FINAL PHASE: Developer offers 165 well-priced units on the east side of False Creek
Jeani Read
Province
The kitchens at Creekside by Science World have standard stainless appliances. Photograph by : Wayne Leidenfrost, The Province
Vancouver‘s city centre is moving slowly eastward and, in the process, discovering new territory, borrowing flavour and character from sleepy traditional neighbourhoods and waking them up to the 21st century.
We asked Maureen Wilson, sales rep at Creekside, the final offering in Bosa’s ambitious eight-phase, 15-year Citygate development, why she likes the project so well she bought a unit in it herself.
Q: What’s attractive about the neighbourhood?
“It’s Yaletown six or seven years ago. It’s a developing area. The people who moved into Brighton (next door) a year ago have noticed a huge change in that short time. The views are the best in the city: False Creek, the city of Vancouver, all the way up Indian Arm and the North Shore mountains. You don’t get that in Yaletown. And you’re kind of in the city but not in the city. I’s quieter, yet you’re minutes away from the downtown core.”
Q: The future?
“With everything in the south-east False Creek in huge new development, the future is going to be very high-end, much like Marinaside. It’ll all come in and meld in around False Creek.”
Q: What’s attracting buyers?
“The prices. Wow. We’re Yaletown without the Yaletown prices. [Creekside] is very competitive, you can get a 1,600 sq. ft. townhouse with private garage for $421 a foot. Where can you buy that in Vancouver? You can’t.”
Q: Amenities?
“There’s a steam room, a sauna, a billiards room, an exercise area, private lounge and private garden. On the east side it’s all garden courtyards.”
Q: What do people like about the floor plans?
“The square footage. They’re big! Homes are getting smaller and smaller but Bosa still builds a 1,274-sq.-ft. condo. And they’re very open — every space is usable, no lost space in hallways and good closet space. Some even have storage and most come with two-car parking.”
Q: Upgrades?
“New low-profile stainless steel fridges are standard — very European and streamlined. All appliances are stainless, standard. A built-in microwave, full-size stacking washer/dryer, all granite countertops. The hardwood floors are all hardwood, not laminate, and are standard in the kitchen. You can upgrade to hardwood throughout but, outside of that, everything is upgraded already.”
Q: Who’s buying?
“People who are already in the area, living in older buildings but wanting to move to a newer building. A lot of people who moved out of town but are coming back because they miss it. Empty nesters and young professionals who want to get rid of that car. A good mix.”
QUICK FACTS
CREEKSIDE
What: 165 units on the east edge of False Creek
Where: Columbia and Keefer
Developer: Bosa Development
Sizes: One-bedroom and den condos to two-bedroom plus den and family room townhomes, 734 to 1,554 sq.ft.
Prices: $409,200-$752,800
Tickets: Noon to 5 p.m. daily except Friday, 106 Keefer St., 604-689-5222
FIVE FAB FEATURES
– By land: “You can walk across the street and be on the seawall. That’s wonderful. And it’s a five-minute walk to Marinaside’s fab restaurants.”
– By sea: “You can take the little ferry to Granville Island Market.”
– By latte: “There’s a Starbucks right there. That’s always wonderful.”
– The easy button: “A live-in caretaker.”
– Get fit: “I love sauna and steam room. And you don’t have to join a fitness club.”
© The Vancouver Province 2006
