SPACES WE LOVE

Built above it all

Sky-high reno creates a sense of belonging

WORDS DAWN SONDERGAARD

Once the decision was made to move from a treasured craftsman family home of 20 years in Vancouver’s coveted Kitsilano neighbourhood, this family knew they wanted to stay close to the city’s centre, so there was only one place to move—up! Towering above the downtown core, the private residences of the Shangri-La offer sweeping views over English Bay, the Georgia Strait and the North Shore mountains—it’s one of the world’s most desirable playgrounds, and now this family’s new backyard! No expense has been spared for this whole-home renovation that prioritized high-quality craftsmanship and materials. Walls and finishes, including the custom-built furniture, are designed in hues of white, creating a sense of effortless perfection while directing one’s eye to the expansive views. Accents of grey, blue and gold play off nature’s sunlight, the sparkling waters and skyline beyond. The open-concept space effortlessly connects areas; in fact, each plank of wood flooring was handselected to ensure quality and uniformity throughout.

Working within condominium restraints required the layout to remain largely unchanged. However, HAVAN member Marino General Contracting put its design-build experience to the test, streamlining and improving mechanical systems where possible to enhance the living space.

A millwork wall in the kitchen conceals energy-efficient Miele, Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances and a walk-in pantry. A wall of doors extends off the kitchen, opening to reveal a secluded office space.

A custom-designed, 450-piece crystal chandelier, imported from Los Angeles, counterplays off the 18-foot Geoluxe kitchen island, while defining the kitchen area. The dining room features a local-artisan-created “butterfly wall” consisting of tiny steel butterfly sculptures.

The drop in the ceiling for the HVAC system was re- moved to add additional storage space, and the sprinkler sys- tem was rearranged to integrate with the lighting plan, using slots in the drywall designed for AC (rather than unsightly grilles). Enlarged hallways and magnetic strike plates on all the custom-built doors create the illusion of more space and contribute to the clean aesthetic.

This newly renovated condominium boasts all the features and craftsmanship of a custom-built home, and a renewed sense of belonging can be felt upon arrival.

To view this project, and other award-winning custombuilt and renovated homes, visit havan.ca/awards.

The HAVAN Awards for Housing Excellence is a premier local industry program that recognizes the best homebuild- ing industry professionals in the region; a name one can trust. The Homebuilders Association Vancouver (HAVAN) represents over 1,100 members who build 65 per cent of Metro Vancouver’s homes, and is proudly affiliated with CHBA BC and CHBA.