BOUTIQUE TOWNHOMES: Company known for custom mansions brings exacting detail to this little jewel
Jeani Read
Province
The heritage character of the South Main area has been captured in the exterior style and finishing of Maison’s townhomes. Photograph by : Jon Murray, The Province
Inside, the cozy living-dining room areas, sleek kitchens and comfy bedrooms are all finished to the best modern standards. Photograph by : Jon Murray, The Province
We’re thinking exclusive as well as central when we look at Maison and its unique boutique townhomes.
Formwerks and Listraor have teamed up to make a little jewel of a residential project, designed to extend the heritage look of the character neighbourhood of Mount Pleasant (now quickly being upscaled into South Main, or SoMa).
It blends traditional exteriors with new interiors for the best of both worlds in this historical streetscape, says Ken Leong, president of Re/Max Ken Leong, Maison marketers.
“We wanted to add to and complement the streetscape,” he says. “We have other examples around us of buildings that blend in as well. It blends old and new in a perfect location.”
Maison is on a beautiful corner, too, says Leong, who loves the view through the development’s iron-gate entry, of the three silver steeples of an old Greek Orthodox church — as well as the city views and street views the townhomes enjoy, with their graceful old trees and homes.
Known as specialists in custom mansions, Formwerks has only recently stepped into the boutique townhome field, with great results. The company has taken detailing to a whole new level, right up to the custom-made black, rounded downspouts that reflect the proper period — plus millwork and brickwork that’s reflective of the original heritage specifications.
The location is impeccable, too, with the boutiques, cafes, restaurants, galleries, grocery stores and delis of SoMa right at hand and Whole Foods and the new Canada transit line expected a few blocks away in a few years.
There’s shopping at City Square at 12th and Cambie, and a new community centre under construction at Kingsway and 7th.
The future Olympic Village is right at the foot of Quebec and a huge new park is going in on the east side of Cambie Bridge — “the epicentre of many different things,” says Leong. There’s fancy west-side stuff along Cambie, and the hip, antiquey and new local design shops along SoMa. Wallpaper Magazine did a writeup on SoMa, says Leong, dropping an ultra-cool name, saying “SoMa is ‘it.'”
But it’s the housing that’s the most important story, says Leong. Maison has the benefits of single-family housing within the price-point of multiple-dwelling homes. “There are plenty of apartment-style homes available in Vancouver, but few single-family ones within the price range of many buyers,” he says.
Here, you get your own street address, nobody above you, and many homes have both front and back access in the rowhouse tradition, making them feel like separate dwellings.
As well, Formwerks has obsessed about the individual homes’ detailing as much as the larger development’s. Check out the front doors with their burnished-metal hardware and charming glass inserts, the mullioned windows framing those pretty views and the top-floor master suites — some of which come complete with a small den to the side, for that late-night TV viewers, that 24/7 computer junkie or
. . . yes . . . that baby.
Considering almost all of the buyers for Maison are in their 30s with young kids or kids on the way, that’s a detail tha could mean a lot.
Granite counters, solid wood cabinetry, stainless appliances, high ceilings, spa-like bathrooms with extra storage — drawers and a custom linen closet — go a long way to finish the package. As ReMax Leong might say, “Call it home.”
Wait. They DO say that.
And the best part? No waiting. Or, hardly any. Occupancy is any day now. Some lucky people are already there.
QUICK FACTS
MAISON
What: Maison is 14 townhomes in Vancouver
Where: South Main
Developer: Formwerks Development Ltd. and Listraor Development Corporation.
Sizes: Two-bedroom and den and three-bedroom homes; 1,141 sq.ft. — 1,346 sq.ft.
Prices: $549,900 — $649,900
Open: Open Saturdays and Sundays, noon to 5 p.m., 10th at Quebec, 604 609-2600, www.maisonliving.ca.
© The Vancouver Province 2006
