Sun
The Plaza 88 partners now are selling homes in the third Plaza 88 tower, the 36-storey Marinus. Their first customers, or their tenants, have now moved in to Azure I and Azure II. Once the fourth tower is erected, Plaza 88 will be a new-home community of about 900 households. Photograph by: Photos By Ward Perrin, PNG, Special To The
In a home in the sky, and the Marinus penthouse in New Westminster is definitely that, a quiet soak or a quick shower can be a light-filled experienced. So could a night’s sleep, for those who prefer their window coverings open.
Colin Chin, the man at the model and an organizer of the Plaza 88 sales and marketing campaign, has an understanding of the location imperative in the sale and purchase of real estate that reflects his years of multi-residence sales. ‘The big defining difference of any condo is what’s outside the window and what’s directly outside – or in this case, right downstairs,’ he says. The Fraser River, shopping and entertaining attractions, and a Sky Train stop are on the building’s doorstep. WARD PERRIN / PNG
Marinus at Plaza 88
Project location: 888 Carnarvon, New Westminster
Project size: 256 condos in a 36-storey mixed-use tower
Residence size: One-bedroom plus den, 631 sq. ft.; two-bedroom, 779– 817 sq. ft.; and two-bedroom plus den, 1,152 sq. ft.
Prices: $335,900 (one-bedroom and den) — $536,900 (two-bedroom and den)
Developer: Degelder Group and Charter Pacific Developments
Architect: Via Architecture
Interior Design: McCutcheon Design Group Inc.
Sales centre: 901 Columbia St.
Hours: noon — 5 p.m., Sat — Thur
Telephone: Colin Chin, sales manager, 604-683-6128
Web: www.marinusliving.com
Occupancy: Immediately; fourth Plaza 88 tower yet to be constructed
By Mary Frances Hill
When Colin Chin walks through the parking area at the Marinus at Plaza 88 condominium project, he sees a lot that’s 90 per cent empty. And that tells the Marinus sales manager something: that the New Westminster project has achieved its original design vision and become a model of sustainable living.
In other cities, and in other residential developments, that parking lot might be full, says Chin. “But I know many of these owners don’t drive, or at least don’t drive to work.”
Mike Degelder of the Degelder Group first envisioned Plaza 88 some 20 years ago as a project that would incorporate sustainable living and be unique in North America.
Charter Pacific Developments joined Degelder in 2005, and in 2006, the partners acquired the first of many building permits.
“We’re trying to alleviate transportation [and] go green in the grand scheme of things,” says Chin. “It’s sustainable, and it’s the concept for the future.”
Two of Plaza 88’s four towers are now occupied: Azure I and Azure II, both mixed-use 32-storey towers. Marinus, with 256 residences spread over 26 of its 36 storeys, represents the third phase of the project. Once the final tower is erected, the development will be a village unto itself, with some 900 residential units and about 180,000 square feet of retail and commercial space. But Marinus also represents something else: it is the tallest residential and commercial building in Greater Vancouver outside of downtown Vancouver.
A resident of a Marinus condominium can walk downstairs to the New Westminster SkyTrain station, and then head to work downtown. After returning home from a busy workday, that resident will be able to purchase dinner-makings at a nearby grocery, then head to a movie or a gym. All of this — access to shops, transit, and fitness and entertainment facilities — is but an elevator ride away.
When construction is complete, Marinus will incorporate the SkyTrain station; a protective sound barrier will shield residents from the noise of the trains. Commercial space will include a Shoppers Drug Mart, a grocery store and a 10-theatre cinema complex.
“There is no excuse not to come home with milk any more because it’s right across the SkyTrain track,” Chin says. “[This kind of development] allows people more flexibility.”
The most affordable two-bedroom unit measures 880 square feet, has views of the Fraser, and is priced at $382,900. The lowest-priced one-bedroom unit is priced at $335,900. In many suites, the views of the river and the New Westminster Quay’s commercial hub are all-encompassing, and the layout of each suite is designed to take advantage of the vistas. In any of the view suites, an open-plan kitchen looks out to the dining area, which in turn opens up to a bright, carpeted living room with a fireplace, oversized window and balcony. (Buyers can upgrade to engineered hardwood throughout the suites).
Luxury features include a granite slab countertops in the kitchen and bathroom, mosaic tile backsplash, stainless-steel appliances and wood-grain cabinets in the kitchen. There is imported porcelain tile flooring in the entryway and kitchen, and there are double sinks and soaker tubs in the washroom. All units are wired for Internet in their living rooms, den and bedrooms.
As well, those buyers who accept an an unassigned parking space — as opposed to a reserved spot — will see the price of their units reduced by $10,000.
Plaza 88 has been a long gig for realtor Chin. While watching the project grow and supervising the sales of his suites, he’s seen his kids grow up. He and his family have bought new homes in the development, and he’s been schooled in the politics of negotiations with six land owners and the city of New Westminster through various incarnations of its city council. While Shoppers is already on board as a tenant, Chin says he’s confident that the development’s size and proximity to transit will make it a magnet for more retailers and residents.
“The big defining difference of any condo is what’s outside the window and what’s directly outside — or in this case, right downstairs.”
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