Love the outdoors? Get closer to nature

Kate Webb
Province

The Branches development is close to three mountain parks, Lynn Valley Shopping Centre, the new Library Square and a wide choice of North Vancouver schools.

The family-sized units have two bathrooms.

North Vancouver‘s Lynn Valley is an outdoor playground that beckons to those who have ever frolicked in its lush forests or cycled its sublime slopes.

That’s the reason Polygon senior marketing vice-president Ralph Archibald thinks so many buyers at Branches, a new condo development sprouting on the North Shore, are Lynn Valley locals.

“A lot of our buyers have been people who grew up here and now want to come back,” said Archibald. “Lynn Valley is a real hidden jewel. This whole area is about hiking, it’s about mountain biking, it’s about sports in the winter. The whole North Shore has that outdoor enthusiast vibe to it.”

True to its tree-lined location, Branches is all about feeling at one with nature. The Pacific Northwest architecture stands out with warm wood panelling in the lobby, flat-panel birch suite entry doors, electric fireplaces with limestone tiles and two soothing designer colour schemes, Walnut and Honey, from which to choose.

“You’ve got the use of a lot of natural elements in here,” said Archibald. “You’ve got stone granite countertops and real wood cabinets, which really fits in with the whole outdoor feel.”

The laminate wood floors and maple, shaker-style cabinets are contemporary, while still giving off a cottage-type feel.

Appliances included are all top-of-the-line, from the Whirlpool Energy Star dishwasher and gas range stove to the Fisher & Paykel fridge. The stainless steel undermounted sink is conveniently set in the middle of a large slab of counter space and right across from a granite-topped kitchen island — which means big fun for serious cooks.

There are four layouts to choose from, each designed with a different client in mind.

The Birch Series, the most popular and also the most in-supply, offers a large master bedroom overlooking a patio with side-by-side ensuite bathroom and walk-in closet and a second bedroom next door.

That extra bedroom also has a view of the more formal deck space, which is accessible through a door in the living room.

The Cedar and Dogwood Series are what Archibald calls the “mingles” plans (made for singles who live together), because the two bedrooms are built at opposite ends of the apartment for maximum privacy.

The kitchen in the Dogwood layout scheme is outfitted with a quaint dining nook separated from the deck or patio by an oversized window, which means it will provide a perfect view for owners first thing in the morning while sipping their coffee.

The Fir Series is decidedly the most suitable for families. With three bedrooms — the master suite distanced from the two smaller bedrooms by the open concept living and dining room — two bathrooms, and nearly 1,100 square feet of space, these flats could easily accommodate a growing brood.

Just as Branches is inspired by its serene setting, its developers have committed to minimizing its impact on its surrounding ecosystem and environment.

Just a few examples are the area

in the courtyard that has been set aside for composting, a storm-water management plan to limit the potential pollution of natural water flows, and the bathrooms with

low-flow faucets and dual flush

toilets to reduce water use.

Perhaps the biggest pollution saver of all, however, is that Branches is located just at the edge of the Lynn Valley Shopping Centre and the new Library Square, which means residents will never have to get in a car to run their daily errands.

The possibilities for peaceful, nearby pastimes are endless. Lynn Canyon Park, the Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve, Mount

Seymour Provincial Park and the Karen Magnussen Recreation

Centre are all within close range of the site, in addition to a wide

choice of schools.

When it’s time for a taste of city life, the SeaBus to downtown Vancouver and Lonsdale Quay Market are just a 10-minute drive, or an easy jaunt on public transit.

After just a couple of months on the market, Branches is 65 per cent sold out of its first phase. Move-ins begin in February 2009.

[email protected]

BRANCHES

What: Three new, four-storey buildings with 134 condo units.

Where: 2601 Whiteley Court, North Vancouver.

Developer: Polygon

Sizes: Two to three bedrooms, from 890 sq. ft. to 1,101 sq. ft.

Prices: $429,900 to $559,900

Open: Presentation centre with display vignettes open from noon to 6 p.m., Saturday to Thursday

at 217-1233 Lynn Valley Rd.

More information:

www.polyhomes.com

© The Vancouver Province 2008

The demand for green homes is on the rise and many realtors are stepping up to face the challenge

Marta Gold
Sun

Jessica Deverill in front of her Edmonton house, which she bought with help from a green realtor. She wanted a home in a sustainable neighbourhood, close to bus routes, shopping, and with room for a big garden. Photograph by : Chris Schwarz, Canwest News Service

‘Green realtor” sounds like the punchline of a bad joke involving aliens, nausea or inexperience.

In fact, it’s a label increasingly being applied to agents with a keen eye on sustainable homes and energy efficiency — and is a growing niche market.

While some realtors specialize in condos, second homes or acreages, green realtors focus on green homes. Their clients are looking for environmentally friendly houses or seeking to retrofit older homes, either to live in themselves or sell to green buyers.

Christy Boulter — a longtime environmental activist — brought that passion to her work when she began selling real estate in Edmonton. Now she helps like-minded clients find homes with environmentally friendly features, or ones that can be renovated, along with advice on how to make changes.

“It truly has transformed to a lifestyle from a trend,” says Boulter, whose father has been an organic farmer in B.C. for many years.

Most of her clients are “hardworking, average Edmontonians” who can’t always afford some of the fancier, green homes being marketed by a few local builders. “I encourage them to check out sustainable options in renovating their ’50s bungalows,” she says.

Simple changes such as updating appliances, improving insulation and replacing windows can all make a big difference, says Boulter.

That’s what Christina Hunter and Dan Moreau found when they bought their bungalow with Boulter as their agent. “It needed a little bit more work than we originally anticipated, but in the end, I think it will be great,” says Hunter, 24.

They’ve renovated the bathroom, installing an energy-efficient shower head and low-flow toilet. They’re adding extra insulation and are working on the yard, to grow their own fruits and vegetables.

“For Dan and I, the ultimate goal is an acreage, and we’ll do everything we can to go off-grid,” she says. That would include their own wind turbine, solar panels and well. “It’s not to be against ‘the man,’ it’s just to be self-sufficient and to be carbon-neutral,” she adds.

Though the couple already felt well-informed about green options before they chose Boulter as their realtor, “it was great knowing that she was on the same wavelength as us,” says Hunter.

For 30-year-old home buyer Jessica Deverill, a green home meant one in a central neighbourhood, close to bus routes and shopping. She turned to Boulter to help find the right house, which they did. The house has the shops of Little Italy nearby, good bus service and is central enough that she can ride her bike. The house also has fruit trees and a yard big enough for a large vegetable garden and small greenhouse.

Rodney Gietz, a green agent for Bison Realty in Edmonton, says most of his clients are already knowledgeable about the environment and sustainability. One of the key changes he recommends, particularly in resale homes, is improving the efficiency of the heating and electrical systems.

Green clients are often looking for nice, big gardens, Gietz adds. “That’s a major goal of people who want to live sustainably. Plus it’s a physical activity and an activity of the soul.”

It’s not just hardcore environmentalists who are increasingly interested in green home options.

A survey last fall done by Royal LePage found 72 per cent of Canadians said they would look for a greener home in their next home purchase. And 63 per cent said they’d be willing to pay more for an environmentally friendly home.

Green realty, while still a fledgling specialty in Alberta, is becoming a growing trend in British Columbia and Ontario, says James Rodgers, head of the Green Realty Association in B.C.

But “green” can come in a variety of shades, he cautions. “At this point, you don’t know what you’re getting. Different realtors have a different take on things.”

The training available is still fairly limited, though that is quickly changing.

Still, “the potential for greenwashing is great,” he adds. As the economy shifts and housing inventories increase, more realtors are looking to distinguish themselves, some by adopting green personas, says Rodgers.

Clients should ask green realtors exactly what their name means. Some donate part of their commission to related non-profit groups. Others specialize in energy efficiency, or are more knowledgeable about environmental health, for example.

Make sure your needs, as a client, fit with the realtor’s area of expertise, Rodgers advises.

© The Vancouver Sun 2008

Sun

What would you do if you had to flee your home on short notice?

Emergency preparedness experts say it’s wise to put together a supply kit that will get you and your family — and your pets — through the first 72 hours.

Here’s a snapshot of some the items you should include, ideally in a backpack with wheels that’s stored near an exit door.

– A first-aid kit, flashlight and batteries, as well as a radio with batteries.

– Toilet paper and personal supplies, including medications.

– Photocopies of important papers, such as ID and personal documents.

– Canned food — for you and your pets — and bottled water, as well as a can opener.

– Shoes and a change of clothes.

– Blankets or sleeping bags.

– Extra car keys and cash.

For more information, visit redcross.ca and getprepared.ca

STILL SPEAKING OF PREPAREDNESS…

Remember that smoke detectors save lives — period.

Since 1997, new homes have been required to have smoke detectors hard-wired into the electrical system. Check that you have at least one detector on every level. And if they’re hard-wired, check that they have a battery backup in case the power goes out.

When buying detectors, ensure they’re CSA or ULC approved. Consider detectors that use a voice instead of a beep, as they may wake children more effectively.

Emergency preparedness experts also say it’s important to have fire extinguishers on hand, and to know how to use them. They should be placed in every vulnerable room — including kitchens, workshops and garages — and be easily reachable.

Extinguishers should be used only if a fire is small, if there is a clear exit, and when everyone has evacuated and 911 called.

© The Vancouver Sun 2008

Barbara Gunn
Sun

At Three Harbour Green the average per-square asking price is $2,000. At Two Harbour Green it was less than $1,000. At One harbour Green, about $850. construction costs have doubled over the years, the developer reports.

A Three Harbour Green address will be a testimonial to Italian mastery of the decorative arts, the developer promises. ‘If you want design, you have to go to Italy,’ Aspac’s Lance Brown comments. ‘That’s not knocking anywhere else, but if you really want to show quality, the Italians are still unsurpassed.’

Three-to-a-floor residency makes for expansive living space – doubly so when in glass homes in which the ceilings are 10 feet above the floor.

Three Harbour Green is a Vancouver milepost, the “last spike” in the transformation of Coal Harbour from transcontinental railway terminus to what the developer is calling the city’s most prestigious waterfront neighbourhood.

By 2012, and the completion of construction of Three Harbour Green, Coal Harbour’s last available site will have been filled in and the area will have fully realize its vision — as a vibrant, people-friendly community that one Aspac executive says is drawing worldwide attention.

“We have so many visitors from overseas planning departments,” says Lance Brown, an Aspac vice-president. “I’ve hosted people from China, from Russia, Europe, the States, from South America . . . And they all want to come and see Coal Harbour. They all say: ‘Show me how you do this on your waterfront.’ They’re all absolutely amazed by it.”

The redevelopment story Brown is describing began in 1993, when Aspac, in partnership with Marathon Realty, began to transform some 47 acres of waterfront between the Westin Bayshore and Canada Place — lands that were once the site of the western terminus of the Canadian Pacific Railway.

The vision called for a new, upscale neighbourhood, one that would combine residential, hotel, commercial and retail purposes with large tracts of green space.

Next month, work will begin on the final phase of that vision.

Three Harbour Green — the last of three residential towers that will comprise Aspac’s Harbour Green Place neighbourhood — will begin to rise at the corner of Thurlow and Cordova, the Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Centre next door.

When that tower is finished, says Brown, it will be unlike anything Vancouver will ever see again.

“This is the last opportunity for anybody to have waterfront down here,” he says. “If you want to get in Coal Harbour, on waterfront, this is the last chance to purchase new. The resale market is always going to be there, but if you want to have a new one, this is it. There’ll be nothing following.”

There’s no question that the penthouse — it will be a two-level, four-bedroom residence that will have more than 8,000 square feet of living space, 24-foot ceilings and a full rooftop deck — will be what Brown calls “a one-off.”

“When we started out, our penthouses were sort of 3,500 feet. That’s now a standard suite for us. They’re getting bigger, and bigger. And with this one, we thought, well, it’s our last building, so let’s throw everything at it…

“The price is a little over $22 million, so yes, somebody’s going to pick themselves up a nice home.”

The penthouses in the first two Harbour Green towers, One Harbour Green and Two Harbour Green, set record prices a few years back — they went for $6.02 million and $7.75 million, respectively, when they were purchased in 2003 and 2005 — and Brown says the penthouse in the third tower is also attracting a lot of attention, even though Aspac has so far introduced the homes to private clients only.

“Penthouse buyers are a different breed from normal human beings, so they do take their time,” he says. “They’ll hunt around a bit. There are only so many of these. I mean, if you look at the whole of downtown Vancouver, and you look at the number of penthouses that are actually sitting on the water — they’re very few and far between.”

Most of those who purchased in the first two Harbour Green towers — Brown says they’re part of a “very different crowd” — are individuals who have properties elsewhere, both within B.C. and around the globe.

“We’ve had purchasers who have a house in White Rock or Lion’s Bay or the Sunshine Coast, or even the Vancouver area. … And we have people who have houses in London and Madrid and Hong Kong — and here — and they kind of move between them. Lovely lifestyle, if you can get it.”

For those who appreciate truly top-end touches, there’s no doubt that the lifestyle at Three Harbour Green will be lovely. The views of Stanley Park, the North Shore mountains and Coal Harbour will be expansive, of course, and the access to the neighbourhood’s amenities — it includes a new community centre, children’s water park, marina and extended seawall — are certain to add to the appeal of Coal Harbour residency.

But it will be the interior finishings of the units — there will be eight townhomes and 73 condos including the penthouse — that Brown suggests will truly distinguish the homes.

“All the finishings, everything, is coming from Italy,” he says. “The kitchens are by Snaidero. The lime [cabinetry] is called Venus, which is designed by Pininfarina, the guy who designs Ferraris. . . . The closets are by another Italian company, called MOVE. The bathroom vanities are by another Italian company, called L’O di Giotto.

“Virtually everything in the suite, everything that’s fixed, is from Italy. … It’s the best. If you want design, you have to go to Italy. That’s not knocking anywhere else, but if you really want to show quality, the Italians are still unsurpassed.”

(Those finishes will undoubtedly be embraced by the one Italian buyer — Brown won’t reveal his name — who has “bought in every single project we’ve ever had.”)

Residents of the homes will have access to a 24-hour concierge, as well as two amenity centres, which will house a 70-foot indoor pool, gymnasium, squash court, theatre and “virtual golf” simulator, among other things.

Homes will have full-height windows, ceilings that rise at least 10 feet and balconies with gas fireplaces. Most of the levels will have a maximum of three homes, providing for what Brown calls “very, very expansive living.”

The residences are priced at just under $2,000 a square foot, which compares with an average of less than $1,000 for Two Harbour Green and about $850 for One Harbour Green. “During that time frame, our construction costs have gone up by around 100 per cent and land costs by at least that amount,” notes Brown.

Now that the transformation of Coal Harbour is nearing completion, Brown says the redevelopment has surpassed all expectations.

“It’s the end of a long road for us,” he says. “We’ve been at this for 15 years, and it’s going to take another four years to get this complete, so it’s a 20-year journey from start to finish. . . .

“I don’t think anybody could have envisaged how successful the development of Coal Harbour has been . . . I’ve lived in cities around the world, and I can’t think of anything that compares with Coal Harbour anywhere on the planet.”

– – –

NEW HOMES: PROJECT PROFILE

Three Harbour Green

Project location: Coal Harbour, Vancouver

Project size: 81 apartments and townhouses, 32-storey building

Residence size: 1,880 sq. ft. – 8,010 sq. ft., 2 – 4 bedrooms

Prices: From $2.5 million

Presentation centre: 18th floor, 1055 West Hastings, by appointment only

Phone: 604-683-3388

Web: www.harbourgreenplace.com

Developer: Aspac Developments

Architect: IBI HB Architects

Interior design: BBA Design Consultants

Occupancy: 2012

© The Vancouver Sun 2008