SIMPLE LIFE: More privacy than a condo and no grass to mow attracts buyers to Intracorp townhomes
? Mary Frances Hill
The Province
What: The Intracorp Townhome Collection.
Where: 218-282 W. 62nd Ave.; 74307488 Granville St; Granville St & W. 57th Ave., Vancouver
Residence sizes and prices: Two- and three-bedroom townhomes, 1,617-2,650 sq ft., from $1.49 million.
Developer and builder: Intracorp
Display home: 266 W. 62nd Ave, Vancouver
Hours: By appointment
Telephone: 604-891-1288
In Vancouver, where real estate chatter can sometimes be seen as residents’ official second language, the challenge of securing a single-family home within city limits is often a heated topic.
But as he organizes sales of the Intracorp Townhome Collection, a series of homes in three established neighbourhoods, Barrett Sprowson is hearing a different tone to the conversation.
The Intracorp sales manager says many people may be surprised to learn that townhouses are growing in popularity not only because of their cost relative to single-family homes, but because they answer a need for more convenience and for less maintenance than a larger home would demand. At the same time, they offer more space and privacy than the average condo.
“A large majority of the folks we’re encountering don’t want to own a single-family home,” Sprowson says.
“The townhome really fits their lifestyle and what they want out of a home, more than owning a large home on a piece of land , where they have to spend their weekends mowing the lawn.”
The Intracorp Townhome Collection includes homes on West 62nd Avenue, and extends to 26 homes at 7430-7488 Granville Street, and 14 at Granville and West 57th.
In the open-concept kitchen and dining area of one set of homes, Trepp Design principal Scott Trepp paired dark wood, in the island and wall cabinetry, with a marble backsplash for a luxurious touch; the chairs accompanying the island contrast in a lighter wood shade. Those differences add sophistication and warmth — a look similar to that in the living room, where dark brown seating dominates a light backdrop, and in the dining room, where white gloss cabinetry covers the dining room wall. Drama continues in the bathroom’s dark storage units and cabinetry.
In another scheme, the shades are reversed, with white dominating one kitchen and living room, which is also graced with darker shades. In both schemes, the design is all simplicity and elegance.
The key to Trepp Design’s work on the townhomes, no matter the community: avoid trends, and stick to timeless pieces.
“Since each of those communities has its own specific feel we actively sought to avoid furnishings that are trendy. Instead, we opted for pieces that are more simple, clean and classic,” Trepp says.
The designer also explains that this simplicity is essential to the homes’ appeal, mostly due to their layout. “Within the display home itself, the dining, kitchen and living areas are all within the main floor and visible at the same time. Had we not implemented a strategy of cleanliness and simplicity things could have easily become overwhelmingly busy.”
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