Reclaimed Stanley Park trees used in ceiling
LENA SIN
Province
The kitchen features glossy two-tone cabinets in white and charcoal at the Gateway North Shore condo development, opposite Capilano Mall in North Vancouver. Photograph by: Wayne Leidenfrost, The Province
There’s little doubt that the pièce de résistance of the Gateway North Shore development is the stunning wood-clad ceiling made from reclaimed Stanley Park trees.
Sweeping fan-shaped across the circular dining and living room, it’s hard to believe this is not a custom-built apartment, but a new development on the North Shore.
“It’s so architecturally pleasing,” muses realtor Nicole Castle. “I’ve done 50 projects in the last 15 years and this is the one I’ve been most excited about.”
As a new generation of design-savvy home buyers demand more and more in terms of interior and architectural appeal, developers are having to up the design-quotient without breaking the bank.
In the case of Gateway North Shore, Triman Developments completely exceeded expectations without losing sight of affordability.
“Affordability is so important. You don’t get a second chance in this market,” said Castle, of D’Ovidio Associates, which is handling the sales and marketing.
The smallest unit, at a surprisingly spacious 777 sq. ft., starts at $374,900 while the biggest unit, at 940 sq. ft., starts at $429,900.
As of last Wednesday, 11 of the 21 units were still available.
All the units feature two bedrooms plus den — an unusual layout for today’s market where developers
are going smaller to target the first-time home buyer and keep prices low.
Gateway has bucked the trend, seeing a demand from young families and downsizing baby- boomers, not to mention young professionals who’ve simply
outgrown their one-bedroom pads.
“They’re still affordable and they used the square footage really well. So even if they are smaller units, they still fit in two bedrooms for those young people maybe starting a family or two adults,” says Castle.
Gateway North Shore is located at the intersection of Marine Drive and Hamilton Avenue in North Vancouver. It’s within walking distance to spas, restaurants, transit and across from Capilano Mall, while still close to plenty of hiking and biking.
The four-storey concrete and wood-framed building is move-in ready. Castle explains that Triman, an Alberta-based developer, prefers to sell buildings upon completion so buyers know what they’re getting.
The principals behind Triman are Harold Sicherman and Richard Berman. Sicherman has been in the real estate industry since 1975, with experience developing in B.C., Alberta and Scottsdale, Ariz., while Berman started out converting
heritage buildings in downtown Calgary into new developments.
“[Harold’s] always prided himself on doing one project at a time so he can be really hands-on. That’s why you see all the details. It’s do it right or don’t do it at all,” says Castle.
Although only six of the 21 units feature the Stanley Park wood-clad ceiling, all of the suites feature smooth, flat-painted ceilings. It appears to be a small detail, but most developers would flat-out reject the idea because of
the tremendous cost and work involved.
Other details include motion-activated ambient lighting from underneath the bathroom vanity and built-in cubby holes for shampoo and soap bottles above the bathtub.
To get away from cookie-cutter kitchens, the cabinets are two-tone: Glossy white on top and dark charcoal on the bottom.
All the windows are double-glazed and thermally engineered, while the window blinds are Hunter Douglas — with blackouts in the bedrooms.
“It’s a landmark building with the circular ceiling and Stanley Park roof. The floor plans are all different — it’s only 21 units. The flat roofs and Hunter Douglas blinds — those kinds of touches I haven’t seen anywhere,” said Castle.
The facts
What: Gateway North Shore,
21 condos
Where: 935 W. 16th Street, North Vancouver
Builder/Developer: Triman Developments
Sizes: Two bedrooms plus den, from 777 sq. ft. to 940 sq. ft.
Prices: Starting at $374,900 for 777 and 784 sq. ft; starting at $389,900 for 833 sq. ft.; starting at $409,900 for 878 and 882 sq. ft.; starting at $429,900 for 869 and 940 sq. ft.
Open: Presentation centre and show homes open 12 p.m. to
5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday;
1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Thursday at 935 W 16th St.
More info: www.gatewayliving.ca
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