Sun
The Timberline Hotel in Whistler received its first John Evans transformation more than a decade ago. Now, it’s undergoing another by the veteran real estate developer and owner and manager of Vancouver‘s Opus Hotel.
Evans announced this week his Trilogy Properties Corp. will spend $2 million on a renovation of the 41-room condominium hotel. It will also manage the property on reopening, scheduled for American Thanksgiving in November.
His goal and the owners’ goal, the announcement says, is a “boutique” property that can compete with the bigger hotels in Whistler by offering the services that international visitors expect, such as a fully staffed front desk and 24-hour room service.
“What we want to provide our guests is a contemporary-resort experience with all the warmth and glamour you would expect of a luxury Alpine resort, plus some unexpected yet luxurious touches that will be unique to Whistler,” his news release says.
HOT NEWS, 1
Last week on these pages columnist Bob Ransford reported that when he hears from people these days who need help with employment, they’re inevitably people looking to hire, not people looking to be hired.
This week, in a note to Greater Vancouver Home Builders’ Association members, Peter Simpson provided another illumination of the labour shortages real estate and construction employers are enduring.
“Surrey, like all high-growth municipalities, is struggling with the unprecedented volume of construction.
“The building department is currently processing residential permit applications in six weeks, much longer than usual. Staffing is a challenge. John McKenzie, Surrey‘s manager of the residential section, says he is looking for staff to assist with the processing of permit applications. To help the city in its efforts to better serve the homebuilding industry, we are spreading the word.
“If you know any job-seekers who have a BCIT diploma, or clerical-type construction experience, ask them to call John at 604-591-4184.”
HOT NEWS, 2
Can’t get enough summer reading? The folks at CMHC Housing Research have a suggestion. The government agency’s latest “Brownfield Redevelopment” case study is a local project, London Landing, in Richmond.
“Located on a former mixed industrial site, site remediation involved digging up and aerating contaminated soils and re-using the soils as on-site fill. Design features incorporated in the homes and on the property have created a heritage-sensitive residential community,” the announcement says.
Visit www.cmhc.ca
© The Vancouver Sun 2005
