Eager buyers grab East Vancouver waterfront

Christina Symons
Sun

Project name: Avant

Project location/address: 2901 Wall St., Vancouver

Project size: 48 townhouses and flats, 2 and 3 bedrooms

Residence size: 1,065-1,894 sq. ft.

Prices: $480,900-$871,900

Developer: Aragon Properties Ltd.

Architect: Ramsay Worden Architects

Interior design: Aragon Properties Ltd.

Sales centre: 3490 East Hastings St.

Hours: Noon to 5 p.m., Saturday to Thursday

Telephone: 604-298-2240

E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.avantliving.ca

Occupancy: October 2011

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If necessity truly is the mother of invention, then we can thank Vancouver’s shrinking supply of developable land for inspiring planners to unearth innovative pockets of paradise we didn’t know we had.

A case in point is the forthcoming esplanade waterfront development at the base of Renfrew Street in East Vancouver. Renfrew waterfront, you say?

Believe it. Trip down to Wall Street at Renfrew to the site of Avant, and you’ll find a postcard scene replete with rolling green space and sea views of the whitecapped Burrard Inlet over to the snow-capped North Shore mountains.

The neighbourhood’s industrial roots are represented, too; there is a working port nearby and rail tracks along the waterside paths.

Developer Aragon began planning the intriguing site that is Avant in 2004, smitten by the unique location tucked away in a little known, yet highly regarded neighbourhood north of McGill Street.

“To us, this neighbourhood is the east side equivalent of Cornwall Street,” says David Roppel, director of planning and development for Aragon Properties Ltd. “We felt that the locale with its unparalleled views and parks added up to an ideal location for West Coast living.”

True to form, on a sunny day there is an inlet breeze wafting the scent of fresh-cut lawn; joggers and dog-walkers are out in force; several amateur photographers are shooting the mountains, and a handful of cyclists roll on by. Alas, there aren’t any sunbathers or fish and chips kiosks, however — not yet, at least.

The existing neighbourhood is just plain lovely. Think unpretentious, well-built single-family homes, staggered politely on a slight rise to catch the picturesque scene.

It’s no wonder that the first-round massing schemes for Avant, squarely in front of the existing community, raised more than a few eyebrows. The first plan included two four-storey apartment buildings with a large view corridor between them, according to Roppel.

But based on community feedback, the project was redesigned to include six slimmer buildings, fanned finger-like, perpendicular to the street with views and courtyard corridors between each. Visually, the result feels calm and conciliatory, allowing more neighbours to retain their old views and more Avant residents to boast new views.

Avant is designed to be both neighbourly and family-friendly. It’s adjacent to New Brighton Park and the community centre with an outdoor pool, public amenities that are expected to be significant draws. Aragon is also counting on young families, complete with parents who value extra room, private front-door entry and green space over the downtown scene. Having said that, downtown, accessed easily via Wall Street, is a mere 13-minute drive away.

To appeal to the urban set, architectural design is simple, sleek and modern. A signature angled steel roof defines the form, with a warm brick facade. Those on the top floor also enjoy dramatic rooftop inset decks.

While downtown towers flaunt the ultimate desirability of living in a penthouse, Avant has its own version of exclusivity, the three-level estate-style endhouse with private parkade access and stellar views.

But all residents have private decks or patios and access to a residential fitness facility in a prime spot near the water. The rooftop decks have sexy gas fireplaces, as well.

Overall heating and cooling is provided by geothermal technology, opted in by the developer, and described as a tangible green benefit to residents. Geothermal air conditioning reduces greenhouse gas emissions over traditional heating and cooling methods.

“Geothermal is not completely novel by any means, but it’s not commonplace,” says David Wan, director of sales and marketing at Aragon. “We are trying to do our part in terms of eco-measures that we can put into the development that genuinely benefit residents.”

Part of the deal is that residents will not be charged for the use of geothermal (with the exception of maintenance within their strata fees, not expected to be more than standard systems).

Once indoors, the mood is decidedly Yaletown, but more spaciously so.

“We like to surprise people,” says Wan of the ultra-urban lofty vibe with a nod to industry.

A full-height reclaimed feature wall of recycled brick from vintage Vancouver buildings says “warehouse chic”. A sumptuous oyster-white ledge stone wall is also on offer, depending on the chosen colour scheme.

Kitty-corner in the living space, the large, linear gas fireplace playfully flickers, while underfoot — another surprise — super-wide engineered hardwood in white oak, with a unique wire brushed distressed effect, manages to be both edgy and elegant.

The granite kitchen has all the bells and whistles, including flat-panel cabinetry with soft-touch closures, a fleet of GE monogram stainless steel appliances and a ferocious Faber fan. Kohler faucets and fixtures are found in the cook and bathing spaces.

In the bath, the styling is about sanctuary, yet the designer has upped the ante with rich marble countertops rather than the usual granite. It’s another example of attending to the finer details to set this development apart, says Wan.

“We do want to be a little bit different, but as developers, it’s getting harder and harder to really distinguish yourself, because the quality is getting so good on so many developments,” Wan admits.

In the case of this development’s forward thinking began with the name and tag line: Avant “Lead the way”, chosen mostly because of the surprise factor of the neighbourhood — to make a proposition that offers typical city-dwellers or suburbanites something a little unexpected in terms of lifestyle and location.

Admittedly, it’s a bit of a gamble, notes Wan when interviewed a week before the property was released to market and sales begin. Although bottom line, Aragon is really about good value for money and bang for buck in terms of finishing and Avant fits that bill, he insists.

Turns out, he needn’t have questioned the proposition one bit. One week after opening, 35 out of 48 units have sold. Response is brisk and enthusiastic, says Wan, with the undiscovered gem now officially out of the bag.

“We felt that in order for someone to come in to Avant, they had to have the spirit of a pioneer because there has not been much development in this area,” says Wan. “It’s new and it dares them to be a little bit different, if they’re ready to pave the way.”

So far, they are.

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This entry was posted on Saturday, May 1st, 2010 at 10:59 am and is filed under Real Estate Related. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.