Bringing up baby in 'hip' location the H+H offer

Vancouver Sun, March 18th, 2006

At 16 floors, the high-rise component of the Homer + Helmcken building is not particularly tall. At eight floors consisting of six floors of apartments above two-floor townhouses, the low-rise, or base, component, is tall, however. The "Robinson Tower" at Richards and Helmcken, just across the lane from H+H, climbs 17 floors, but only from a short base or "townhouse podium," in the words of a city hall document the compares developments around the H+H project. The office building at the northwest corner of Homer and Helmcken, across the street from H+H rises six floors. The "City Crest Tower" at Homer and Davie, H+H's next-door neighbour, rises 29 floors, but again only from a short base. (City hall asked the Chandler development company to improve that part of the H+H wall that rises two floors above the "City Crest" base.) "Relative to the developments you're seeing in today's downtown marketplace, this is not a typical development," comments Tracie McTavish of Rennie Marketing Systems, which is selling the H+H project on behalf of the Chandler development company. "It is not your standard vertical tower with a typical floor-plate that repeats from, say, the second or third floors up to the 30th floor." By forgoing all those floor-plate repetitions, the development company surrenders construction economies. But it also gains market reach. "It does offer the consumer far more opportunities and variety in floor-plans," McTavish observes. "And that's a big plus." About 2,000 people, as of last week, had registered their interest in a new-home project of fewer than 200 homes, The "grand opening" today of the sales centre on Richards Street could find the Rennie sales people doing less selling and more taking orders.

Unique presentation centre tells consumers what is available New-home-project novelty The Homer + Helmcken presentation centre on Richards Street is a new-home-project novelty (until someone says otherwise).

TWO COMPLETED HOMES It's designed around two kitchens and their matching bathrooms, a presentation that has not been done before. In Tracie McTavish's memory. Two completed homes in a presentation centre have been not before, of course. Grace Kwok, the pioneer of the new-home pre-sell, and the Pinnacle development company installed two homes in the Esplanade presentation centre in North Vancouver, for example. One of the younger development companies locally, Mosaic, is selling its Shoreline townhouses in Pitt Meadows from three show homes.

KITCHENS THAT ARE VERY DIFFERENT The two-kitchen, two-bath presentation in the H+H sales centre is to demonstrate an unusual component of the H+H product: The kitchens are very different in all their parts, not just in their dark and light colour schemes. Their cabinetry is different; their counter tops are different; the appliance packages are different. For example, the "cool Manhattan" comes with "Shaker-style" cabinetry, meaning the doors consist of a panel framed by stiles and rails. The "warm Santa Monica" scheme (this page) comes with doors that consist of an unframed panel.

BUYERS CAN 'MAKE SOME DECISIONS' "It's a different way to describe to consumers what's available to them in the purchasing process," McTavish comments. " ...they are interchangeable to a certain extent. It is an upgrade in other projects. We didn't wan to do upgrades; we just felt buyers deserve an opportunity to make some decisions."

 The variety of homes available - the number of floor-plans approaches 20 - is certainly one reason for the strong interest in the project. The size of some of the homes is probably another. There are 85 two-bedroom or two-bedroom-plus homes. The apartments range from about 800 square feet to about 900 square feet. The townhouses average around 1,200 square feet. The building's location is probably another. Residents of the homes above Homer and Helmcken streets will enjoy protected views to the east, cross the "heritage" warehouses of Yaletown whose heights can be increased, but not much. "It puts you on a kind of a perch," McTavish says of the building's location, across Homer Street from the "western" boundary of the official Yaletown heritage neighbourhood. So, who will be enjoying those views from the H+H building? Families, moms 'n' dads and their modern-Canada equivalents and their children, are expectation at city hall and at the Chandler development company. "The building is located near local parks and... Elsie Roy elementary school... making it an attractive address for families with children," the social planning department comments.

One of the amenities Chandler will include in the building is a children's playground in one of the two rooftop gardens. City hall, while applauding, also asked Chandler to include a washroom near the playground. "You're allowed to be hip when you're 35 years old with a three-year-old. That's a good thing, a very, very good thing," McTavish says. Rare will be the H+H family that has to walk the downtown streets between motor vehicle and apartment. Secure parking will be available underground, in 223 stalls. Can Chandler do H+H on time and on budget, the question every new-home shopper should be asking these days of multiple-residential sales staff. There are no guarantees in life, of course. Here's Tracie McTavish's answer.

"The common thread in the majority of our meetings, with all of our developers, are constructions costs, where are they, where are they going...? "The developers are recognizing the challenges ahead, be it cost increases, a lack of trades, and are factoring a stumble into their equations. "I would argue that two or three years ago it wasn't expected, it wasn't planned for. And I think some developers probably got caught. The standard was your break ground and 22, 24 months later the buyers walk in and put their clothes in their closets. It isnt that way always anymore." Feeling looky-lou-ish this weekend? Visit the H+H presentation centre to see the latest "big" family home locally from a developer who's going to market in interesting times. If there's a lineup to get in, however, remember, mothers and children first!

Garden City - Residences on a Park

We Saved the Best for Last

Phase 2 Grand Opening October 22

 By: Susan M Boyce

Quick. Think contemporary new residence with nothing less than top of the line furnishings and fixtures, parkland setting, and a location that boasts easy access to the best of the Lower Mainland's many urban delights. Now add a lushly landscaped rooftop garden, views of Mount Baker and the North Shore Mountains, plus a crisp, minimalist architecture of concrete and glass. An impossible combination? Hardly.

Garden City will release Phase 2 on October 22 but see it first as early previews are commencing now!

"Once construction is finished, Alberta will be closed from Garden City Road to Katsura Road", says sales representative, Chantel Zhang "People who live here will step outside their front door into Richmond's future Garden City Community Park". She points across the street. "You will literally, be living next to a 21-acre park. Where else can you find this kind of setting and still be less than half an hour's drive from downtown Vancouver?"

She's not kidding. Even now, I can see mature trees, green spaces criss-crossed with pedestrian trails, and knolls that look perfect for pausing to watch the world go by from the comfort of a beach blanket. What I don't see until Chantel shows me the presentation centre's scale model is the large, natural pond on the park's southern edge. There are even a series of small wharfs where I imagine sitting with my feet comfortably dangling in the water. This is definitely a front yard that's going to be tough to beat.

SOPHISTICATED AND CONTEMPORARY

Stepping into Garden City's display suite, there's an immediate sense of something different. Bright and spacious definitely, but it's more - something not quite definable.

I check out the kitchen first. Ultra sleek with flat-panel cabinetry, satin finish pulls, and the extra wide, extra deep sink that's rapidly becoming model of choice among serious gourmets. The high-arch La Torre faucet is downright sexy and a perfect complement to the top quality stainless steel appliances. The countertop is rich, smooth granite complemented by a matching granite tile backsplash. Euro-spa best describes the ensuite. Limestone countertops, skirted bathtub, generous amounts of storage, and one of the square basin under-mount sinks I tend to equate with 5-star villas. The toilet is a dual flush by Caroma from Australia - the country that pioneered this environmentally responsible choice for water conservation.

I'm wandering over to the white-on-black fireplace when I finally realize what this home's illusive element is. This home, unlike most, is wider than it is deep - the resulting bank of floor-to-ceiling windows is so expansive it's as if I'm standing on a covered, outdoor patio rather than in the living room. And I'm betting the view will keep me entranced in all four seasons - no matter which side of the building I'm on.

Garden City Residences on a Park offers a total of 191 condominium homes plus 20 spacious townhomes with private patios. Floor plans ranging from 1 bedroom plus den to 2 bedroom plus family rooms as well as luxurious penthouses are available. Prices start at $254,900 or $439,900 for townhomes. The Garden City presentation centre and display suite are now open noon to 6:00 pm daily except Friday on Alberta one half block east of Garden City Road in Richmond. For more information, call 604-279-9881, or you can visit on the web anytime at www.gardencityliving.com.

Chandler Development Group Inc.

Building for Life

By: Bill Kimmett

 In this age of homogenized cookie-cutter real estate developments it was refreshing to chat with Wendy Young, Director of Operations for Chandler Development Group Inc. "By thinking 'outside of the box' we provide innovation to the multi-family market." A quick review of their projects in the Lower Mainland certainly proves this philosophy.

Welcome to this company which equates enthusiasm and aggressiveness with continued success. ³Our growth-orientated team cooperates with the community at large to provide complementary residential developments,² Wendy indicated. There was a decided passion in her voice as she spoke of the Chandler Group¹s focus on uncompromising quality and commitment to customer service.

Superior building 'quality' seems like a catch-word, but by its innovative approach combined with community values, "we have really re-defined Standards of Excellence." The Chandler Development Group lives by its principles of creating projects that respond to the desires and needs of homebuyers. And which add quality of life and value to its neighbourhoods.

A respected third generation real estate developer, this dynamic group has been redefining communities by setting exacting standards in Real Estate development. "We provide expertise in architectural design, project management, construction, and investment opportunities." Simply managed by the Chandler Development Group. "One stop shopping with results you desire," she added.

With its record for its sensitivity to the environment, this dynamic company has created communities throughout the Lower Mainland. A sampling includes:

Tribeca Lofts Yaletown styled after its Manhattan namesake, this elegant brick and glass boutique building with 2-storey lofts offers Yaletown convenience and a superior lifestyle.

Hamlin Mews harmonious garden residences across from renowned Van Dusen Gardens define lush lifestyle in an exclusive Shaughnessy like setting.

 Garden City conveniently located on a 21 acre park, the most desirable location in Richmond, these two sophisticated residential concrete and glass towers offer views of Mount Baker, the Fraser and beyond.

 Anndale Retail/Residential Village in the heart of the Fraser Valley adjacent to Highway 1 and 176th St. this mixed-use centre will offer the convenience of a neighbourhood plaza and craftsman styled homes with breathtaking views.

H+H Yaletown a spectacular addition to Vancouver's Yaletown's skyline: 16 stories of luxury homes with generous landscaped roof decks creating a flagship development in the heart of Yaletown. "A visionary approach to real estate development is paramount to success in today's market," said Wendy and with its exclusive portfolio of multi-family and mixed-use developments, the Chandler Development Group is one of the leaders in the industry.

The Vancouver Sun

Saturday, April 16, 2005

Garden City at Alberta Road

Young admirers of the new face of Richmond, Phoebe David and Nic Jensen of the Garden City: Residences on a Park presentation centre pose with the project model. The "feng-shui" is so good one couple who bought there bought 2 apartments. The upper-storey purchase is for them and the lower-storey purchase is for one of their mothers, should she wish.

Setting pretty with a park next door

Henry and Anna Cheng should know a thing or two about investment properties. The couple own 10 apartments in Vancouver and 3 in Richmond. Henry, a 59-year-old retired physician who runs a pharmacy company in Cloverdale, is particularly pleased with their most recent purchase, two apartments in Garden City Residences. The Garden City location is one reason; the apartments' design the other. The Chengs split their time between a residence near Garden City and a residence in Coquitlam.

Garden City consists of two towers of apartments with terraced townhomes at their base. (The eight first-phase townhomes are all bought). The homes are scheduled for occupancy in September 2006. They will rise at the corner of Garden City Road and Alberta Road, near Westminster Highway.

The city of Richmond is planning to build at 21-acre park directly behind the towers, an ambition that will turn some of Alberta Road into parkland. "The location of Garden City satisfies my requirements. I can drive across the Lower Mainland without having to go through the traffic jam of Alderbridge and No. 3 Road." Henry comments. "It's a quiet area, yet close to the busy centre." The dining-out and shopping opportunities that the couple enjoy are just minutes away by car; his Cloverdale workplace, about 30 minutes.

Henry says the south-facing apartments they bought - a two bedroom on the sixth floor and a two bedroom plus den on the 17th - both have views of the park. The lower apartment has a view of the top of the trees. Henry hopes his mother will reside in there. The higher apartment, which he and his wife will occupy, has a "bird's eyes view of the park" and beyond to Mount Baker. Because of their proximity of mountain and water; their "feng shui" is very good, he says. "The distant mountain on the west is considered the dragon and the mountain on the east is the tiger. Both are protecting you." He also likes Garden City's proximity to the airport departure and arrival paths. They're off to the north.

The apartments' open layouts; the presence of two master suites; and the relative seclusion of the second bedrooms that allows privacy for the guests are among the interior items that helped to convince the couple to invest in Garden City. Henry is especially anticipating his time in the den in the apartment in which he and Anna will reside. "It's an ideal area for me looking from the main living-room French-doors... This is high-end living. It's not just a roof and walls. It's all very tasteful."

Cheng considers the $370/square foot cost of the apartments, although not inexpensive, cheaper than most smaller apartments in Vancouver proper. Bob Rennie of Rennie Marketing Systems, the Garden City marketer, says Richmond is about $150 to $200 a square foot cheaper than downtown Vancouver. "It's attractive to empty-nesters who don't want to leave Richmond and it attracts younger buyers because of the price. Being right on the edge of the park is attractive to homeowners and for people looking for a secure investment," says Rennie.

The Province

May 1, 2005

The gardens at your doorstep - 21-acre swath of green appeals to those snapping up suites

 After a sluggish start in the Lower Mainland's housing boom, Richmond is coming into its own as a unique and fast-growing location of choice. Whether it's the No. 3 Road downtown-core crowd or the more bucolic suburbia of what's known as central Richmond, it's all luring buyers to this city of many islands and its comparatively painless commute to Vancouver. When you compare the trek to New West and Surrey, Richmond looks like action central to young professional couples - and will become more so with the installation of the RAV line.

Of course, Richmond is kind of its own exclusive self-contained town, too. A few weeks after release, the 108 units in Garden City's first phase were gone, many to Richmond residents moving up from other, older developments or downsizing from bigger homes in the area. We can especially see what they like about this new development, one of many filling in this area to create a whole new cityscape. First of all, the park is definitely the thing. Owned by the city of Richmond, the 21-acre swath of green to the south will eventually become Garden City's front yard as Alberta Street is filled in and access to the development is created from the north.

It's a sophisticated neighbourhood plan. A peaceful lagoon will grace the treed landscape and, as a city greenspace, it will also boast a number of public amenities such as pathways, playing fields, tennis courts, picnic areas and soccer fields. These will help blend Garden City seamlessly into the larger community, a thoughtful touch as private parks rarely inspire a lot of day-to-day contemplation, fun and recreation. That, plus lots of shopping at Richmond Centre, Aberdeen, Yaohan and Lansdowne, lend an urban/suburban feng shui to the place, aesthetic and practical and handy, too.

URBAN trendz

January 21, 2005

Style meets substance at Tribeca Lofts, Downtown's newest condominium development at Yaletown's edge.

 A brick and glass boutique of 53 New York Style Lofts will soon be erected in this coveted location, with lush inner courtyards, trendy bistro patios, and the lyrical tranquility of a water fountain. Featuring gorgeous colour schemes with stainless steel Bosch and Amana appliances, tempered glass staircases, polished chrome accents and marble fireplaces, Tribeca Lofts offers an impressive and contemporary interiors package.

A building with as much individual character as Tribeca Lofts can only originate with a superb team: Insightful architecture by Hancock Bruckner, developed by Chandler Developments, built by Ledcor and marketed by Rennie Marketing Systems. Tribeca is quintessentially modern living - individualized, intimate, and inviting. 12 lofts and flats are available, starting from $279,900.

The Vancouver Sun

September 25, 2004

A little southwest of Yaletown, another family firm with generations of success, Chandler Development, is developing Tribeca Lofts. "It's a spectacular new building designed by Hancock Bruckner," says President Mark Chandler. "It's New York modern with ceilings up to 18 feet, highly styled features and individual choices."

Business in Vancouver

May 4-10, 2004

 Chandler Development tackles residential sites

With its Anndale Village Shopping Centre project underway and set to complete in the spring of 2005, Vancouver-based Chandler Development Group is turning to residential projects. "We're trying to balance our development sites, so we have a little bit of both," said Chandler president Mark Chandler, a relative newcomer on the local development scene though he's handled major projects in the U.S.

As this issue goes to press, hoarding will be going up around the site of a new 53-unit, New York-style loft development at Richards and Nelson in Yaletown. Chandler is also applying to redevelop a site at West 38th and Oak Street in Vancouver with 21 two-storey townhomes. "It's a revival of an old Shaugnessy design," Chandler said.

Chandler expects to break ground within three months on the development, which fits with city policies for the area given the site's position between Oak Street, which has a higher volume of traffic, and the transit yard to the east that is also set for redevelopment. Chandler is eyeing an additional site downtown for residential development but is not currently pursuing commercial opportunities aside from Anndale.

Home