Imperial a South Surrey family affair
Mary Frances Hill
The Province
Imperial
Project location: 15633 Mountain View Dr., Surrey
Project scope: 87 four- and five-bedroom three-level townhomes on six acres. Close to Morgan Crossing shopping centre, the new Grandview Heights Aquatic Centre, and several golf courses
Residence sizes and prices: Homes range from 2,000 to 2.577 sq. ft from $850,000
Developer and builder: T.M. Crest Homes
Sales centre: 15633 Mountain View Dr., Surrey
Hours: noon — 6 p.m., Sat — Thurs
When the new residents move into their spacious homes at Imperial, T.M. Crest’s South Surrey townhome project, they can be assured the development was built on a foundation of strong family bonds and a shared lifetime of expertise in construction and design.
As an entrepreneurial developer, Tina Banwait’s father put the family to work on construction sites when she and her siblings were growing up, experience that gave them the confidence to build and promote T.M. Crest’s multi-family communities. Banwait, one of four siblings of the Samra family, has also applied her skills to the design and decor of the display units at Imperial.
Banwait notes that keeping work life separate from their close personal connections — the siblings have several children, ranging in age from 11 months to six years — is central to the success of T.M. Crest.
“Working with family is a privilege,” she says. “We find it easy to disagree with each other, as feedback and open communication is key when creating and executing a project.”
She gives credit the fact that each sibling recognizes and respects the specific skills that each brings to the projects. “The collaboration between [our] differing but relevant experiences and educations create the synergies which allow us to keep so much of our projects in-house.”
No doubt growing up in a large family gave Banwait an advantage as she planned the layout and decor of Imperial’s Surrey presentation units.
Banwait says the team is most proud of the flexibility of the open space the homes offer.
“Our goal for Imperial was to create homes that do not compromise on open space,” she says. She enhanced the spacious feel by decorating in calm, light neutrals, and allowing natural light to be her guide.
“[One display unit’s] main floor room was set up as a playroom: as a mom, it is important to have a space where the kids can play and learn while still being close to your main living areas.”
Banwait says the layout, displayed in a cross-section rendering and via the two display units, always gets a good reaction from visiting families. Every visitor is eager to offer their perspectives on what they need and want in a home, she says.
“Older children love the size of the rooms as they’d have a place to store all their belongings and even fit in a desk if needed. Husbands mention the benefits of having an open-concept theatre and bar area directly connected to the yard and the extended walkway and green space.”
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