Sun
CREDIT: Mark van Manen, Vancouver Sun (Azure II at Plaza 8)
CREDIT: Mark van Manen, Vancouver Sun (Azure II at Plaza 8)
CREDIT: Mark van Manen, Vancouver Sun Signals of New Westminster’s ‘open-door policy’ and their company’s evolution, the presentation centre model of the two Azure towers now under construction clearly delight Mike and Patricia Degelder (left).
AZURE II AT PLAZA 88
Presentation Centre: 901 Columbia, New Westminster
Hours: Noon – 5 p.m., Sat – Thu
Telephone: 604-519-9188
Developer: Degelder Group and Charter Pacific
Architect: Stantech Architecture
Interior: Jane McCutcheon and Associates
Project size: 200 apartments, 23 storeys
Residence size: 600 sq. ft. – 1,240 sq. ft.
Prices: $225,000 – $462,000
Warranty: TBA
Architect: Stantech Architecture
Interior: Jane McCutcheon and Associates
Developer: Charter Pacific and Degelder Group
Mike and Patricia Degelder run a general contracting company that has been building development projects in B.C. since 1982.
Past work includes the Presido in Vancouver‘s West End and the Paloma in Richmond.
They branched off into developing property after seeing an opportunity in 1999 in New Westminster. They purchased 822 Carnarvon St., with the ultimate goal of acquiring all of the properties surrounded by Columbia, Carnarvon, Eighth and 10th Street, which they have now achieved giving them a total of 5.3 acres of prime real estate.
“What attracted us to the property is the 5.3 acres property tied into the [New Westminster] Skytrain and bus route,” says Mike. “The new Westminster skytrain station and the McNeely Street bus loop are located at the East end of the site with escalator and elevator access to the ticket and train platform from Eighth Street and McNeely Street.”
Their plan is to develop a large mixed-used development project, where buyers of their condos can utilize the easily accessed public transportation system.
Mike Degelder also credits the city of New Westminster for helping to turn their dream for the area into a reality:
“Over the last few years, the mayor and council have been able to attract developments to this unique and oldest city in B.C. through an open door policy and by maintaining its policy of having the lowest cost and fastest development approval process in the [Lower Mainland].”
The city has given approval for the Degelder Group and Charter Pacific Developments, which is marketing the project, to build three concrete residential towers, all about 300 feet tall.
The first tower, simply called Azure, sold out even before any wide marketing was done. The second tower, Azure II, is 50-per-cent sold after only a few weeks of selling.
The residential units are on 23 floors overtop of eight levels of parking. There are also plans to create a retail component at street level. The lowest residential floor is at the 10th floor, ensuring all suites benefit from a view.
One unique aspect of the project is the development company will be creating an elevated street from the Skytrain ticket platform at New Westminster. This means homeowners will have the convenience of walking directly from the Skytrain station to the residential building, stopping along the way if they desire to shop for groceries, buy flowers or visit a liquor store for instance.
Construction on the first two towers begin in January with an expected completion date for Azure II for fall of 2007.
Mike notes since all of the residences are on the 10th floor and above, all of the suites will have some kind of view — whether it is looking to the north mountains or south to the Fraser River.
A rarely seen upgrade is the air conditioning. For $2,500 the builder will rough in space for an air-conditioning unit. For between $8,844 and $12,430, the charge dependent on the size on the home, the builder will install a unit.
Kitchen features include stainless steel appliances, granite countertops and porcelain floor tiles. The oven, dishwasher and washer/dryer are from Frigidaire; the refrigerator, Maytag; and the microwave, Panasonic. Azure bathrooms feature soaker tubs, over-sized floor tiles and granite countertops with fixtures from Kohler/Sterline and Delta.
© The Vancouver Sun 2005