Close to downtown, these beauties are bound to draw a crowd

Kate Webb
Province

Vancouver condo hunters have always had a tough choice between making their nest at a newer or older address.

Go too new and you could end up with something that seems cold, tritely trendy or lacking in personality. Go too old and you might end up with a leaker, or some other equally nightmarish structural defect.

But V6A, a brand-new condo development going up on the edge of Chinatown in Strathcona, manages to stake out the perfect middle ground by melding homey heritage style with modern convenience — and without breaking the bank.

Real estate junkies are sure to descend in hordes on this soon-to-be-released gem, especially since 40 of its 128 units are priced under $400,000.

“The main attraction is its unique location, being so close to downtown, Gastown, Chinatown and Southeast False Creek,” says Chris Evans, executive vice-president of V6A developer Onni Group. “A lot of people are interested in this because it’s in an area of growth. Vancouver‘s moving east.”

The first thing to strike this writer upon walking into the display suite was the natural finish and beautiful grain of the engineered oak floors — an upgrade from the standard wood laminate, it looks too fabulous to pass up.

Beyond that, the standard package doesn’t miss a beat.

Dual colour schemes — named for the building’s vantage point at Main and Union — soothe the senses with warm brown and creamy white tones.

Main is the lighter theme of the two, its stained-teak cabinetry casting the kitchen in an orangey glow, while Union is a touch darker, with a greyish walnut façade.

The open floor plan is framed by the linear kitchen, which takes up the longest wall, and perpendicular to that, floor-to-ceiling windows look out on an attractive, spacious balcony. “Most units come with decks of approximately 75 square feet,” says Evans.

Depending on the unit, views will survey either South Main Street, Southeast False Creek or the North Shore mountains.

Brick masonry will cover the shell of the cement-construction building up to the seventh floor, while the top two floors of penthouses will enjoy an all-glass exterior.

“The architecture responds to being in a heritage district, but at the same time it has a very modern feel,” says Evans.

Kitchen afficionados will revel in the sight of the elongated rectangular undermounted sink, white stone-composite countertops, an elegant marble tile backsplash, and built-in high-end appliances, including a covert dishwasher.

“The overheight cabinets go right to the roof to make the most of the space,” Evans explains, pointing out their soft-close feature.

While the lower bank of cabinets automatically comes in all wood, buyers can choose to match their uppers in the same or, for a more contemporary look, have them done in a bright, high-gloss white finish. The contrast of the latter option offers a great way to ease back on exhibiting too much wood, while giving the floor back to . . . well, the floor.

The bedroom can either be a cozy enclosure or a kick-back-and-lounge area contributing to the space’s lofty feel, thanks to smartly installed retractable glass walls.

The boudoir is also precisely measured to fit a queen-size bed and side tables, with a giant double closet running the entire length of the longest wall. “You’re going to be able to live and entertain here, even in the smaller units,” Evans says.

Oversized bathrooms are the surest giveaway V6A isn’t actually a heritage building, but then residents will hardly mind that. One-bedroom buyers will have the option of a tub or walk-in shower, while most two-bedroom owners will get both.

White stone counters complement the near-matching ceramic of the undermounted sink, emanating a distinctly spa-like sense of luxury. Plus, there’s a dual-flush toilet, more drawer and storage space than any diva could ask for, and chic porcelain tile floors.

If you’re a bit iffy on the neighbourhood — it is, after all, only four blocks from Main and Hastings — have no fear: Onni has seen to it the building will have two parkade gates, a full-time evening security guard, and a long list of other high-tech security features to put your mind at ease.

Sales start at the end of June and move-ins get going at the end of 2009, just in time for the Olympics, so beat a path to the presentation centre or register online if you want a secure a spot in the sales line.

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THE FACTS

What: V6A, a 128-

unit, nine-storey condo midrise.

Where: 221 Union St., Vancouver.

Developer: Onni Group

Sizes: One-bedroom or one-bedroom-plus-den all the way up to three bedroom, from 630 sq. ft. to 1,335 sq. ft.

Prices: $336,900 to $999,900

Open: Presentation centre and display suite open now from 12 to 6 p.m. Saturday to Thursday at 1829 Quebec St.

More Information: www.onni.com

© The Vancouver Province 2008

 

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