Amenity spaces will enhance community at The Oaks
ROBIN BRUNET
The Province
West Coquitlam has been described as a growing hub of culture and outdoor recreation, an ideal place for families to put down roots and for people to connect with each other. It’s this sense of interaction that has inspired Strand to develop The Oaks as a unique offering to the neighbourhood – and a distinctive addition to Greater Vancouver’s busy housing market.
While the high-quality features and the affordable prices of The Oaks’ one-, two-, and three-bedroom homes are attracting the attention of first-time buyers and young families alike, arguably the most exciting aspect of this project is that Strand is delivering The Oaks as a community within the city, thanks to 28,000 square feet of private indoor and outdoor amenities. “That includes over half an acre of green, family-friendly outdoor space, including private gardens, two courtyards, children’s play areas, an outdoor barbecue area and walking paths,” says Mike Mackay, president of Strand.
The sense of a community within the city is enhanced by the fact that the outdoor space is nestled within what will ultimately be three six-storey condominium buildings, making it both a protective haven for children and respite for adults, as well as a lush architectural feature for homeowners gazing out their windows.
Equally impressive is the sheer volume and usefulness of amenities Strand has included inside The Oaks. All homeowners have access to a 2,700-square-foot living room with elegantly designed comfortable space, including a cosy lounge, a children’s playroom and a reservable dining space with kitchen (ideal for hosting private events and special occasions).
A games room is a space for relaxation and recreation, with pool and foosball on hand, while a fitness studio provides all the luxuries of a modern, fully outfitted training facility.
That’s only part of The Oaks’ offerings. There’s also a spin studio with on-demand digital training sessions, an indoor kids’ play area, a theatre and flexible workspaces for those who need to concentrate or collaborate from home. “Every amenity space Strand has created has been with the intention of promoting human interaction while maximizing utility,” says Mackay. “We want homeowners to meet each other and foster a lasting sense of community together and for families to grow in a safe place.”
However, this abundance of amenities would mean little if it wasn’t matched by livable units developed with an equally high degree of care and thoughtfulness. Strand retained Ste. Marie, which is renowned for its work in the restaurant sector, to bring The Oaks’ homes to life.
Mackay says: “The floor plans of the one-, two-, and three-bedroom homes maximize space with high ceilings and plenty of natural light and have been designed with the utmost attention to detail throughout, from the quartz countertops in the kitchen and the frameless shower doors in the bathrooms, to the USB outlets conveniently located by the master beds.” As for the design of the three buildings themselves, they are West Coast contemporary, distinctly modern and very appealing.
All of these elements are entirely in keeping with Strand’s approach to residential development. “Strand brings a global sensibility and elegance to every project it undertakes,” says Mackay. “We are a local Vancouver based company with over 40 years of experience developing homes in Greater Vancouver and over 23,000 homes across North America. Every project we deliver is underpinned by a commitment to quality and timeless design, which have been major differentiators for our company over the course of its history.”
The other distinct advantage of The Oaks is its location: homeowners are only a 10-minute walk away from the Burquitlam SkyTrain Station (which in turn brings commuters to downtown Vancouver in less than 40 minutes), minutes to the shopping/dining destination of Lougheed Town Centre, and nearby schools for all ages (including Miller Park Elementary School and Banting Middle School) as well as the Simon Fraser University Burnaby campus.
Port Moody is easily accessed from The Oaks by car or SkyTrain and provides a host of family activities at Rocky Point Park, including swimming, biking, wildlife viewing, and kayaking/paddle boarding. (Rocky Point is also a place with plenty of free events, like RibFest and Golden Spike Days.)
Mackay concludes: “The Oaks is unique in its creation of a sense of community within a greater urban space, and West Coquitlam is the ideal neighbourhood for growing families to experience this.”
The Oaks’ presentation centre is now open and Mackay urges prospective buyers to visit the two-bedroom display home at the presentation centre, which is located at 730 Clarke Road, Coquitlam (open daily from noon until 5 p.m. Closed Fridays, or by appointment). Website: www.owntheoaks.com
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