VANCOUVER I Espana third robust endorsement this year of reclamation by residency of neighbourhood
Sun
Standard in the Espana master bathrooms will be a free-standing tub and, accordingly, a separate shower; a wall-mounted vanity; porcelain-tile flooring; and polished chrome plumbing fixtures. Photograph by : Glenn Baglo, Vancouver Sun
NEVER OUT OF DATE: Timeless components, stylish any place, any where, include the hardwood floors and the “le Corbusier” sofa and arm chair. Photograph by : Glenn Baglo, Vancouver Sun
TOP OF THE LINE, OF COURSE: All homes will have European-style cabinets, granite countertops and stainless steel appliances, including in the kitchens built-in microwaves and wine coolers. Photograph by : Glenn Baglo, Vancouver Sun
TOP OF THE LINE, OF COURSE: A polished-chrome faucet and spray combination commands centre stage in the kitchen. Like hardwood floors, it is standard; there are no upgrades here. Photograph by : Glenn Baglo, Vancouver Sun
Standard in the Espana master bathrooms will be a free-standing tub and, accordingly, a separate shower; a wall-mounted vanity; porcelain-tile flooring; and polished chrome plumbing fixtures. Photograph by : Glenn Baglo, Vancouver Sun
Standard in the Espana master bathrooms will be a free-standing tub and, accordingly, a separate shower; a wall-mounted vanity; porcelain-tile flooring; and polished chrome plumbing fixtures. Photograph by : Glenn Baglo, Vancouver Sun
ESPANA IN VANCOUVER
Presentation centre: 505 Abbott St.
Hours: Noon – 7 p.m. daily
Telephone: 604-915-7198
Web: espanaliving.com
Project size: 2 highrises, one mid-rise, 437 apartments, 14 townhouses
Residence size: 1 – 3 bedrooms, 835 sq. ft – 1,454 sq. ft.
Prices: From $232,800
Developer: Henderson Development Ltd.
Architect: Barry Downs and IBI/HB Architects
Interior design: Cristine Oberti
Tentative occupancy: November, 2008
Two-thirds sold before the presentation centre “grand opening” last weekend and 90 per cent sold by the middle of this week, Espana is the third Downtown Eastside new-home project this year to generate robust buyer acceptance.
The first was the 33 project half a block away from the Pender and Abbott site of the Espana project, 63 homes mostly bought in one February weekend.
The second was the Woodward’s project two blocks north of Espana, all 536 homes bought two weekends ago.
Espana’s Graham Snowden thinks his project sold so quickly because of location and design.
“People are starting to recognize this area is in transition. It’s the go-to area. A few years ago it was Yaletown and now it’s here,” says Snowden.
“Here,” of course, is an easy walk away from the downtown towers that employ so many of us. A Skytrain station at Dunsmuir and Beatty is literally steps away, by way of the “Keefer Steps,” for those whose workday destinations might take them away from the downtown peninsula.
”Here” going to market will be a treat, and not a chore, with the Lower Mainland’s first supermarket, Chinatown, close at hand.
”Here” those stylish shops that transform our necessities into lifestyle declarations are everywhere, in Gastown to the north and along Pender from Granville, to the west, to Main, to the east.
The Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden is 11/2 blocks east of the Espana site. Arts and cultural activities abound to the west and south, anchored by the city-owned Queen Elizabeth Theatre, the Playhouse and the Orpheum.
Espana’s second attraction, in Snowden’s opinion, are the buildings, designed by architect Barry Downs, who came out of retirement to work on the project with IBI/HB Architects.
A Spanish-style courtyard with water features at the podium level has been a big selling point.
“You walk across a bridge and onto a landscaped patio. It gives a feeling like you’re on your own dock,” says Snowden, referring to the wet/dry water feature that will collect rain water during the rainy season and, when dry, show off golden colour pebbles.
The courtyard works with its natural setting to create a play of sun and shadow and will have lush garden plantings and private spaces to relax. The goal is to evoke a sense of being in a Spanish village plaza.
The homes facing this 25,000-square-foot courtyard are, not surprisingly, the most popular with buyers, Snowden reports.
Henderson Development has spent the past decade developing their properties around Abbott and Pender, which includes International Village, the Paris residential tower completed in 1995; the Europa, completed in 2000; and the Firenze tower, which will be ready for occupancy later this year.
Espana will also have a fully equipped exercise room, a 25-metre indoor swimming pool and a private theatre. There’s also a business centre/conference room for people who work from home and want to use a public space instead of their homes for meetings.
So far buyers have come from a wide spectrum, but are mostly affluent “who want to get a sense of urban living but in a village atmosphere,” Snowden says.
He adds they are also attracted to the high level of finishes and the sleek design by interior designer Christine Oberti.
Snowden says that unlike other condo projects there are no upgrades here. Everything is included, such as engineered wood flooring throughout (except the bathroom), the free-standing modern tub, granite countertops and stainless steel appliances.
The bathroom has a chrome polished faucet, a custom wall mounted cabinet with built-in vanity basin and porcelain tile flooring. The living space has an electric fireplace with mantle surround and a balcony and/or solarium.
© The Vancouver Sun 2006
