Jeani Read
Province
CREDIT: Jason Payne, The Province The homes of The News aren’t big, but they have big-city sleekness and have space-stretching layouts
CREDIT: Jason Payne, The Province The homes of The News aren’t big, but they have big-city sleekness and have space-stretching layouts.
CREDIT: Jason Payne, The Province The homes of The News aren’t big, but they have big-city sleekness and have space-stretching layouts.
The good news is The News is a great new development in a great new spot in New Westminster. The bad news is the first two phases are 80 per cent sold out.
Of all the ‘burbs around Vancouver, New Westminster has been pretty well last off the mark when it comes to new development. Prices reflect that, so the astonishing early-promotion starting price of $168,900 (still emblazoned on the presentation centre wall) for one-bedroom condos and $223,900 for two-bedrooms at The News seems impossible. Granted, those have been snapped up, but the remaining units are still brilliantly priced. .
We really like New West these days. The city fathers are seriously behind the revival of the town, with the mayor recently announcing improvement going on around the waterfront — more or less The News’ neighbourhood.
The News is situated on a lovely south-facing slope just above the waterfront, with views that look pretty lovely all around, especially toward the river.
It’s not the only development in this little area: Generations, River Vista and Belmondo are some of the others right in the same area, which bodes really well for a lively, thriving urban environment in the future.
Maybe it will lead to the perking up of the Quay, too, which has always had so much potential but has never really got off the ground. The young, professional first-time buyers flocking to The News and the other developments here will probably make it so.
As it stands, The News is a block and a half from a SkyTrain station, a spit away from Douglas College and close to Columbia Square shopping plaza and a lot of other necessities such as a Keg, Spaghetti Factory, sushi places and a Starbucks — so your emergency needs are taken care of.
The dollhouse model for The News reveals a gracious plan, two towers, lots of landscaping, a group of townhomes. And last but not least, the style and finishings of the homes are city-sleek and smart. No, they’re not big. Yes, they are cool and well-appointed.
With space-stretchers such as computer nooks, oversize patios and, in the two-bedroom display suite, a big walk-through closet, the open plans are compact but totally liveable.
Gated parking, storage lockers and wiring for high-speed Internet access are standard, as is the stainless appliance package.
Add an upgrade or two — frosted cabinetry and granite counters in the kitchen — and call it home.
The third phase of The News? Mark your calendars: October.
Five Fab Features
– The prices. Great.
– The views. Who knew?
– A new neighbourhood. Be the first on your block to — well, to live on your block. In style.
– Great landscaping. A private park in a town of parks.
– The commute. We’ve said this before, but New West is our favourite commute. No bridges
or tunnels, easy roads into
Vancouver.
And in the other direction, it’s a big head start into the rest of the valley. Perfecto.
QUICK FACTS
WHAT: The News is 224 condominiums and six townhomes (in the first two phases) in New Westminster.
WHERE: Agnes Street between Blackie and Mcinnes, New Westminster.
DEVELOPED BY: Rykon Group.
SIZES: 560 sq.ft-1,152 sq.ft. (townhome).
PRICES: $182,900-$339,900 (townhome).
Open: Noon to 5 P.M., 8095 Agnes Street, 604-526-8322.
© The Vancouver Province 2005