June « 2006 « Les Twarog Vancouver Real Estate and Condo Blog

Archive for June, 2006

Booming economy keeps office vacancy rates tight in West

Tuesday, June 20th, 2006

Sun

TORONTO — The national vacancy rate for office space has risen modestly to 8.4 per cent in the second quarter of this year, but that’s not the case in Vancouver and certainly not in Calgary, according to a report by CB Richard Ellis.

The commercial property firm said yesterday that tenant demand flattened in some smaller markets — but Calgary likely has the world’s tightest market for high-end downtown office space.

The overall rate was up from 8.1 per cent in the first quarter, ending nine straight quarters of tighter supply, the company said.

CB Richard Ellis said demand substantially exceeds supply in Calgary, which has an overall office-vacancy rate of 1.5 per cent and a mere 0.2 per cent for class A downtown space, “even lower than Tokyo, which traditionally has the lowest vacancy rate of any major city.”

Vancouver’s vacancy rate continues to drop, standing at 8.5 per cent overall and 6.5 per cent downtown.

Nationally, “we see the fractional rise in vacancy rates more as a period of adjustment than anything else and are not concerned about it at all,” stated Blake Hutcheson, president of CB Richard Ellis.

“We do not view this as the beginning of any long downward trend where demand decreases substantially,” he said.

He added that a factor suppressing demand in some places is that many tenants have already made commitments for office space over the past two years, taking advantage of relatively low rents.

Of the 10 cities surveyed, vacancy rates declined during the second quarter in seven: Vancouver (8.5 per cent), Calgary (1.5), Edmonton (7.3), Ottawa (6.7), Toronto (9.1), Montreal (12.3) and Halifax (8.8).

They rose in London, Ont. (16.5 per cent) and the Waterloo, Ont. region (9.0), while Winnipeg’s rate was unchanged (7.2). —

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Vancouver ‘setting a standard’

Tuesday, June 20th, 2006

Mayor wants higher density, less environmental impact

John Bermingham
Province

About 8,500 delegates are gathering this week at the Vancouver Trade and Convention Centre for the World Urban Forum. Photograph by : Jason Payne, The Province

It’s not difficult to sell Vancouver to 8,500 World Urban Forum delegates when they’re bathing in sunshine at Canada Place, with glorious views of Stanley Park and the North Shore mountains.

In an interview with The Province yesterday, Mayor Sam Sullivan said Vancouver must be an example for cities less fortunate.

“I believe that we need to be very conscious in Vancouver that what we do is setting a standard for other people,” said Sullivan.

“They’re looking to us for leadership. It’s really important for us to show them a different model.”

On Friday, Sullivan announced his “EcoDensity Vancouver” plan to increase the city’s housing density while reducing its impact on the environment.

Sullivan said if the world used up the Earth’s resources at the rate Vancouverites do, we’d need four planets.

“The way we build our cities, and function, has a dramatic impact on the environment and the quality of life that all of the human beings in the world experience,” said Sullivan.

“We need to make a commitment to high-quality densification. We’ve got to make a commitment to put the brakes on sprawl.”

Sullivan knows Vancouver is the envy of the world.

It’s rich in natural resources, has never known war, and its citizens are well educated.

“If we in Vancouver can’t live sustainably, then nobody can. We are so blessed. We don’t have a fraction of the problems that these other cities have.”

But Vancouver also has growing wealth disparity and a serious drug-addiction problem.

“We’ve got to deal with the social dysfunctions, much of which stems from drug addiction,” he said.

Sullivan said 70 per cent of the city’s crime is drug-related, and he believes there is a solution.

“We know what to do. We just need the political will to do it,” he said. “As long as we’re unwilling to accept good research and

science, we will continue to experience the crime and safety problems.”

Sullivan said he’s worried by the growing gap between the rich and poor in the city.

“The one way we can address that is by getting the house prices down, making the homes more affordable,” he said.

“If we create more supply, prices will come down.”

Sullivan introduced a new phrase, eco-structure, to the forum.

He wants federal dollars to maintain cities that don’t sprawl, rather than sprawling cities being rewarded with infrastructure funding, as is the case now.

“We’re going a different path here,” said Sullivan. “I just want to make sure we’ll benefit as well from the infrastructure dollars.

“I want to make sure that cities that commit to eco-density will be able to receive the funding they don’t get for keeping the sprawl going.”

The mayor wants federal funding for projects such as recreation, arts and culture facilities, and investing in the public spaces.

He said he wants to talk with European cities such as Stockholm, which has kept a high quality of life while increasing density.

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Sullivan unveils higher-density housing initiative

Sunday, June 18th, 2006

Building up to bring home prices down

John Bermingham
Province

Mayor Sam Sullivan would like to build more apartment buildings.

If he gets his way, the faraway dream of owning an affordable home in Vancouver will inch a little closer, says the mayor presiding over the priciest real estate in the country.

Mayor Sam Sullivan wants Vancouver to build upward, with a flock of apartment buildings all over the city that he promises will once again make a home affordable.

The only catch is that the homes will be smaller, closer together and probably won’t come with a parking space.

Sullivan unveiled his EcoDensity Vancouver initiative Friday, an ambitious vision to increase housing density while protecting the environment.

“We need to start talking about higher densities,” said Sullivan. “And I’m very open [about] how those densities take place.”

The average home on the city’s west side is currently priced at more than $1 million. In East Vancouver it’s $500,000.

“If you can create more supply, the price will go down,” said Sullivan.

Sullivan wants multi-family complexes built in retail areas, or along arterial routes, or along the Canada Line and SkyTrain network.

“By allowing more density in certain areas, we will actually take the pressure off some of our single-family neighbourhoods,” he said.

Coun. Suzanne Anton predicted neighbourhoods won’t respond with negative nimbyism, but with genuine interest.

“I don’t think we’re going to have big apartment blocks in the middle of a single-family neighbourhood,” she said. “[But] I think citizens in many, many neighbourhoods in Vancouver are ready for this.”

Larry Beasley, the city planner credited with bringing high-rise living downtown, said the plan would mean young families will get another crack at a home in Vancouver.

“Most young people are having to go to the far suburbs to find a place to live that’s affordable,” he said.

“By doing this kind of initiative, you’re able to provide many more opportunities, and by virtue of a lot more housing, you’re able to bring prices into line.”

Under the plan, every neighbourhood would have a variety of price ranges and types of homes, giving middle-income families a chance to live where they want.

“If there’s lots of choices, a lot of people will be inclined to live closer to their work,” he said.

Despite its high density, Beasley said crime has declined downtown and people are fitter and happier living closer to amenities and closer to neighbours.

Sullivan and a panel of experts agreed Friday that the closer people live together, the smaller their “ecological footprint.”

Michael Geller, who’s building a campus community at Simon Fraser University, said a change of thinking could also influence Lower Mainland suburban communities to change.

“Maybe what it means is that in some of those single-family neighbourhoods, we might build some corner stores, like we used to do,” said Geller. “And maybe it means that people can actually have an apartment within the same subdivision, which at the moment is just single-family houses.”

Over the next year, the City of Vancouver will consult with the public with the aim of a workable plan in a year’s time.

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Tech Toys: New iPod gadgets, a virus-dodging notebook, and a ‘Lightsnake’ that plugs your guitar straight into your PC

Saturday, June 17th, 2006

Sun

Kensington Pico FM Transmitter for iPod, $70.

Okay, we know there are now about half a zillion iPod gizmos, but here’s one you might like to consider for that new Nano you just got for graduation. This one is thin (and we all know you can’t be too thin) and will allow you to transmit quickly to your car radio by using the iPod screen for a quick hit of station info. All you have to do is select a clear FM space on your dial and then select that on your iPod and, bam, you’ve got music. Or you can do the same thing in your home by connecting to your stereo tuner. Stations have also been pre-set.

Lenovo 3000 V100 12-inch widescreen notebook, starts at $1,200.

Are you what Lenovo defines as an “on-the-go small business customer seeking powerful performance?” Well, hey, then this could be for you, with its one-button recovery system that allows you to instantly escape those nasty viruses. It also offers automatic updates of Lenovo software. The V100 — which offers Intel Core Duo processors — has an integrated optical

drive. The screen allows for as much as four additional spreadsheet columns to what you get from a standard 12-inch display.

Soundtech Professional Audio Lightsnake USB Intelligent Instrument Cable, $70 US.

Let’s say you play guitar and you have a real need to record your talents straight to your PC with the minimum fuss. Well, here’s the Lightsnake which won “best in show” at the recent National Association of Music Merchants show in the U.S. It allows you to connect your guitar directly to your PC and make use of such software as Apple’s GarageBand and Sony’s Acid Music Studio. And no need for drivers with newer computers.

Tekkeon myPower 1140B for iPod rechargeable battery and portable dock (in black), $70 US.

And you thought you’d get away with just one iPod device this time around, but here’s another. It’s actually the old Tekkeon MP1140 white model in black, so that it goes neatly with the iPod photo. As well as the boost in battery power, the myPower includes high speed FireWire and USB 2.0 ports to sync with the iPod, plus a line-out port connection to a stereo and external speakers. Oh, and there’s a five-volt charging output so you can keep your mobile phone working as well.

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Electronics – from Plasma’s, digital cameras & PDA’s (Pocket PC’s) – how long will the price plunge go on?

Saturday, June 17th, 2006

How long can the price plunge go on?

Peter Wilson
Sun

Way back in the misty depths of time — in 2004 to be exact — if you wanted to leap into the world of big-screen televisions, you would have needed plenty of extra jingle in your jeans.

At that time, a Panasonic 42-inch plasma flat-screen would have set you back a breathtaking $7,000 (well, $6,999, if that would have made you feel any better about it). Today, thanks to technology improvements and a strong Canadian dollar, a similar Panasonic model, with a far better picture, is a mere $3,500.

And, London Drugs president Wynne Powell said in an interview, if you wait until Christmas it might just be down to $3,000, especially if our dollar stays where it is.

The same price plunge has been happening with LCD TVs.

Powell also pointed out that when digital cameras first made their way into general consciousness, in 2001, you could have bought a 2.1-megapixel Digital Elph with a two-inch LCD screen for $800.

Now Canon’s Elph, at six-megapixels and with a three-inch screen and plenty of other extra features, is $500.

Even more startling, a four-megapixel Olympus in 2001 was $1,300. Currently, at six-megapixels, the equivalent is $300. Now, if you were to pay anywhere near $1,300, it would be for an Olympus digital SLR with two extra lenses.

Why?

Two reasons, said Powell. The first is that as technology improves, prices go down, generally, and the features go up.

“Number two, we’re benefiting from the increased value of the Canadian dollar,” said Powell. “So these factors are going hand-in-hand.”

And the evidence of this is across the board. All-in-one printers — with the capability of scanning, copying and faxing — were in the $200 to $300 range in 2002. Now you can get solid performers for under $100.

And Apple’s five-gigabyte iPod sold for $479 in 2002, with the 10-gigabyte model at $629 and the 20-gigabyte at $799. Head to the store today and you can pick up a 30-gigabyte iPod, with video capability, for $350, and the 60-gigabyte model at $460, while the four-gigabyte nano is $300.

In the PDA space, a Palm Tungsten was $800 in 2002, and now sells for about $400.

In the computer field, according to Statistics Canada, the average prices paid in 2006 by consumers for laptops are now nearly a quarter of what they were in 2001. Basic models these days are in the $800 range.

On the surface of it, the main lesson of these dropping prices seems to be: Leap in early and just a couple of years later you have a doorstop or a paperweight. But Powell disagrees. He believes that there’s a tipping point where the improvements in technology have reduced the price to a point where any further drops are going to be much smaller.

And this, he says, is where the market is with high-definition TV sets. A $500 drop in the next six months may look big, but not compared with the $3,000 plunge in the last two years.

“Yes, you’ll see the prices fall in the future, but it’s not going to be the same kind of erosion because there’s not that much left to erode.”

So this could just be the year that expectation meets pricing for television, he believes.

“There’s another thing that’s happening as well: High-definition satellite and cable availability have dramatically fuelled the customers’ desire for these products,” said Powell.

And, he added, new high-definition DVD players — in two formats, HD-TV and Blu-ray — are arriving. That means that the viewing experience of those who buy and rent movies will be even better than before, although they may pay anything from $700 or more for them (and these prices are also sure to drop).

“When these come out, we think that’s even going to fuel up more,” said Powell, who points to industry projections of an 18-per-cent increase in sales this year and 22 per cent in 2007.

Even with competing formats available, he still sees this as the time when people decide to grab a new television set.

“It’s a constantly dynamic market, so what I advise people when they’re thinking about it is that if they’re comfortable with the price point today and if they like the product they see, they should buy it and enjoy it.

“Something better will always come along, but you’ll never have it, because you’ll always be waiting.”

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Hi End Plasma TV’s & remote controls – new cool stuff is now available

Friday, June 16th, 2006

Cool stuff is now available at the right price to put you in home-theatre heaven

Grant Mckenzie
Sun

The 42-inch widescreen plasma from Panasonic has just broken the $3,500 price barrier.

The Logitech Harmony 880 universal remote can do the work of six remotes

while the OPPO DVD player is not only affordable but also very cool

When it comes to electronics, there is a certain sweet spot where price meets lust that propels the consumer to eagerly climb aboard.

DVD players didn’t begin selling by the tens of thousands until they broke the $200 barrier; new DVD movies began to fly off the shelves when they snuck under the $25 mark; and Apple’s 99-cents-a-song deal turned millions of illegal MP3 downloaders into a formidable legion of paying music lovers.

The sweet spot, I believe, has now been reached for the drool-inducing, high-definition, widescreen plasma television.

Every man wants one, but until now the beckoning bank of glistening, colourful, so-detailed-you-can-see-just-how-desperate-those-housewives-really-a re widescreen displays at the electronics store have made the women in their lives use the chequing account balance as ammunition against purchase.

Well, weep no more my salivating brothers, for the new 42-inch widescreen plasma from Panasonic (TH-42PX60) just broke the $3,500 barrier.

The reason this news makes your legs feel a bit rubbery is that Panasonic’s display is so crisp and vibrant it makes watching television exciting again. Hook this display up to a digital cable or satellite box, tune in to one of the high-definition channels for the first time (most of the mainstream channels such as CBC, ABC, FOX, NBC, CBS, PBS, etc., broadcast in high-definition) and you’re likely to weep like a little girl.

Sports have never had so much punch, travel shows on PBS will give you wanderlust, and the creepy-crawly things on those half-dozen C.S.I. shows will give you nightmares.

When you walk into an electronic store and look at the bank of televisions, you’ll instantly know which one is the Panasonic by the quality of the picture. Using ninth generation glass and a high-definition resolution of 1,024 x 768, this puppy boasts 10,000-1 contrast, 1080p digital processing, 29 billion displayable colours, two HDMI inputs, digital audio out, simulated surround sound speakers, and more geekiness than you can stand all wrapped up inside a sleek 102 x 70.5 cm (40 by 28-inch) cabinet that’s only 9.5 cm (3.7″) thick. It can either be mounted on the wall or placed on a TV stand.

Out of the box, this display is ready to go and can be set up in under five minutes. However, a display this cool deserves a few little extras to make your home-theatre experience all it can be while making your friends and neighbours really jealous.

I’m a big believer in getting the best value for my money without sacrificing quality (which is why I recommend the Panasonic over the equally impressive, but much more expensive Pioneer model).

In keeping with this credo, I turned to Logitech for a 5.1 surround-sound system that will rock your socks off. Logitech’s Z-5500 system has an awesome 10″ subwoofer and five stylish satellite speakers that will make you think the Martians truly have landed if you drop in War of the Worlds. This system also delivers superb quality in the stunning quiet moments at the beginning of Master and Commander where the wind blows and the brass ship bell peals.

Some people pay thousands for a quality sound system, but for 99 per cent of people, it really is a waste. You’ll love the sound the Z-5500 pumps out, and you can find it for a street price of under $300.

Another Logitech product that I find comes in very handy for those late-night viewing sessions when everyone else is asleep, is their Wireless Bluetooth Headphones ($179.95). The Bluetooth wireless transmitter simply pops into the headphone jack on your TV or sound system and sends the sound to your headset without the need for wires. If a movie gets too scary, for example, you can hide behind the couch without missing a single, ear-shattering shriek or strangling yourself on cord. The headphones sound great and also work with your MP3 player, stereo or computer.

Naturally, you’re going to want a good DVD player. The buzz at the moment is all about high-definition and the battle between Blueray and HD-DVD. My advice, forget about it until the dust settles, the bugs are worked out, and the prices hit the sweet spot. At the moment, the geek factor is too high and the value is too low.

In the meantime, you can get almost the same high-definition quality with your existing DVD library if you play them in the affordable and very cool new upconverting DVD player from OPPO.

The DV970HD ($149 US at www.oppodigital.com) uses some impressive technology to scale your current 480i (lines of resolution; the more lines, the better the quality) DVDs up to the high-definition standard of 720p or 1080i. This translates into a more-detailed image that takes full advantage of your new TV.

But even more impressive is that the OPPO player can read just about any disc you throw at it. If you have movies or downloaded television shows (something a lot of networks are now making available on their websites) saved in the popular DIVX format, you can simply burn them to DVD without conversion and the OPPO will play them. In fact, you don’t even have to burn them to DVD as the 970HD has a USB port to plug in a portable hard drive or USB flash key and read your movie from there.

The variety of formats this player supports (DVD-Audio, Xvid, Super Audio CD, etc.) will make you giggle with geeky glee. It even has a 4-in-1 memory card reader for showing off your digital photos. And for those who like to collect movies from other regions (such as British mysteries), the 970HD can be easily made multi-regional with the push of a few buttons.

When you add in that OPPO supplies a high-quality HDMI cable with its player, you quickly realize that this is probably the best deal on the market.

Finally, to make everything work together as smoothly as possible, I can’t recommend the Harmony 880 universal remote high enough. Available from Logitech for just under the $300 mark, this is by far the easiest universal remote I have ever used.

By plugging it into your computer, the remote connects with Logitech’s web site and walks you through the simple procedure (i.e. you don’t have to know any manufacturer’s product codes) to program the commands for all your devices. This procedure also determines how you use your devices, such as if you use your surround-sound system with the DVD player, but not with the TV, etc.) Once that is done, a colour LCD screen on the remote allows you to watch TV or switch to DVD with the click of one button, and control every device with just the one remote.

replaced six remotes with the Harmony 880 and not only am I in geek heaven, but even my wife seemed impressed by the new lack of electronic clutter.

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New restaurant “ZATA” rating system for Vancouver Restaurants

Thursday, June 15th, 2006

PETER WILSON
Sun

MARK VAN MANEN/VANCOUVER SUN Nu Restaurant manager Leonard Nakonechny says he can now spot trends early and adapt by comparing sales data marketing and input costs.

More than 500 retailers and restaurateurs across British Columbia will soon be asking themselves a simple question each week:
   What’s my Zata?
   Their Zata score — of one to 10, with the average being five — will show small- to medium-sized businesses in retail and hospitality just how they’re doing against their direct competitors.
   Using an online data network, furniture stores will be able to see where they rate in sales against other furniture stores in the same geographic area. And the same will be true of casual-dining restaurants.
   These Zata scores will give smaller businesses a sales intelligence and benchmarking tool previously only available to the likes of big box retailers.
   The BC Restaurant and Food Services Association, which already has 55 members up and running with the system, and Retail BC, which will launch Zata this summer, developed the service in partnership, using technology developed by Vancouver’s Vivonet Inc.
   “We constantly get phone calls from our members saying, ‘I know how I’m doing, but how is everybody else doing out there?’ ” said Sonja Kennedy, Retail BC’s marketing manager. “Now they’ll have an actual tool to show them how they’re performing against their neighbour.”
   Kennedy said they’re hoping that at least 500 of their members will start using Zata within a year.
   The data gathered is kept securely, and no business can see the actual details of another business’s sales or growth.
   Restaurant association president Ian Tostenson said that the 55 restaurants testing the system are thrilled with the information they’re getting.
   “I came from the wine industry, where they have incredible market statistics that drive the business,” said Tostenson. “The restaurant industry really didn’t have that available, and what was available was historic in nature, and not very timely.”
   Tostenson said that his organization, which offers the service free to its members, is encouraging restaurateurs to enter their data weekly.
   “I believe that Zata is the first step to get restaurants to the next stage in preparing us for 2010,” said Tostenson, who added that he has hundreds of members waiting to try Zata.
   Leonard Nakonechny, general manager of both Nu Restaurant and C restaurant in Vancouver, said that he can now spot trends early and adapt his business by comparing sales data, marketing and input costs against his local competition.
   The development of Zata happened as what Vivonet’s Brad Brooks, director of Zata, terms “a little bit of groupthink.”
   He was meeting with the restaurant and food association about another matter, and the group told him what they needed was more intelligence about what was happening in the marketplace.
   “We went forward and developed a project for them,” said Brooks. “At the same time, we had a discussion with Retail BC.”
   Brooks said that members simply have to enter their sales and transaction numbers each week, and Zata looks after the rest.
   “There’s about 114 calculations that take place in order to give a restaurant or a retailer a look at how they’re doing in terms of the rest of the marketplace.”
How Zata works
   Each week, retailers and restaurants enter their sales and transaction information into a secure website.
   The Zata — a number from one to 10, with five being average — is calculated, comparing retailers in specific fields and geographic areas with one another.
   An overall Zata score of three indicates the business is performing in the bottom 30 per cent. A Zata of eight indicates that the business is in the top 20 per cent.
   Zatas are also provided to the retailer or restaurateur for changes in sales growth, sales per square foot and sales per transaction (such as average customer bill in a restaurant).
   Other information that can make up a Zata includes cost of goods sold as a percentage of sales, and cost of labour as a percentage of sales.
   Tracked, too, are weekly rankings, average Zata, and variance between the current and average Zata.
   All this information is kept strictly confidential and away from the eyes of competitors.

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Larry Beasley – City of Vancouver Planner leaves, confident Vancouver will continue as a livable city

Thursday, June 15th, 2006

City planner leaves, confident Vancouver will continue as a livable city

Ward
Sun

Larry Beasley says ‘quality of life’ is key for urban planning. Photograph by : Ian Lindsay, Vancouver Sun

IAN LINDSAY/VANCOUVER SUN Larry Beasley says ‘quality of life’ is key for urban planning.

The planner considered most responsible for the transformation of Vancouver’s inner city says well-designed urban landscaping was crucial to convincing suburbanites to move downtown.

“Everything in the culture told them that the inner city was unsafe, dangerous, dirty. You know, Da Vinci’s Inquest,” Larry Beasley told a gathering of Canadian landscape architects on Wednesday.

Beasley said the population of downtown Vancouver doubled to about 85,000 people in little over a decade because the city adopted the theme of “quality of life” as the driving force of its planning process.

Vancouver’s planning director said livability is increasingly crucial to cities – and is no longer just an esthetic issue – because people and capital have become increasing fluid.

“The world has become footloose, with people and capital moving at will: Business can be done anywhere, other aspects of life are more important than one’s livelihood, and where people choose to settle is not tied down the way it [once was].”

Beasley said the traditional urban economy of manufacturing, government or business administration is being replaced or reinforced by the “service city.”

These cities are becoming powerful metropoles drawing on “people with wealth, talent and energy” and surrounding them with clusters of support people.

One theory, said Beasley, is that cities will “either become one of these metropoles, enjoying all the fruits and advantages of the modern world and connected in an international network with other such ‘alpha’ places, or will be relegated to ‘drone’ status that services others but limits what can be provided for your citizens.”

Beasley said this future scenario is a gross generalization, but shows how cities can no longer be “exploited as a commodity or happening by accident.”

They must be shaped by good design, said Beasley, noting that famous Brazilian urbanist Jaime Lerner has said, “a city without a design doesn’t know where it’s going; doesn’t know how to grow.”

Beasley told the landscape architects their profession must play a more influential role in the development process because it brings a holistic design approach that can “sustainably reconcile settlement and nature.”

He said the Vancouver experience shows architectural and landscape solutions allow density to work and that high density generates enough value to prompt developers to spend on quality construction and amenities.

“And the supportive neighbourhood draws all kinds of people back from the suburbs, offering the competitive advantage of a truly urban lifestyle.”

Beasley, who leaves his job at the end of August, said the Vancouver approach to urban design will continue after his departure.

“I go out of my job at city hall with the utmost confidence that the trajectory of Vancouver is not going to change.

“But with the utmost anxiety that we not stop where we are but that we continue to move forward.”

SUSTAINABLE CITIES VITAL

“You know this struggle for a fulfilling, sustainable city must be one of the most urgent causes of contemporary western culture. It’s urgent in reaching the hearts of our citizens, who are becoming more and more discerning and more and more critical and who have higher and higher expectations; and it’s urgent in securing the future of our species, since cities right now are despoiling our world even though, next year, we will cross the line where over 50 per cent of humanity lives in urban settlements.

“Quality of life is no longer an esthetic matter, a luxury.”

– Larry Beasley, Vancouver planning director

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Restaurants Patio and Water Dining

Thursday, June 15th, 2006

Water Views: Is it any wonder we have our reputation as Lotuslanders? The Sun’s Mia Stainsby takes a look at our collection of lazy-making patios and our bonanza of waterside ones.

Mia Stainsby
Sun

Lift Bar and Grill

333 Menchions Mews, 604-689-5438

Day or night, a million-dollar view from the two patios hovering over Coal Harbour.

Go Fish

1505 West First Ave., 604-730-5040

There’s no inside here — just an outside catering truck with some seating just above Fisherman’s Wharf across from Granville Island.

Bridges

1696 Duranleau St., 604-687-4400

Patio off the upstairs fine dining area and a sprawling wooden deck overlooking False Creek off the bistro downstairs.

Seawall Bar and Grill

Westin Bayshore Hotel

1601 Bayshore Drive, 604-682-3377

A beer, a light nosh, a great view of Coal Harbour seawall action.

1661 Granville St., 604-646-4668

Lures a hip, tony crowd. Covered patio for sunset watching.

The Galley Patio & Grill

1300 Discovery St., 604-222-1331

A sand-ridden flip-flop kind of spot, commanding a panoramic sweep of water, downtown, mountains. As casual as you can get.

The Mill Marine Bistro,

Bar & Dock

1199 West Cordova St., 604-687-6455

In a nutshell — ahhhh! Patio segues to lawns, sea wall, Coal Harbour, mountain view.

Monk McQueens

601 Stamp’s Landing, 604-877-1351

Getting a somewhat tired, but the patio boasts a great view over False Creek.

Cannery Seafood Restaurant

2205 Commissioner St., 604-254-9606

In the midst of a working harbour, a unique West Coast spot for high-end dining.

Backstage Lounge

Granville Island Stage

1585 Johnston St. 604-687-1354

A small, quiet spot on Granville Island. Nightly music.

Sandbar

1535 Johnston St., 604-669-9030

Tucked under the Granville St. Bridge, overlooking False Creek.

Raincity Grill

1193 Denman St., 604-685-7337

Catch the buzz off English Bay and grab an eyeful of sunset.

Watermark on Kits Beach

1305 Arbutus St., 604-738-5487

Spectacular view over Kits Beach, especially in daylight. Even better — no smoking!

Pacific Crab Co.

1184 Denman St., 604-633-CRAB

Second storey, narrow patio overlooking Denman St. and out to English Bay.

Provence Marinaside

1177 Marinaside Cresc., 604-681-4144

Mediterranean cuisine along a piece of earth not unlike the Riviera.

Ocean 6 Seventeen

617 Stamp’s Landing, 604-879-6178

Best-ever sunsets from this intimate patio across from a marina. Good food, too.

Spotted Prawn

1055 West Hastings St., 604-646-0667

Tucked on the backside of a downtown office tower, panorama of mountains, water and North Shore.

The Quay

1137 Marinaside Cresc., 604-683-5335

Off False Creek. Lively groups in party mode.

Fiddlehead Joe’s

1012 Beach Ave., 604-688-1969

Ideal for lazy Sunday brunches as rollerblading, cycling, walking world pass by your seawall table.

Cardero’s Restaurant

and Marine Pub

1583 Coal Harbour Quay, 604-669-7666

Its stick legs wade into Coal Harbour and you’re suspended above water. Casual, easygoing spot.

Milestones

1210 Denman St., 604-662-3431

Go early to score these front-row seats to English Bay.

Free House

1780 Davie St., 604-801-6681

A compact spot with the same great views as Milestones, next door.

Tantra Lounge and Grill

123 Carrie Cate,

North Vancouver, 604-904-3045

The second-floor patio of the Lonsdale Quay Hotel looks across the inlet to downtown Vancouver.

The Boat House

1795 Beach Ave., 604-669-2225

900 Quayside Dr., New Westminster, 604-525-3474

8331 River Rd., Richmond, 604-273-7014

6695 Nelson Ave., West Vancouver,

604-921-8188

14935 Marine Dr., White Rock,

604-536-7320

It’s not called The Boat House for nothing. They all have skookum water views.

Vera’s Burger Shack

Dundarave Beach, West Vancouver

604-221-8372

There’ a small patio at this beach concession stand but why bother when the beach is but a few steps away.

Flying Beaver

4760 Inglis Dr.

Richmond, 604-273-0278

Flying Beaver seaplanes land on the Fraser right by the patio. Extremely cool.

Beach House at Dundarave Pier

150 — 25th St.

West Vancouver, 604-922-1414

Great Gatsby scenics with cruise ship sailpasts in summer months. Adjacent to seawall, beach and park.

Beachside Cafe

1362 Marine Dr.

West Vancouver, 604-925-1945

A small but refreshing patio with glimpses of Ambleside Beach and beyond.

Tramonto

River Rock Casino

8811 River Rd.

Richmond, 604-247-8900

Right under a flight path to YVR. See the planes, boats and cars, zooming about from this spot on an arm of the Fraser River.

Pajo’s

2800 Murray St.

Port Moody, 604-469-2289

Third and Bayview St. wharf

Steveston, 604-272-1588

Fish and chip stands with tables by the water.

Arms Reach

4390 Gallant Ave.,

North Vancouver, 604-929-7442

Choice spot, under bright yellow umbrellas, view of Deep Cove.

Cascades Lounge

Pan Pacific Hotel

999 Canada Place, 604-895-2480

Food, drink and spoiled-rich feel. Stanley Park, mountains over yonder.

Gramercy Grill

2685 Arbutus St., 604-730-5666

A petite gardeny patio in a neighbourhood that’s short on al fresco spots.

Ocean Club Restaurant

and Lounge

106-100 Park Royal South

West Vancouver, 604-926-2326

Cool sophistication for West Van suburbanites.

Pelagos Restaurant

2728 O’Hara Lane

Surrey, 604-538-6102

Who would have thunk it? A seaside patio in Surrey. Greek food.

OASIS SPOTS

Parkside

1906 Haro St., 604-683-6912

Elegant courtyard garden patio in green residential neighbourhood.

Hart House

6664 Deer Lake Avenue

Burnaby, 604-298-4278

Behind a manor house overlooking a manicured lawn and views of Deer Lake.

Crave

3941 Main St., 604-872-3663

Large, attractive patio at the back as well as two tables on sidewalk mini-patio.

Kingston Taphouse and Grill

755 Richards St., 604-681-7011

Pair of chic patios on two levels. Fountain, fireplace,rooftop bar.

Dundarave Fish Market

2423 Marine Dr

604-922-1155

Quaint, villagey feel. Sidewalk patio.

The Naam

2724 West Fourth Ave., 604-738-7151

Peaceful hideaway patio on busy Fourth Avenue.

Chi Restaurant and Lounge

1796 Nanaimo, 604-215-0078

An oasis of taste on a dull stretch of Nanaimo Street.

Chai

2nd floor, 3239 West Broadway,

604-734-5881

Ayurvedic food. Terrace surrounded by faux forest mural.

Vancouver Art Gallery

750 Hornby, 604-688-2233

Off the steps of the stately VAG building, a chic downtown getaway.

Cafe Il Nido

780 Thurlow St., 604-685-6436

A European-feel courtyard cafe in the Manhattan Building complex.

Fish House in Stanley Park

8901 Stanley Park Dr., 604-681-7275

Scores Stanley Park as a backdrop.

Senova

1864 West 57th Ave., 604-266-8643

Ingenious use of the space between buildings. Feels appropriately Mediterranean.

Sequoia Grill

Ferguson Point

Stanley Park Drive, 604-669-3281

Can be touristy but it’s romantic and lovely as all get-out.

The Tomahawk

1550 Philip Ave.

North Vancouver, 604-988-2612

Nine tables with umbrellas and chairs surrounded by trees.

Altitudes Bistro

Grouse Mountain Resorts

6400 Nancy Greene Way

North Vancouver, 604-984-0661

The 3,700 ft.-high perch atop Grouse Mt. gives a bird’s eye view on clear days. On cloudy ones? Not so good.

Bacchus Bistro

Domaine de Chaberton Winery

1064 — 216th St.

Langley, 604-530-9694

Set next to the vineyard. Great French bistro food, fresh country air, a nice getaway.

URBAN

Brix

1138 Homer St., 604-915-9463

Enchanting courtyard space in Yaletown brick-surround.

Cincin Ristorante

1154 Robson St., 604-688-7338

Set on second floor above a river of shoppers on the street below. Cocooned in a garden.

Il Giardino

1382 Hornby St., 604-669-2422

The name means ‘garden’ and that’s because of the patio.

Smoking Dog

1889 West First Ave., 604-732-8811

Streetside patio in the Kitsilano hub-bub.

Irish Heather

217 Carrall St., 604-688-9779

Small, lively funky and fun patio at the back of the restaurant.

Yaletown Brewing Co.

1111 Mainland Street, 604-681-2739

It might be just a bunch of tables out front, but it’s a crowd pleaser for people watching. Always busy.

Blue Water Cafe and Raw Bar

1095 Hamilton St., 604-688-8078

White table cloths, fine wine, and Yaletown vibes and fine food, al fresco.

Water St. Cafe

300 Water St., 604-689-2832

Could be a cafe in Italy. Cobblestoned street, charming old building.

River’s Reach Pub

320 Sixth St.

New Westminster, 604-777-0101

A table by the riverrock fireplace; a beer, a burger, life’s good.

Earl’s Restaurants

3850 Lougheed Highway

Burnaby, 604-205-5025

6339 — 200th St.

Langley, 604-534-8750

2850 Shaughnessy St.

Port Coquitlam, 604-941-1733

5300 No. 3 Rd.,

Richmond, 604-303-9702

7236 — 120th St.

Surrey, 604-501-2233

1767 — 152nd St.

Surrey, 604-536-8700

303 Marine Dr.

North Vancouver, 604-984-4341

901 West Broadway, 604-734-5995

Most of the Earl’s Restaurant patios have gone tropical, some with wicker, banana plants, tiki torches and tropical cocktails.

Cactus Club

1530 West Broadway, 604-733-0434

110 –101 Schoolhouse St., Coquitlam, 604-777-0440

855 Main St., Village at Park Royal, 604-922-1707

These Cactus Clubs can boast about their patios.

ROOFTOP GEMS

Yoshi on Denman

689 Denman St., 604-738-8226

It overlooks busy Georgia Street, but beyond the traffic, you take in Stanley Park and Coal Harbour.

Joe Fortes Seafood

and Chop House

777 Thurlow St., 604-669-1940

Roof garden patio on two levels, one covered, the other not. Lots of greenery and flowers.

Tanpopo

1122 Denman St., 604-681-7777

High above the throngs on Denman, a wide-open patio for nibbling sushi and slurping noodles.

Savory Coast

Upstairs, 1133 Robson Street, 604-642-6278

A nice escape from Robson Street.

Davie Village Cafe

1141 Davie St., 604-228-1819

Shame the rooftop patio in front won’t be finished this summer but there’s a big, gardeny, private one at the back.

Jupiter Cafe

1216 Bute St., 604-609-6665

Funky and casual, gay and straight, this West End patio is a refuge from the bustling Davie Street.

Handi Cuisine of India

1340 Marine Drive

West Vancouver, 604-925-5262

This must be the only Indian restaurant in the Lower Mainland with a spectacular view. Wide angle view of ocean and cruiseships in summer.

Saltaire

235 — 15th St.

West Vancouver, 604-913-8439

Sweeping view of the water and Stanley park from this swish rooftop. Teak furniture, blue umbrellas and live music sometimes.

OASIS SPOTS

Parkside

1906 Haro St., 604-683-6912

Elegant courtyard garden patio in green residential neighbourhood.

Hart House

6664 Deer Lake Ave.

Burnaby, 604-298-4278

Behind a manor house overlooking a manicured lawn and views of Deer Lake.

Crave

3941 Main St., 604-872-3663

Large, attractive patio at the back as well as two tables on sidewalk mini-patio.

Kingston Taphouse and Grill

755 Richards St., 604-681-7011

Pair of chic patios on two levels. Fountain, fireplace,rooftop bar.

Dundarave Fish Market

2423 Marine Dr

604-922-1155

Quaint, villagey feel. Sidewalk patio.

The Naam

2724 West Fourth Ave., 604-738-7151

Peaceful hideaway patio on busy Fourth Avenue.

Chi Restaurant and Lounge

1796 Nanaimo, 604-215-0078

An oasis of taste on a dull stretch of Nanaimo Street.

Chai

2nd floor, 3239 West Broadway,

604-734-5881

Ayurvedic food. Terrace surrounded by faux forest mural.

Vancouver Art Gallery

750 Hornby, 604-688-2233

Off the steps of the stately VAG building, a chic downtown getaway.

Cafe Il Nido

780 Thurlow St., 604-685-6436

A European-feel courtyard cafe in the Manhattan Building complex.

Fish House in Stanley Park

8901 Stanley Park Dr., 604-681-7275

Scores Stanley Park as a backdrop.

Senova

1864 West 57th Ave., 604-266-8643

Ingenious use of the space between buildings. Feels appropriately Mediterranean.

Sequoia Grill

Ferguson Point

Stanley Park Drive, 604-669-3281

Can be touristy but it’s romantic and lovely as all get-out.

The Tomahawk

1550 Philip Ave.

North Vancouver, 604-988-2612

Nine tables with umbrellas and chairs surrounded by trees.

Altitudes Bistro

Grouse Mountain Resorts

6400 Nancy Greene Way

North Vancouver, 604-984-0661

The 3,700 ft.-high perch atop Grouse Mt. gives a bird’s eye view on clear days. On cloudy ones? Not so good.

Bacchus Bistro

Domaine de Chaberton Winery

1064 — 216th St.

Langley, 604-530-9694

Set next to the vineyard. Great French bistro food, fresh country air, a nice getaway.

URBAN

Brix

1138 Homer St., 604-915-9463

Enchanting courtyard space in Yaletown brick-surround.

Cincin Ristorante

1154 Robson St., 604-688-7338

Set on second floor above a river of shoppers on the street below. Cocooned in a garden.

Il Giardino

1382 Hornby St., 604-669-2422

The name means ‘garden’ and that’s because of the patio.

Smoking Dog

1889 West First Ave., 604-732-8811

Streetside patio in the Kitsilano hub-bub.

Irish Heather

217 Carrall St., 604-688-9779

Small, lively funky and fun patio at the back of the restaurant.

Yaletown Brewing Co.

1111 Mainland Street, 604-681-2739

It might be just a bunch of tables out front, but it’s a crowd pleaser for people watching. Always busy.

Blue Water Cafe and Raw Bar

1095 Hamilton St., 604-688-8078

White table cloths, fine wine, and Yaletown vibes and fine food, al fresco.

Water St. Cafe

300 Water St., 604-689-2832

Could be a cafe in Italy. Cobblestoned street, charming old building.

River’s Reach Pub

320 Sixth St.

New Westminster, 604-777-0101

A table by the riverrock fireplace; a beer, a burger, life’s good.

Earl’s Restaurants

3850 Lougheed Highway

Burnaby, 604-205-5025

6339 — 200th St.

Langley, 604-534-8750

2850 Shaughnessy St.

Port Coquitlam, 604-941-1733

5300 No. 3 Rd.,

Richmond, 604-303-9702

7236 — 120th St.

Surrey, 604-501-2233

1767 — 152nd St.

Surrey, 604-536-8700

303 Marine Dr.

North Vancouver, 604-984-4341

901 West Broadway, 604-734-5995

Most of the Earl’s Restaurant patios have gone tropical, some with wicker, banana plants, tiki torches and tropical cocktails.

Cactus Club

1530 West Broadway, 604-733-0434

110 –101 Schoolhouse St., Coquitlam, 604-777-0440

855 Main St., Village at Park Royal, 604-922-1707

These Cactus Clubs can boast about their patios.

ROOFTOP GEMS

Yoshi on Denman

689 Denman St., 604-738-8226

It overlooks busy Georgia Street, but beyond the traffic, you take in Stanley Park and Coal Harbour.

Joe Fortes Seafood

and Chop House

777 Thurlow St., 604-669-1940

Roof garden patio on two levels, one covered, the other not. Lots of greenery and flowers.

Tanpopo

1122 Denman St., 604-681-7777

High above the throngs on Denman, a wide-open patio for nibbling sushi and slurping noodles.

Savory Coast

Upstairs, 1133 Robson Street, 604-642-6278

A nice escape from Robson Street.

Davie Village Cafe

1141 Davie St., 604-228-1819

Shame the rooftop patio in front won’t be finished this summer but there’s a big, gardeny, private one at the back.

Jupiter Cafe

1216 Bute St., 604-609-6665

Funky and casual, gay and straight, this West End patio is a refuge from the bustling Davie Street.

Handi Cuisine of India

1340 Marine Drive

West Vancouver, 604-925-5262

This must be the only Indian restaurant in the Lower Mainland with a spectacular view. Wide angle view of ocean and cruiseships in summer.

Saltaire

235 — 15th St.

West Vancouver, 604-913-8439

Sweeping view of the water and Stanley park from this swish rooftop. Teak furniture, blue umbrellas and live music sometimes.

Posted in Restaurants | Comments Off on Restaurants Patio and Water Dining

Archive for June, 2006

New restaurant “ZATA” rating system for Vancouver Restaurants

Larry Beasley – City of Vancouver Planner leaves, confident Vancouver will continue as a livable city

City planner leaves, confident Vancouver will continue as a livable city

Restaurants Patio and Water Dining

Water Views: Is it any wonder we have our reputation as Lotuslanders? The Sun’s Mia Stainsby takes a look at our collection of lazy-making patios and our bonanza of waterside ones.

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