High Point sales staff direct their pitch at buyers who want a bucolic experience
Caralyn Campbell
Sun
HIGH STREET
Project location: 2950 King George Boulevard
Project size: eight townhouses and 80 apartments
Residence size: 714– 1,394 sq. ft.
Price from: $279,900 — $495,900
Developer: Grosvenor
Architect: Rositch Hemphill and Associates
Interior design: BYU Design
Sales centre: 401 2950 King George Highway
Hours: noon — 5 p.m., Sat — Thur
Telephone: 604-536-9333
Web: www.southpointelife.com
Occupancy: immediate
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Master-planned communities are nothing new. The concept is familiar throughout the world and dates back centuries. Whether these new communities enhance or detract from surrounding neighbourhoods depends on the vision and skill of the developer.
More than 300 years ago, the real estate property developer Grosvenor began transforming areas on the outskirts of central London into Mayfair and Belgravia.
Mayfair is recognized worldwide as the finest London address, with its elegant facades and leafy streets and squares that provide a quiet oasis in the heart of the city. The grand stucco terraces of Belgravia, home to exclusive Eaton Square, are just a stroll from the best restaurants and shopping in London.
Eight years ago, Grosvenor developers focused their formidable talents on creating South Point Exchange in South Surrey, with a long-term vision of transforming the district into a vibrant mixed-use neighbourhood with a blend of residences, shops and services.
Smack between two major thoroughfares on a former llama farm, South Point Exchange has brought much-needed amenities into an area that was largely under-serviced. Major retailers such as Save-On-Foods, Canadian Tire and Staples now anchor a massive shopping centre.
Living in such a busy district on the edge of a mall may not sound appealing, but somehow, High Street at South Point has an insular feel. It’s like a village within a community within a city. The streetscape is Whistler-esque, with a vibrant village atmosphere and pedestrian-friendly walkways.
Every amenity is within walking distance of High Street, including gourmet groceries, restaurants, coffee shops, a neighbourhood pub, and shops that sell fresh produce, fine wines, and the latest in home decor and fashion.
High Street, which is comprised of 88 suites in two four-storey buildings, has strong architecture that was created by the award-winning firm of Rositch Hemphill and Associates, which used such materials as brick and HardiePlank siding, along with such details as moulded cornices and rich wood trim. Lush landscaping complements this esthetic.
Interiors are airy and spacious, with over-height ceilings and free-flowing floor plans. Kitchens feature six-piece professional appliance packages, stone countertops and rich wood cabinetry. The bathrooms have oversized porcelain tile floors, marble countertops and designer tubs.
These details, along with the convenient amenities, may explain the predominance of downsizing home-shoppers attracted to High Street.
That may also explain why the largest building in the South Point complex is a mini-storage facility, since parting with stuff may be the hardest part of downsizing for many people.
“Our sales team has noted that downsizing to a condo from a 2,000-square-foot home is, in many cases, a tougher decision than that of a first-time buyer,” says James Patillo, senior vice-president and general manager of Grosvenor Americas Vancouver/Calgary.
Downsizers don’t want to end up in “a shoebox” that’s priced the same as they house they sold. And of course, the size of outdoor space can be a letdown for people who are used to having a large back yard.
The sales team at High Street felt that focusing on the positive side of downsizing would help condo-curious shoppers buy with confidence, so they compiled the following list.
Pros to downsizing:
– Low-maintenance living: No yard work; the majority of home maintenance is taken care of by the strata; less to clean, and more time to do the things you love.
– Lock-and-leave sensibility: The opportunity/freedom to come and go as you please (in other words, to travel).
– Perceived safety: Living within a community surrounded by neighbours, interphones, and elevators with electronic key-fob access.
– Single-level living: No more stairs to deal with; makes it easier to get around a home.
– Efficient use of space: The opportunity to take advantage of ALL the rooms in your home.
– NEW home: Many downsizers have been living in a single-family home for decades and don’t have the sleek new appliances, gourmet kitchens and modern bathrooms that are offered at new communities like High Street.
– Affordability: The opportunity to bank some cash, live mortgage-free and spend money on the things you enjoy.
– Intimacy: Opportunity to reconnect and enjoy time with loved ones.
“Grosvenor is proud to say that they have been able meet all of these “pros” with their High Street project,” Patillo says.
They even have solutions for what some consider the “cons,” such as a lack of outdoor space; High Street has large patios and covered balconies that act as an extension to indoor living space.
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