Condos at The Marq offer rare freehold opportunity right next to UBC
Simon Briault
The Province
There are some generally accepted definitions of desirability when it comes to multi-family residential developments — the walkability of the neighbourhood, the accessibility to nature and the quality of the homes themselves are among the most common. The Marq has all of these things in spades. But what really sets this project apart is its rarity.
The Marq is located in the University Endowment Lands (UEL), the physical legacy of the University Endowment Land Act of 1907, which established a lands trust to raise capital for the formation and initial operation of the University of British Columbia (UBC). Most of the homes in the area are 99-year, prepaid leaseholds. But Westland, the developers behind The Marq, are offering freehold homes at this 22-unit development, which will be located right next to UBC.
“These freehold opportunities just don’t come up very often,” said Ashley Willard Bauman, a sales and marketing consultant who is working with Westland on the project. “That ownership element in this location with a product of this standard — it’s really a special and unique offering.”
“I cannot think of another area that has more walkability,” Willard Bauman added. “The number of shops, restaurants and amenities in the neighbourhood is truly remarkable. You are steps to the very best sports and athletic facilities, an aquatic centre, a tennis centre. The cultural and natural amenities are fantastic too — theatres, museums, art galleries, golf courses, botanical gardens, Spanish Banks — it’s all there on your doorstep. There’s even a fully functioning farm at UBC.”
Other attractions of The Marq — apart from being right next door to one of British Columbia’s most prestigious universities, of course – include shopping and dining districts along West 4th and West 10th Avenues, Kerrisdale Village and Oakridge Centre Mall.
Willard Bauman said the condos at The Marq reflect Westland’s experience building high-end single-family homes. The local, family-owned company is just completing its first multi-family project at Dunbar and 16th Avenue called The Grey, which will be move-in ready later this year.
“They recently started to get interested in multi-family homes, acquired some sites and built a team of local experts around them to execute on those projects,” said Willard Bauman. “The Marq is their second multi-family development, but the company has many other sites going through the approval process right now.”
Homes at The Marq have nine-foot ceilings in main living areas, wide-plank engineered oak hardwood floors and illuminated closet organizers. There are two custom colour palettes by BAM Interiors to choose from and the building was designed by Rositch Hemphill Architects.
The kitchens feature Italian-imported cabinets from Inform Projects, integrated pull-out pantry organizers (in some homes), engineered quartz countertops and slab backsplashes, continuous under-cabinet LED linear lighting and Legrand Adorne pop-out outlets. There are stainless-steel Kohler undermount sinks with graduated edges and accessories. The Gaggenau appliance packages include: 36” or 30” integrated fridges; 30” five-burner gas cooktops; 30” wall ovens; 24” built-in microwaves and 24” integrated dishwashers.
Ensuite bathrooms at many of the homes at The Marq feature Kohler Veil elongated toilets with integrated bidets, heated seats, LED night lights and hands-free opening and closing seat covers. There are custom mirrored medicine cabinets with halo-lit mirror doors, and double wall-hung vanities. The showers have Silestone engineered stone with linear drain systems and there are quartz ledges on the free-standing tub and shower walls to create additional storage.
“We sold five of the 22 homes in the first week — all to local buyers — so we’re really pleased with how this development has been resonating,” said Willard Bauma. “Our demographic is typically in the 40 to 60-year-old range and many of them have been looking at UBC for a while but were waiting for a freehold opportunity. The walkability of the neighbourhood makes what’s on offer at The Marq very special.”
Homes at this four-storey, concrete building have either two or three bedrooms. Units range in size from 830 to 1,020 square feet and prices start at $1.3 million. Homes are on sale now.
The Marq
Project location: 2225 Acadia Road, Vancouver
Project size: 22 homes with either two or three bedrooms. Units range in size from 830 to 1,020 square feet and prices start at $1.3 million.
Developer: Westland
Architect: Rositch Hemphill Architects
Interior designer: BAM Interiors
Sales centre: 3695 4th Avenue West
Hours: Due to COVID-19 crisis, we are only available by appointment.
Sales phone: 604.568.8889
Completion date: Fall 2022
Website: https://westlandliving.ca/themarq/
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