Jeani Read
Province
A flick of a switch raises the garage door-like windows to bring the outside in at Metroliving’s new development. WAYNE LEIDENFROST — THE PROVINCE
CREDIT: Wayne Leidenfrost, The Province Metroliving has a sexy city feel to it with stainless subway tiles in the kitchen (above left), a spot for the cappuccino machine (right) and a brick wall that lends a trendy touch to the living room (below).
CREDIT: Wayne Leidenfrost, The Province Metroliving has a sexy city feel to it with stainless subway tiles in the kitchen (above left), a spot for the cappuccino machine (right) and a brick wall that lends a trendy touch to the living room (below).
CREDIT: Wayne Leidenfrost, The Province Metroliving has a sexy city feel to it with stainless subway tiles in the kitchen (above left), a spot for the cappuccino machine (right) and a brick wall that lends a trendy touch to the living room (below).
And now for something completely different.
They’re calling it Six in the City, after Sex and the City, and sexy is definitely a very good word to describe this whole venture.
So is sweet. So is dreamy. Suffice to say the buzz on the street about the new Metroliving development(s) is very hot so far, with lots of sales right off the bat to a diverse group from the edgy-art-crowd buyers to internationally based marketing execs.
What’s so different and seductive? Townline, usually a suburban developer, is making a big splash downtown doing the opposite of what most downtown developers do. It’s creating six small-scale complexes with separate esthetics, from funky-cool to haute-exclusive. These are about as far from the typical urban-tower concept as can be. Comparative low-rises (tallest is eight storeys), they are planned to be intimate and boutique-y. They range from totally refitted Vancouver classic heritage buildings to brand-new structures that take up small infill lots in the city.
This lends a special cachet to the addresses. The idea is to create spaces that counter the anonymous, impersonal high-rise mentality with designs that encourage interaction and a sense of community. It’s a sophisticated lifestyle for sophisticated city dwellers.
And the toys — oh, my. Six in the City has the hottest stuff. Just imagine sitting in your living room, pressing a button and having your whole window wall lift off the floor and into the ceiling like an automatic garage door, opening the room directly onto your terrace, deck or patio. Not all suites will have this cooler-than-cool item, but the specially designed and developed Metroliving Zap 800 Garage Door will be available in select homes in each building. And the parking concept is just inspired — kind of New York- inspired, actually. Some complexes will have car elevators to lift you and your vehicle to your secure parking spot, as these great little buildings are standing in some tight spots.
The great finishings are all on display in the presentation centre. Premier among them, if you had to pick, would probably be the McMaster Building, the white-bricked warehouse/office building at 1180 Homer, built in 1910. In its reincarnated form it will feature the (gorgeous) reclaimed and refinished hardwood fir planking throughout, original brick walls, and high ceilings and beams. In the kitchens, Meile and SubZero appliances, mahogany cabinetry, granite counters and backsplashes are to die for and, in the bathroom, marble counters with sharp-looking square undermount sinks, undermount cast-iron soaker tubs with marble surrounds and frameless glass showers. It goes on, and rumours swirl about who may have bought that $2 million-plus penthouse with the private roof deck — was it Diana Krall or was that just gossip?
Meantime, if this style is not exactly yours, you could pick from a lot of others. That cool kitchen with the stainless-steel backsplash in what looks like mini-subway tiles, double stainless sink and the spectacular high arc of the Blanco commercial faucet of 1168 Richards. Or the pick-your-colour glass backsplash, Bosch appliances and clean white quartz counters of 531 Beatty.
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Three addresses have been released, the rest likely by September, with all kinds of events planned to lure already-eager buyers. They’re doing a brisk business here with people who love being in the heart of the city but won’t settle for less than the best when it comes to their homes.
Is that you?
Quick Facts
WHAT: Metroliving is 197 homes in six buildings in downtown Vancouver.
WHERE: 1241 Homer, 1168 Richards, 999 Seymour, 540 Beatty, 531 Beatty, 1180 Homer.
DEVELOPED BY: Townline Homes.
SIZES: One-bedroom suites to three-bedroom-plus-solarium penthouses, 540 sq. ft. — 2,827 sq. ft.
PRICES: $272,900 – $2.3 million
OPEN: Suite 100 – 1050 Homer St., daily except Fridays, 604 682-1050.
© The Vancouver Province 2005
