Sophia - 298 E. 11th Ave. - Building & Condo Information

Project: 81 one-and two-bedroom condos and townhomes in an eight-storey building

Location: 298 E. 11th Ave., Vancouver

Architect: Linda Baker Architect Inc.

Size range: 660 - 1,300 sq. ft.

Phone: 604-453-660

Hours: 1 - 6 p.m., Mon - Thurs; noon - 5 p.m., Sat and Sun

Website: sophialiving.com

Occupancy: October

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First-time homebuyer Kristin Gray considered backing out of her contract to purchase a residence in the upscale Sophia building when the project ran into financial difficulties earlier this year, but ultimately opted not to -- in large part because of where it is.

The 23-year-old had bought her one-bedroom fifth-floor condo in November of 2007, just weeks before the Sophia project fell into receivership after the Eden Group development company halted construction on the project, citing labour costs, municipal strike delays and contractors who had abandoned the job as contributors to some $4 million in cost overruns.

At the time, 77 of the 81 units -- Sophia is comprised of 75 condominiums and six townhomes -- had been purchased in advance sales. When construction resumed, those purchasers were given a choice by the court-appointed receiver: they could either take their deposits and walk away, or they could accept the terms of new agreements that would see them pay 90 per cent of the assessed market value of their homes.

"For a while, I did consider cancelling my presale contract and getting my money back," says Gray, who was instrumental to forming a purchasers' group that assembled to address buyers' joint concerns.

In the end, the university student and accountant opted to stick with her contract -- her price adjustment saw her pay approximately $******* on top of an initial purchase price of about $******* -- primarily because of Sophia's location.

"I bought at Sophia because of location, location, location," says Gray of the building, which is located in the 200 block of East 11th Avenue, just east of a stretch of Main that's become an increasingly popular neighbourhood where funky cafes and designer clothing stores sit next to established antique shops and Chinese eateries.

"I work downtown and go to school at UBC and Sophia is 10 minutes away from both. Plus, the culture -- shops, restaurants, pubs, etcetera -- on Main Street is unbeatable ... I looked at buying downtown, but for a first-time buyer, the amount I would need to spend to get a decently sized unit (over 500 square feet) was just not possible."

Of the initial Sophia purchasers, some 37 did walk away from their contracts, reports Doug Chivers, a representative of the Bowra Group, receiver for Sophia, adding that most of those were investors. But the bulk of early buyers who had bought into the project -- not as investors, but as individuals who intended to make the Sophia units their homes -- stuck with their purchase plans. That doesn't surprise Michael Sikich.

"You're getting a product that's been improved, at a great location, with outstanding views," says Sikich, president of The Agency, which is marketing the remaining homes. "It is such a fabulous product at a fabulous location."

Thirty-three of the homes in the eight-storey Sophia building are still available and selling at approximately $*** a square foot, or about $*** a square foot more than the original asking price, says Chivers.

And that, says Sikich, represents "very, very good value in today's market."

"If people go and shop the neighbourhoods ... we're a couple of hundred dollars [a square foot] cheaper than being downtown," he says. "You look at everything else that's being offered out there, for location, for its finishing level, for its occupancy - now people are going to be able to move in within the next two or three months - this is definitely an advantage to people."

Sophia is located within a quick drive of the downtown core, is situated on major transit corridors, and will offer some stunning city views to residents when they take up residency in the fall, says Sikich.

"I don't think people realize how hot this location is, and particularly the views," he says. "We get outstanding views, basically, from our third floor and up - sweeping views of the mountains and the city; it's quite spectacular.

"We recently had a visitor from Toronto that we're working with to purchase a unit and he was telling us that you just don't get these kinds of views in Toronto. He said: 'I cannot believe how beautiful the view is from this location.'"

The Sophia homes -- all with balconies, all with electric fireplaces, all with gas ranges and granite countertops -- may have the same outlook envisioned by the developer, but there have been some improvements and upgrades. "There were things that needed to be repaired ... to ensure the building was up to a very high standard," reports Chivers, adding that a high-end Kohler fixture package, which was not among the original finishes, has now been installed in the residences.

As well, the Bowra Group has arranged to provide purchasers with homeowner protection through the National Home Warranty's 2-5-10 program, time-limited coverage for everything from defects in materials and labour to the building's structure.

"Also, we have signed up for the ... National Quality Assurance Program," says Chivers. "Prior to turning over a unit to a purchaser, National will complete a unit inspection and will identify any defects or deficiencies to repaired or completed prior to occupancy of unit."

So far, says Sikich, there has been a diversity of buyers, representing everything from young professionals to "older couples that are downsizing."

"We're getting quite a healthy mix of people," he says. "We're actually quite pleased with that, and I think that diversity will continue to help the environment in the building."

Chivers says the presale purchasers who have stuck with their contracts have demonstrated great patience throughout the delays in the building of their new homes, but are now greatly relieved knowing that an occupancy date is in sight.

And the fact that they agreed to pay an additional sum for their homes - that amount would have varied, he says, depending on the size of unit and date of purchase - says much about their confidence in the project and their desire to live here.

"A big part of that was being able to get National Home Warranty involved and on board so that the 2-5-10 warranty is in place," Chivers says. "And you've got a lot of people that do like the building. I mean, this is an attractive location, it's an attractive space, and they're looking for somewhere to live, and this is the place that they want to do it."

As for Kristin Gray, who is now poised to take up residency in her new home -- some nine or 10 months later than she'd originally expected -- the looming moving day is becoming more than a little exciting.

"I am beginning to get excited again," she says. "... Moving into your first new place is a major milestone in life. Even after many months of waiting anxiously, I know that the Sophia is going to be a great place to live."