large space you may want to buy these at the farmers market.

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“If you want to grow food, wherever you are, we can make that happen.”

– Wesley Hooper, LifeSpace Gardens

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Adding A Garden If your strata doesn’t currently have community gardening plots, don’t fret, it’s still possible! This is where Wesley Hooper’s team at LifeSpace Gardens can come in. They have retrofitted many multi-family outside amenity spaces for beautiful, practical, low-maintenance and selfwatering urban gardening spaces, all around the city, and they do balcony gardens as well. If this interests you, bring it up at your next strata council meeting, and you may find your neighbours are just as eager as you are to get digging. Rooftops, balconies, lawns, side gardens can all be

re-purposed as garden plots for residents. (Just make sure you check with an engineer before you start.)

Explains Andreasen, “We partnered with LifeSpace Gardens for our Virtuoso and South Ridge Club communities.

LifeSpace Gardens have a unique self-watering system that allows home owners to grow organic herbs and vegetables on their balconies or rooftop West Coast Lanais.”

Turcotte sums it up, “In a busy city like Vancouver, it’s important to provide spaces for residents to unwind and connect with nature”.

RESOURCES TO FIND COMMUNITY GARDENS Q Vancouver.ca/people-programs/community-garden-resources Q Farmfolkcityfolk.ca/resources Q Cityfarmer.org Q Northshorecommunitygardensociety.ca Q Copelycommunityorchard.com

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REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS IN EVERY WAY, EVERY STEP OF THE WAY. The unrivaled professionalism you get with Dexter Associates Realty is how we work. Propelled by authentic real estate expertise in desirable and luxury properties (and everything in between), Dexter is one of the leading independent brokerages in the Lower Mainland, with a strong group of management and Realtors®.

Real estate is our craft, and we know this market better than anyone else.

Buy or sell your next home with DEXTER

WE KNOW GLOBAL! TAKING YOUR LISTINGS ACROSS THE GLOBE! PROUD MEMBERS OF:

604-263-1144 Kerrisdale

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604-263-1144 Main Street

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WCC COMMUNITY T h e i n d u s t ry ’ s h ot t es t s p r i n g e v en t s – w er e yo u t h er e?

by Stephanie MacDonald

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CHBA Georgie Awards Gala

GVHBA Ovation Awards Finalists Soiree

The winners were announced by emcee Todd Talbot (above), co-host of Love It or List It Vancouver, in front of a sold-out crowd of more than 600 industry professionals.

Crowds gathered at Loungeworks for the Ovation Awards Finalists Soiree to see who made the cut.

1. Marino General Contracting: Steven Marino, Project Manager; Catherine Marino; Meredith Yuen, Marketing Manager; Joe Marino, Founder; and Janai York, publisher at Glacier Media

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5. Mila Duras, Intermind Design; Faye Bork, Dick’s Lumber 6. Lisa Vu, IX-L Masonry Supplies; Ms Nikraftar, Project Mint

7. WCC team: Susan Boyce, writer;

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Jackie Mollenhauer, media sales; Janai York, publisher; Stephanie MacDonald, associate editor

2. Solterra Group of Companies:

8. Zenterra Developments staff

Leanne Rundle, Phyllis Lui, Marco Pegoraro, Laura Rizzo, and Raef Grohne (architectural photographer)

9. David Adair and wife, Blackfish Homes; Mark Cooper, Shakespeare Homes & Renovations Photos courtesy of Carsten Arnold Photography

RED (Real Estate Development) Talks At the Vancouver Playhouse: Confronting Consensus – How does a city perfect its decisionmaking to create the happiest, most liveable place for its citizens?

3. Beau Jarvis of Wesgroup introduces the host and speakers

4. The development, design and planning community enjoys pre-talk cocktails and canapes Jonathan Evans photos

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Over 250 Sales in 2015-2016 and 2 Billion Dollars in Volume* To get your home on The V List call 604.695.1000 REAL ESTATE ADVISORS

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This penthouse offers forever views and an incredible roof top terraces with private hot tub, the perfect tranquil retreat from the city. Every feature offers residents the ability to take full advantage of living on top of one of Vancouver’s tallest and bestlocated residential towers.

Step out from your elevator to your own private luxurious residence in Laguna Parkside Mansion. This 1,718 sq ft expansive unit occupies the entire 4th floor complete with 2 bedrooms and 2 ensuites + powder room for your guests. This luxury residence boasts grand floor-to-ceiling-windows, beautiful hardwood floors, gourmet kitchen, air conditioning and security system. With 2 private patios for your summer barbeques and entertainment, this home is complete with 24-hour concierge, indoor pool, steam room, exercise centre, and social room. This home features amazing views of Stanley Park, Lost Lagoon, Coal Harbour Marina and the North Shore Mountains.

This home is one-of-a-kind!

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Horseshoe Bay

Horseshoe Bay is located in one of the world’s most picturesque landscapes.

Horseshoe Bay by Westbank encapsulates this West Coast lifestyle with its sustainable design, marine boardwalk and West Coast Modernism architecture. World-renowned architect Paul Merrick drew on his West Coast roots to design one of the most anticipated projects in Vancouver on one of the most magnificent building sites on Canada’s Pacific coast. This unbeatable combination is supplemented with a sustainable design, which has reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 70% compared to conventional buildings. Additionally, electric vehicle charging stations are available in the underground parking, and an onsite cistern captures storm water for irrigation, further reducing the carbon footprint of the building.

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Welcome to One Pacific by Concord Pacific, one of Yaletown’s most desirable buildings. This brand new, never occupied 2 bed plus flex home offers sweeping views of False Creek and Coopers Park. Luxurious finishings include engineered floors, marble bathrooms, air-conditioning and gourmet kitchen with integrated Miele appliances. Relax and enjoy the stunning views while eating breakfast on your private balcony or in the breakfast nook. Enjoy 5-Star resort style amenities, with 24 hr concierge, Sky Garden rooftop terrace, and spectacular glass swimming pool with poolside fire pit and cabanas. Everything you need is at your doorstep: walk to the Seawall, parks, transit and the best restaurants, entertainment and shopping.

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VANCOUVER'S NEWEST NEIGHBOURHOOD, ESTABLISHED 1890.

Coming Summer 2017 | Davie & Broughton 18

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Thoughtfully Crafted West End Residences Coming this Summer

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This is not an offering for sale. Any such offering can only be made with a disclosure statement. E.&O.E. Marcon Davie (GP) Ltd.

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OLD CHARM NEW LIFE

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er i tag e c o nver sio n s in to n e w c o n d o c o m m u ni t ies a r e c o m i n g o f ag e

A divine pool beside the original, restored manor house is just one of the amenities at Shannon Wall Centre in Kerrisdale, which was awarded a 2017 Vancouver Heritage Award

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by Stephanie MacDonald

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here’s a revolution underway in some of Metro Vancouver’s oldest neighbourhoods. Historic buildings – often warehouses or industrial properties – are being transformed into dynamic residences with all the modern perks plus a whole lot of unique character.

With almost a dozen heritage conversion projects already completed in Gastown, Chinatown, and New Westminster, Robert Fung, founder of Salient Group, says it’s the individuality of each restoration that he enjoys most.

“There’s nothing template about these homes – they grow out of the existing heritage elements,” he says. “They also have a sincerity, because they were built when design mattered.

A hundred years ago, even a humble warehouse paid attention to good design.”

Salient Group’s Bowman Block in downtown Vancouver is a heritage conversion of a 102-year-old warehouse into super-hip loft condos

Natural complement Preserving the brick, exposed concrete, and massive timbers that are practically synonymous with heritage buildings is painstaking work. Surprisingly, the results are a natural balance to 21st-century minimalism.

“The simplicity of well-done contemporary design is actually a perfect complement to the warmth and textural layering of authentic heritage buildings,” Fung explains.

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Jon Stovell, general manager of Reliance Properties, agrees and notes there’s a pleasing, fundamental sense of solidity to these original structures. One of the company’s most innovative restorations was the Burns Block, a six-storey timber warehouse in downtown Vancouver that was transformed into affordable, rental micro-suites all less than 300 square feet in size.

“We had to gut the building so we could do the seismic, electrical and window upgrades,” Stovell says. “But we preserved all the floor assemblies and left them exposed where we could to the heritage character.”

The building’s brick façade was repaired and existing fire escapes converted into balconies – a bonus for tenants who are rarely able to enjoy private

TRAPPING IT WITH TEJ For years, Tej Kainth, executive director of Tourism New Westminster, had gazed out her office window and wondered why no one had redeveloped the elegant but long unused Trapp Building opposite. When she saw signage announcing it was going to restored and a modern tower added above, she was first in line to learn more about Trapp + Holbrook.

“I’d seen the way Robert Fung mixes old and new in his Gastown projects, and I’m always so impressed,” she says. “This one was the same. There was such respect for the history of the Trapp Building’s heritage, but when I stepped into the show suite it was definitely walking into the future.”

Kainth slept on it. The following day she bought a two-bedroom suite overlooking the river. “Yes, it was fast, but it felt so right… like I’d just said yes to the love of my life.” It’s a love affair that’s never faded.

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“When a building is 100 or 120 years old, there are always stories, so there’s a more emotional connection” – Robert Fung, founder, Salient Group

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Homes at Trapp + Holbrook offer modern interiors that embrace the original architectural details of the building

Life in the Manor

library, and conservation room – was meticulously returned to its former glory to be used as amenity spaces unlike any other, while the upper floor and rear wing found new life as five strata residence.

Although until recently virtually hidden in the centre of a 10-acre property at Granville and 57th Avenue in Kerrisdale, the Shannon Mansion is arguably one of the city’s most intriguing recent heritage conversions.

Originally a private residence in the Beaux Arts style, the mansion is now the heart and soul of the Shannon Wall Centre – a collection of lowrise, luxury condominium homes aimed squarely at well-heeled downsizers. The main floor – featuring foyer, great hall, drawing room, dining room,

Robert Lemon, principal of Robert Lemon Architect Inc., says exhaustive research was required to piece together the elements that had made this 1913 house a grand lady of its day. “We had an artist in New Hampshire replicate the original wallpaper based on archival photographs. We used references from the Smithsonian to establish what period colours would have been used in the great hall’s damask pattern, so we could be confident that the deep green, salmon pick, gold, and burgundy you see there today would be representative of the period.”

outdoor spaces attached to such compact suites. The result garnered the company a long list of awards and both national and international recognition.

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Exposed brick from the original structure makes an eye catching feature wall in the Burns Block lobby by Reliance Properties

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He adds that when they removed the drawing room’s damaged parquet flooring that they believed had been install in the 1930s, they discovered another layer of original, solid oak parquet – a hidden treasure that’s been refinished and restored. In addition to the mansion, Lemon oversaw restoration of the coach house, gatehouse, Italian garden and the property’s perimeter wall – an undertaking that garnered the project a 2017 Vancouver Heritage Award of Honour.

Emotional connection Fung says the allure of heritage buildings transcends age, background, and culture.

“These homes appeal to people of all ages who appreciate the stories behind these building as well as the unique character.

When a building is 100 or 120 years old, there are always stories, so there’s a more emotional connection than you’d ever get in a brand new high-rise. Sometimes people come into our presentation centres and they can tell us more about the neighbourhood than our historians had found out because they actually grew up here.”

The other common thread among those smitten with heritage buildings is a strong sense of self-identity and creativity. Creatives in search of a slightly off the grid lifestyle often flourish in these open environments where life is art and art is life.

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Salient Group’s Bowman Block in downtown Vancouver is a heritage conversion of a 102-year-old warehouse into super-hip loft condos

“There’s no question that it’s harder to adapt a heritage building than it would be to simply knock it down and build a new one,” Fung acknowledges.

“And some buildings just can’t be restored this way. But even if we can only retain a single façade, it can bring a new sense of vibrancy to a neighbourhood.”

THE ORIGINAL OPEN CONCEPT The modular designs and high ceilings inherent in turn of the century warehouses were also the original model for open-concept spaces – an openness that’s sometimes retained to an almost startling degree. In a number of Gastown warehouse conversions, everything from kitchen to living room to sleeping area is located in a single, open room. Even the bathtub may be separated from the main living area only by a small pony wall. Most, however, do add a minimal number of walls to create privacy in sleeping and personal areas.

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WESTSIDE BALANCE

She loves classic, he digs modern; designer Kendall Ansell creates harmony in a Westside townhome update

“Often people living in smaller spaces are scared to commit to this size of chandelier. Scale and proportion are important, and you don’t want a giant sofa to eat up all the real estate, but using a few large pieces in a small space often creates the illusion of a bigger room,” says Kendall,

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the principal of her eponymous interior design company.

It’s not the only oversized piece de resistance. Because the owners, a couple of thirtysomething professionals, love to entertain family and friends, Ansell chose an impressive eight-seat glass and wood dining room table. “This gorgeous table actually has adjustable legs to make the table smaller when they aren’t entertaining,” she notes.

When the couple purchased their two-level townhome, they hoped to blend their styles — his more contemporary, while she preferred farmhouse country chic.

“We loved that it was a twolevel walkout in the city; it really

“

“Using a few large pieces in a small space often creates the illusion of a bigger room” – Kendall Ansell, interior designer

“

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t first glance, the dramatic chrome-caged chandelier in the dining nook dominates this 1,391-square foot Westside townhome. But surprisingly, it is key to adding spaciousness to the living area, says interior designer Kendall Ansell, who was tasked with giving the main floor living space a facelift.

had a cool modern vibe to it,” say the couple. “However, the main floor living space didn’t quite feel finished to us. It had this large empty wall with a cool fireplace — we both agreed something was missing.”

Although the townhome reflected the couple’s personalities, it needed a little warmth and cosiness to the

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open-concept main floor.

“They both wanted a little more texture and pattern added in,” notes Kendall.

“Because it isn’t large space, we made sure to maximize every inch.”

Balancing the wife’s need for country farmhouse chic and husband’s desire for a timeless modern ethos, Kendall offered up a solution in the bank of custom-built cabinetry along the length of the feature wall. “Because their townhome is a concrete building with a very modern design, we couldn’t go full-on farmhouse.

However, we compromised by going for Shaker-style cabinetry in the white unit,” notes Kendall.

“To bring in more of that farmhouse character, we added floating wood shelves above the wine fridge.” Not only did it also tackle the issues they had about lack of storage space, it takes center stage in the bright, lightfilled home.

Another concern for the couple was the linear gas fireplace — it was surrounded by plain, white drywall.

Ansell gave it a facelift with a warm WCCONDO.COM

navy tile surround, which she tied in with navy throw pillows on the couch and chair.

In the living area, the sofa and the clean-lined armchair upholstered in a rich dark blue hue are ideal for curling up with a book or to watch a movie. “By layering warm textures and fabrics you create a very classic look that doesn’t seem to date itself,” she adds.

The thick, soft area rug incorporates deep greys and whites from around the room.

“The rug was purposely chosen to give the space some geometrical pattern,” explains Ansell. “It’s also great for the resident white cat, who sheds a lot.”

When decorating a smaller space such as this, Ansell suggests people stay with light colours, an open concept and pieces that can easily be moved around. “For extra seating, I gave them cubes on rollers in the same fabric as the sofa — they can be added to the sofa to make a sectional of sorts,” says Ansell, adding she also opted for a sofa with skinnier arms to accommodate more guests.

Buying from local artisans and small local retailers is something Kendall and her team truly embrace. She sourced the sofa and chairs from The Living Lab Furniture Co., the eyepopping chandelier from Fredrick Ramond, and the dining room table and chairs from EQ3.

Ultimately, this millennial couple agree that Ansell gave them exactly what they were looking for. “Although we love our modern kitchen with its flat Scandinavian-style cabinetry, we didn’t want that same look for our living room. We wanted some richness and character, and Kendall gave it to us.”

RESOURCES: Rug: CB2.com, 1277 Robson St, Vancouver Sofa and chairs: thelivinglab.ca, 1121 15th Street West, North Vancouver Chandelier: frederickraymondlightinglights.com Dining room table and chairs: EQ3.ca, 2536 Granville Street, Vancouver

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D ES IG N

I N S P I R AT IO N

A STYLE MARRIAGE TO B L EN D T WO D É C O R S T Y L ES , L I K E I N O U R W ES T S I D E TOW N H O M E , D ESIG N ER K EN DA L L A N S EL L O FFER S T H ES E F I VE G R E AT T I P S

J

ust like a couple with different traits who complement each other, blending more than one interior style into a coherent design is possible – but not always easy. The designer responsible for the stunning look of the Westside townhome on the previous pages, Kendall Ansell, offers her five tips to finding common ground between contrasting styles.

2. Find common elements between the two styles by pulling images, whether from the web or from magazines like this one, and seeing what looks good together.

Mood boards or inspiration boards can be a big help here, and you can pick out any similarities in colours, textures, or shapes.

2 3. Keep your space clutterfree, and only keep what is sentimentally or functionally important. It’s easy to look disorganized if you’re blending different styles – so simplicity is essential.

3

1 1. Good design always begins with function rather than form.

So make a list of your functional must-haves. Ask yourself, what do I need this space/table/ object to do? This will help with the planning process, and give you a good starting point.

4. Go extreme. For example, if you have a modern couch, hang a big, ornate gold mirror behind it. Or, if you have an antique dining set, try an industrialstyle light fixture above. The key here is balance. If you go

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4 with one style for the bigger pieces of furniture and just a few small decor items in the second style, the smaller accents won’t visually make sense. It won’t work to be apologetic about mixing styles.

5

5. Be mindful of the environment and care that each style requires. For example, if you have a modern condo with huge windows but love antiques, you will need to keep them out of the sunlight to prevent fading. Be sure to do your research!

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CI T Y

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VANCOUVER

PRESALES

2

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High-tech to classic-style homes 1. TERRACE HOUSE

2. TUDOR HOUSE

3. SYNCHRO

Developer: Port Living Address: 1250 West Hastings Street, Coal Harbour Housing type: Condominiums Number of units: 20 Number of bedrooms: 2 and 3 Square footage: TBA Starting price: TBA Current status: Preconstruction Website: terracehouse.ca Info: Soon to be the world’s tallest hybrid timber structure, this soon-to-be iconic luxury tower in Coal Harbour features one home per floor.

Developer: Formwerks Boutique Properties Address: 459 West 63rd Street Housing type: Townhomes Number of units: 15 Number of bedrooms: 3 Square footage: 1,982 - 2,059 Starting price: TBA Current status: Presale Website: tudorliving.ca Info: This collection of 15 Tudorstyle townhomes on the southwest side of Vancouver are conveniently located near amenities, parks, schools and transportation.

Developer: Bold Properties Address: 379 East Broadway Housing type: Condominiums Number of units: 29 Number of bedrooms: 1 and 2 Square footage: 529 - 1,271 Starting price: TBA Current status: Under construction Website: southgatecity.com Info: Featuring an integrated system of smart home technologies – from wireless climate and lighting control to keyless entry – Synchro is based on the principles of human-centred design.

RESALES

Condos flying off the shelves

by Jill Lunde

T HOT SPOT PACIFIC POKÉ Pacific Poké in Chinatown serves up Hawaiian food – with a decidedly Vancouver twist. You’ll find classic build-your-own poké here, as well as breaks from tradition, like poké paninis, for which chef and coowner Ryan Mah has devised a method to crisp the bread without cooking the fish.

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he detached home market may have cooled down, but attached properties priced right are still flying off the shelves.

That was certainly the case on the both the West Side and East Side in the first four months of 2017.

The highest priced sale, not just in Vancouver but in all the cities we analyzed, was an $8.7 million condo at Two Harbour Green in Coal Harbour, which went for a relatively paltry $20K over asking after three days on the market.

However, high-priced townhomes tended to take longer

to shift. Not far behind the most expensive condo was the highestpriced townhome sale – but that $7.6 million deal took 129 days to come together and it was $380K lower than the seller had hoped for.

East Vancouver prices were, typically, markedly lower. The top townhome sale was for $1.615 million for a home on East 10th Avenue in the GrandviewWoodlands area, which sold after 23 days. Again, high-end condos outstripped townhome prices, with a $2.32 million, 1,533-square-foot unit at City Gate near Science World selling after nine days on the market.

But for those on a budget – fear not, as 158 condos and one townhouse sold for under $400K. They’re still out there…

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BURNABY

PRESALES

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Burnaby towers over its neighbours 1. CONCORD BRENTWOOD

2. THE CITY OF LOUGHEED

3. SOUTHGATE CITY

Developer: Concord Pacific Address: Lougheed and Beta Avenue, Brentwood Housing type: Condominiums and townhomes Number of units: 892 Number of bedrooms: Studio to 3 Square footage: 535 - 1,239 Starting price: $492,300 Current status: Preconstruction Website: concordbrentwood.com Info: This master-planned community is next to 13 acres of park and green space, and will have a Village Central that will host Concord’s signature Super Club, a new urban market, cafes, restaurants and other retailers.

Developer: Shape Properties Address: 9850 Austin Road, Burquitlam Housing type: Condominiums Number of units: 566 (in Tower 1) Number of bedrooms: 1, 2 and 3 Square footage: 552 - 1,248 Starting price: $329,900 Current status: Preconstruction Website: thecityoflougheed.com Info: Located at the new Evergreen line, this new master-planned community will eventually be home to over 40 towers and a redeveloped Lougheed Town Centre, creating a vibrant new hub in Metro Vancouver.

Developer: Ledingham McAllister Address: Griffiths Drive, Edmonds Housing type: Condominiums Number of units: 282 (in first phase) Number of bedrooms: Studio to 3 Starting price: TBA Current status: Preconstruction Website: southgatecity.com Info: The first phase of a 60-acre master-planned community in Edmonds. Over half the land area is dedicated to greenspace, and the community is equipped with shops and services and a fully programmed community centre.

RESALES

The lasting impact of SkyTrain

by Jill Lunde

HOT SPOT THE ART OF SAUNA This new wellness centre in southeast Burnaby draws on the age-old relaxation practices from around the world. There’s an Egyptian Rasul, a Roman Steam Room, a Turkish Hammam, a Russian Banya, a Finnish Sauna, and more.

Book a massage to get the full experience.

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B

urnaby’s Cariboo community has enjoyed rapid transit accessibility for many years and its benefit can still be seen in the city’s resales.

Two of the five condos that sold for the most over-asking in the year’s first four months were in the neighbourhood’s Barclay Woods complex. However, the greatest gain was for a Metrotown condo, which sold after a week for 23 per cent over its

$360K list price, at $441,800.

The Burnaby townhome enjoying the best over-asking offer between January and April was in a twobedroom South Burnaby home, which also sold for 23 per cent over its $438,000 list price, netting the seller a cool $100K. However, the median soldvs-asking price change for all attached units during the same period was an unexciting zero per cent, with 519 properties selling for between three per cent over and three per cent under their

sticker price. So sellers, don’t bank on any sky-high bids.

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CI T Y

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NORTH SHORE

PRESALES

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Condo living in the heart of nature 1. HORSESHOE BAY

2. BROOKLYNN

Developer: Westbank Address: 6695 Nelson Avenue, West Vancouver Housing type: Condominiums and townhomes Number of units: 171 Number of bedrooms: 1, 2 and 3 Square footage: 900 - 6,000+ Starting price: $978,900 Current status: Preconstruction Website: horseshoebaywestvancouver.com Info: The development has over 80 plans available with access to the Boat House, an amenity for all residents. This elegant, soaring structure includes a wood-decked gathering hall, a residents’ lounge, and a top-end power boat available for pleasure cruising— with or without a pilot.

Developer: Wanson Development Address: 467 Mountain Highway, North Vancouver Housing type: Condominiums Number of units: 63 Number of bedrooms: 1, 2 and 3 Square footage: TBA Starting price: $299,900 Current status: Preconstruction Website: brooklynnliving.com Info: Look for modern design and light-filled spaces in the heart of the vibrant Lynn Creek Town Centre.

All BrookLynn homes are accessed from an expansive open-air courtyard that enhances natural light and airflow. Mountain-view units will remind you of the great outdoors at your doorstep.

RESALES

Six-million-dollar penthouse, anyone?

by Jill Lunde

HOT SPOT CAFFÈ ARTIGIANO PARK ROYAL The floor-to-ceiling windows at Caffè Artigiano Park Royal let in enough light to bolster the effect of the caffeine from their artisanal Italian-style coffees. As well as a delicious array of pastries (fruitand-nut scones are a must-try), this café has tempting savoury options, including sandwiches made with Vancouver’s Terra Breads.

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F

ifty condo apartments valued over $1 million changed hands on the North Shore during the first four months of 2017. No surprise that the priciest homes were in West Vancouver, where the apartment to take the top prize was in the yet-unbuilt Horseshoe Bay West Vancouver project. This 3,195-square-foot condo assignment was listed and sold in six days for its full asking price: a whopping $5,998,000. In fact, Horseshoe Bay assignments took three of the five most expensive condo resales in the

first four months of the year on the North Shore. Considerably cheaper was the most expensive townhouse to change hands in the same period. A three-bedroom on Carr Lane took four days to sell for its list price of $2,780,000.

You have to drop down in price to find the North Vancouver equivalents. There, the most expensive townhome to change hands was in The Manor at Edgemont in the Capilano community. This four-bedroom, 3,070-square-foot beauty sold for $2 million on the nose —$99K off its list price after seven days.

As for apartments… the top seller

was, again, more expensive. It was a home in the new Residences at Lynn Valley community, sold for its list price of $2,099,000 on its first day on the market.

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CI T Y

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NEW WESTMINSTER

PRESALES

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Brand new homes for lower prices 1. THE PENINSULA AT PORT ROYAL Developer: Aragon Address: 210 Salter Street, Queensborough Housing type: Townhomes and condominiums Number of units: 163 Number of bedrooms: 1, 2 and 3 and 3+den Square footage: 741 - 2,355 Starting price: $439,900 Completion: Summer 2017 Website: aragon.ca/thepeninsula Info: This property has access to a private marina, and resort-style amenities from a fitness studio and screening room to a private club with fireplace, pool table and a chef’s kitchen for entertaining.

2. QUEEN’S PARK ESTATE Developer: Queens Park Townhomes Ltd. Address: 240 Jardine Street, Queensborough Housing type: Townhomes Number of units: 32 Number of bedrooms: 2 and 3 Square footage: 1,131 - 1,515 Starting price: mid-$500,000s Completion: Late 2017 Website: queensparkestate.com Info: Affordable new townhomes with a touch of luxury with the latest in conveniences, contemporary details and a classic sensibility.

3. THE COLUMBIA AT BREWERY DISTRICT Developer: Wesgroup Address: 285 Nelson’s Court (Sales Centre) Housing type: Townhomes and condominiums Number of units: 242 Number of bedrooms: 1, 2 and 3 Square footage: 515 - 1,000 Starting price: TBA Completion: 2019 Website: thebrewerydistrict.ca Info: Amenities include meeting rooms, a craft room, full kitchen, squash court, dance studio, sauna and steam room, a weight room, indoor lounge, gym facilities and a yoga centre.

RESALES

The view from the top

by Jill Lunde

HOT SPOT BRICK & MORTAR This shop offers a carefully curated collection of locally sourced, one-of a kind home décor pieces, jewellery, and other treasures. This is the place to come for New West swag, such as city maps (framed or not) and T-shirts ranging from ittybitty baby sized on up.

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T

he new owners of a condo in The Riviera in the Quay community are living the high life, having purchased New Westminster’s most expensive condo registered as sold in the first four months of 2017. They snapped up their room with a view for its asking price of $1,588,800 after only eight days on the market. Meanwhile, the most expensive townhouse to

sell in the first four months this year was in the prestigious Queen’s Park neighbourhood.

The three-bed Victoria Hill property took six days to sell and went for $20K under its $895,000 price tag.

The condo to pull the biggest punch in the first quarter was a modest one-bedroom apartment in Sapperton. The Westmount Arms suite closed after five days for a whopping 25 per cent over its $134,800 asking price.

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RICHMOND & SOUTH DELTA

PRESALES

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Life on the sunnier side 1. VIEWSTAR

2. DAHLIA AT THE GARDENS

3. RPP III

Developer: Yuanheng Holdings

Developer: Townline Address: 10880 Number 5 Road, Richmond Housing type: Condominiums Number of units: 1, 2 and 3 Number of bedrooms: 2 and 3 Square footage: 556 - 1,214 Starting price: TBA Current status: Preconstruction (sales will launch end of May) Website: gardens.townline.ca Info: This is the final phase of The Gardens, located steps away from shopping and restaurants.

Residents have exclusive access to 6,000-square-foot amenity complex The Gardens Club, with a state-of-the-art fitness centre.

Developer: Intracorp Address: 7671 Alderbridge Way, Richmond Housing type: Condominiums Number of units: 142 Number of bedrooms: 1, 2 and 3 Square footage: 445 – 2,793 Starting price: $1,529,900 Current status: Pre-construction (occupancy 2019) Website: intracorp.ca/project/rpp3 Info: RPP III is Intracorp’s last phase at River Park Place in Oval Village. Owners will enjoy stunning views and great amenities, including state-of-the-art music rooms, games and study rooms, a business centre, fitness space and car wash.

Address: Number 3 Road, Capstan Village Housing type: Condominiums and townhomes Number of units: 850 Number of bedrooms: 1-4 Square footage: 741 - 2,355 Starting price: TBA Current status: Preconstruction Website: viewstar.ca Info: Mixed-use development with 13,000 square feet of amenities with swimming pool, terraced rooftop gardens, elevated central park and a 35,000 square-foot integrated community centre.

RESALES

Condo prices outstrip townhomes

by Jill Lunde

HOT SPOT BANH MI TRES BON Richmond’s Banh Mi Tres Bon celebrates the French influence on Vietnamese cuisine, taking its name the Vietnamese sandwich made with a baguette: banh mi.

Bahn Mi also serves banh khot (tiny, delectable rice crepes, topped with shrimp), Vietnamese salads, pho, French pastries, and more.

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T

here are deep pockets anywhere you go in Metro Vancouver but some choose to live where the sun shines most: Richmond, Ladner and Tsawwassen. Wondering what the most expensive condos to change hands were between January and April? In Richmond the answer was River Green, where the owners of a three-bedroom apartment listed just shy of $2 million settled for eight per cent less: $1,850,000. A

Tsawwassen Springs home ranked as that community’s top seller.

On the market for 117 days, this three-bedroom apartment sold for seven per cent under asking: $1.5 million. In Ladner, a townhome was the top seller. This Chesapeake Landing three-bed also went for under asking. It sold after a month for $990,000 (list price was $1,040,000).

Casting your eye to the condos that sold most over their asking price in the first quarter, a Colony Bay apartment in Brighouse South

took seven days to close 13 per cent over its $459,000 list price.

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SURREY

PRESALES

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Downtown’s evolution to a bustling centre 1. PARK BOULEVARD

2. THE HUB AT KING GEORGE STATION

Developer: Concord Pacific Address: 9887 Whalley Boulevard Housing type: Condominiums Number of units: 414 Number of bedrooms: TBA Starting price: TBA Current status: Preconstruction Website: parkboulevardliving.com Info: Park Boulevard, located in the city’s largest and most central integrated transit community, will be the first tower in Surrey with a signature interactive light display. The development will also be the first in Surrey with electric vehicle charging outlets in 50 per cent of parking stalls.

Developer: PCI Group Address: Fraser Highway and King George Boulevard Housing type: Condominiums Number of units: 600 Number of bedrooms: TBA Starting price: TBA Current status: Preconstruction Website: thehubkgs.com Info: The HUB is a four-phase, mixed-use, transitoriented community. Phase A, now complete, includes the innovative headquarters of Coast Capital Savings.

Once complete, the overall development will provide approximately 345,000 square feet of pedestrianfriendly retail, 495,000 square-feet of sustainable office space and 1,200 residential units.

RESALES

Glass half full for sellers and buyers

by Jill Lunde

W HOT SPOT CENTRAL CITY BREW PUB Central City Brewery is famous for its Red Racer IPA, and this is the place where it all began. To accompany its ever-revolving selection of tap beer, the brewpub has a solid food menu, from which customers can order all the things that are just better with beer, such as burgers, pizza, and nachos.

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hether you struck a good deal or not always depends on which side of the bargain you’re sitting. For Surrey condo sellers in the first four months of 2017, the glass was half full – especially for the Whalley condo owners who walked away from the bargaining table with 29 per cent more than their $149,800 asking price – still a steal at $193,000.

The 537-square-foot, onebedroom unit sold after only four days on the market. It was a similar story in Guildford where,

after seven days on the market, a three-bed townhouse sold for $406K – 27 per cent more than the listed price.

However, the highest actual sale price in the region was two per cent under asking – a four-bedroom North Delta townhome that sold for $805,000 after 29 days. The priciest condo in the region went for exactly its list price of $677,900 – this was a two-bed North Surrey unit that sold after 15 days.

However, buyers on a budget were happy too. More than half of the attached home sales were

for less than $400K in 2017’s first four months.

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TRI-CITIES

PRESALES

1

2

Condo living in the heart of nature 1. 567 CLARKE + COMO

2. FLAVELLE MILL

Developer: Marcon Address: 567 Clarke Road, Coquitlam Housing type: Condominiums and townhomes Number of units: 364 Number of bedrooms: TBA Square footage: TBA Starting price: TBA Current status: Preconstruction Website: marcon.567living.ca Info: The development will be Coquitlam’s tallest tower and will include 20,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor amenities including a barbecue area, a rooftop garden, children’s play space, concierge service, a gym, squash court, yoga studio, and guest suites.

Developer: Flavelle Oceanfront Development Address: 2400 Murray Street, Port Moody Housing type: Condominiums and townhomes Number of units: 3,397 Number of bedrooms: TBA Starting price: TBA Current status: Preconstruction Website: flavelleoceanfront.ca Info: Currently in the proposal stage, Flavelle Mill aims to transform a 34-acre site along the Burrard Inlet, with 3,397 residential units planned. Eleven towers will be built, ranging from 16 to 38 storeys, as well as new trails and a boardwalk along the water’s edge, a public plaza, new office and retail space, and live/work space for artists.

RESALES

No resale blues for Port Moody

by Jill Lunde

P HOT SPOT GILLNETTER PUB Port-Coquitlam’s Gillnetter Pub is a neighbourhood local that draws people in from across the Tri-Cities with its heated river-view patio, standard pub fare, and on-site liquor store. This nautical-themed pub is a reliable – and colourful – standby.

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ort Moody has always been the property queen in the Tri-Cities and the first four months of 2017 were no different, as it was home to the highestsale-price apartment. A threebedroom in Crescendo took top prize for apartments; it sold for $1,443,000 – two per cent off its list price– after only two days on the market. However, Port Moody’s top townhouse sale, in the Treetops complex in Heritage Mountain, was not the priciest in the TriCities. Its sellers accepted an offer one per cent less than

their $986,000 asking price after only six days.

Coquitlam properties also fared well. It saw the TriCities’ toppriced townhome sale, at bang on $1 million, one per cent under list.

The top-selling resale apartment was in the Grand Central 3 tower, where a two-bedroom unit sold for $1,225,000. Mind you, it took 197 days to sell and the accepted price was 22 per cent less than the asking price.

Port Coquitlam is the area’s poor cousin, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t great properties to find. The city’s top-selling condo was a three-

bed townhome in the Citadel neighbourhood. Its sellers only had to wait one day for an offer they couldn’t refuse: $867,000— one per cent below asking.

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