Where old and new intersect
Sun
The eight-residence Quebec Corner project is the biggest undertaking by its developer, Summit Development, in the company’s eight years. The architect is b2architecture inc.
Quebec Corner Project location:
Vancouver Project size: 9 townhouses Residence size: 854 sq. ft. – 1,269
sq. ft. Prices: $ 538,900 – $ 739,900 Sales centre: 3086 Quebec, Vancouver Hours: 2 – 5 p. m. Sat – Sun; weekdays by appointment Telephone: 604-805-1804 E-mail:
chris. lotoski@ macrealestate. ca Web: quebeccorner. com Developer: Summit Development Architect: b2architecture inc. Interior: Christina Oberti Interior
Design Occupancy:
Mount Pleasant,
Immediate h e Q u e b e c C o r n e r townhouse project is the latest marker of change in the Vancouver neighbourhood of Mount Pleasant.
The neighbourhood is primarily composed of single-family, Arts and Crafts or Craftsman homes.
But to view the nine Quebec Corner residences, located one block west of Main, on Quebec at 15th Avenue, you might conclude that the look of future for the neighbourhood might be modern contemporary.
“I think the demographic of Main Street is a young, hip, urban demographic. They are drawn to contemporary design,” says Ian Doddington, chief executive officer of Summit Development.
“I believe this is the first of many to come [ contemporary buildings] to this area. It’s a very young, eclectic experience along Main Street and these buyers aren’t interested in buying an Arts and Crafts home.”
The developer started Summit eight years ago and has been developing mostly three and four-plexes on the west side of Vancouver on infill lots. Quebec Corner is the largest multi-family infill project the company has built.
Doddington acquired the site and tore down an older fourplex to build the nine townhomes, three of which are sold.
Although this particular area in Mount Pleasant does have older, multi-family apartments nearby, Quebec Corner does stand out for its stylish design. The striking architecture, by b2architecture inc., is sleek and modern with large windows, metal balcony railings and an attractive wood soffit. The garden suite apartment on the south side has two generous size outdoor areas behind a contemporary wood slat gate.
“I think people welcome an option to living in a stereotypical condo tower where it’s very anonymous with no sense of community,” says Doddington, pointing out he lived for five years in a Yaletown condo tower without ever having met his neighbours.
Quebec Corner, with its selfmanaged strata, will likely result in homeowners getting to know one another and having more pride of ownership, he says, adding strata fees are low and range from $ 140 to $ 200 a month.
The homes themselves are selling from $ 538,900 to $ 739,900 and are located on a quiet residential street. So while there are literally hundreds of shops, restaurants and other services nearby there’s no serious traffic outside the homes, says Doddington.
“ It’s almost a Yaletown experience [ in the neighbourhood] here because of all the amenities on Main Street,” he says.
The interiors of the homes also mimic a high-end Yaletown condo, with wenge kitchen custom cabinetry, glass tile backsplash, double thick, quartz countertops with breakfast bar and stainless steel appliances.
Flooring on the main is real bamboo hardwood, while the rest of the homes are carpeted, except for the bathrooms, entryway and laundry area which have large format — 12 by 24 inches — porcelain tile.
The master bedroom has quartz countertops in the ensuite and radiant infloor heating. Most of the homes have nine-foot ceilings and in some cases vaulted ceilings and skylights.
When the Vancouver neighbourhood of Mount Pleasant was young, the trans-Atlantic predecessors of today’s townhouses were anything but the open-plan shafts of natural light and ventilation in which the Quebec Corner households will reside.
One other attribute of today’s townhouse is nicely demonstrated in the Quebec Corner show home: In putting nine homes where there were once four every cubic — not square — inch of the replacement space matters. From cook-top to table top, from drinks before dinner to dining table, from garage down to bedrooms up, economy of movement is paramount. An example of the economies of space that a household can undertake is found on the bedroom floor. The second bedroom is a guest bedroom and home office. The scene outside the master bedroom speaks of Mountain Pleasant’s detached-home past.
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