Attention to natural surroundings, innovative transportation options, key to new Burnaby community
ODIE WARREN
The Vancouver Sun
Ledingham McAllister’s commitment to building sustainable communities in Burnaby continues with Seasons, its 101-unit development at Broadway west of Holdom Avenue.
While many developments these days are marketed as ‘green’ initiatives, Ledingham McAllister truly ‘walks the talk’ with this new eco-oriented community, from offering innovative transportation options to an extensive landscaping plan that strives to provide far more than a merely esthetic purpose.
“Ledingham McAllister has always demonstrated a really strong commitment to the city and citizens of Burnaby as evidenced by the thousands of homes we have built here. Anything we can incorporate into our communities to help our homeowners live with more environmental consciousness is a positive for Burnaby and our company as a whole, ” says Manuela Mirecki, Ledingham McAllister’s senior vice-president of marketing and design.
Among the reasons the veteran development company chose the site was its proximity to the Holdom SkyTrain Station and other public transit, and it is hoping to encourage Seasons residents to utilize it as much as possible through a program that provides a transit subsidy to every household. Each home will also be equipped with a Seasons commuter bicycle. “Seasons is ideally situated to take advantage of the Central Valley Greenway, an incredible urban bike trail system that connects Burnaby to Vancouver, New Westminster and the Tri-Cities,” notes Mirecki. “I am not aware of any other developers in the area who have actively encouraged use of this network by providing homeowners with a high-quality, urban commuter bicycle. It seemed like a natural thing to do and the City of Burnaby was very supportive of this initiative.”
Marketing material for Seasons lays out a comprehensive plan for the landscaping surrounding the community. It includes the planting of 200 new trees, 3,000-plus new plants and 1,367 new ground coverings. Specific attention is being paid to addressing dwindling bee populations, with 400 Dull Oregon Grape plants, California lilac bushes and rhododendrons (the latter being the official flower of Burnaby) being planted specifically to attract bumblebees. Mature trees will also be retained, including maple trees (57 of them in total) that will nourish the bees in the springtime. Also in the spring, songbirds will flock to the fruit of the numerous Kousa dogwoods, and majestic mature Emerald cedars will help to keep the grounds green year-round.
“Ledingham McAllister always makes a very strong effort to adding as much living greenery as possible to all of our communities,” says Mirecki. “Not only does it add greatly to the esthetic-value of one’s home, it is one of the most effective ways to produce clean air in an urban setting. Landscaping is nature’s air filter! We encourage prospective homeowners to drive by any of our past communities for proof of how serious we are in this matter. Lush landscaping is a definite priority for us.”
The commitment to natural surroundings does not come at the cost of easy access to urban amenities. A quick stroll will take you to the recently redesigned Brentwood Town Centre or to the many shops, services, and restaurants of Burnaby Heights. World-class post-secondary education – BCIT and Simon Fraser University – are justminutes awaybypublic transit and the area also boasts excellent elementary and high schools that are within easy walking distance. For a taste of the great outdoors, residents can hop on their Seasons bicycles to easily connect to an extensive urban trail network.
The homes in Seasons come in one-bedroom-plus-den, two-bedroom, two bedroom-plus-den configurations as well as townhomes, and range in size from 641 to 1,053 square feet. An open-concept design is aimed at maximizing light and the natural flow of living and the homes come with a host of stylish, quality features that you would expect in a Ledingham McAllister community, including premium, full-sized appliances, Kohler fixtures, quartz counter top sand laminate, wood-finish flooring.
Previews for Seasons will take place between Oct. 15 and 22 at the presentation centre at 1710 Gilmore Avenue in Burnaby. For more information and to register, visit: ledmac.com/seasons, or call 604-568-6888.
Founded in 1984, Ledingham McAllister has built more than 10,000 homes since its inception. Guiding each and every project it undertakes is a commitment to exacting standards of design, engineering and construction to ensure that every home it builds is of enduring quality and value. The company’s particular focus on Burnaby, saysMirecki, isduetothe city’s “ideal location for balance and quality of life.
“We are proud to be able to state that no other developer has built as many homes in Burnaby as we have,” she says, noting that many of the company’s staff hail from Burnaby, giving it a unique perspective and knowledge when it comes to location selection and buyer needs.
For more information on Ledingham McAllister and its communities, visit: www.ledmac.com.
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