Posted on
February 9, 2011
by
David Setton
I recently spent three days with a client touring the best condominiums and townhomes Vancouver has to offer. Make no mistake, high-end condo living has come of age in Vancouver. As a developer, I am difficult to impress; however, after viewing these buildings, I wanted to sell my own home and move. The developers of these condominiums pulled out all the stops, from the finishes to the extravagant amenities.
We focused our search efforts on Coal Harbour and False Creek North (that part of Yaletown just south of Pacific Avenue).
Two Harbour Green is the nicest residential building in Coal Harbour. If Yaletown is known for its amenities, Coal Harbour is known for its views. The views are both expansive and breath-taking, with the snow-topped Coast Mountains in the background and Stanley Park in the foreground. The dramatic lobby penetrates through the entire building from street to water and its triple height ceilings frame the outdoor view. Of all the amenities, I really enjoyed the virtual golf: it was as realistic as it gets, allowing you to hit your real golf balls into a movie screen curtain.
Moving on to the suites, only three condominiums are on each floor. The interior ten-foot high ceilings and floor-to-ceiling glass bring the view inside, making the mountains in the distance feel even larger.
The nicest developments in False Creek North (in my opinion) are The Erickson and Kings Landing. The Erickson, designed by world-renown architect, Arthur Erickson, was his final legacy before he passed and it is everything one would expect from Erickson.
Imagine: your own private elevator delivers you straight from the lobby and into your living room. The moment the elevator doors open, you are impressed by a south facing view of False Creek and beyond. As the building is designed like a corkscrew, each condominium has its own unique view. Inside, you are treated to first-class finishes. Some of the highlights include high-gloss white European cabinetry in the kitchen, a quartz stone vanity in the powder room that is back-lit and glows like something out of a futuristic movie, and even a toilet that anticipates your entrance by raising its lid. The en-suite mirror features a built-in TV that is only visible when you turn it on.
The amenities at The Erickson include a swimming pool that uses UV light to treat the water and has under water speakers that allow you to listen to music from your own iPod. A yoga room, weight room and spa facility round out the amenity package. Having trained for many triathlons, I can really appreciate having underwater music while I swim lengths, not to mention the yoga and spa rooms.
Next we stepped across the street to a more traditional but equally impressive Kings Landing. The first thing that I noticed was how well-conceived the landscaped areas were. I now understand why this development has won so many awards for best urban landscaping. The buildings surround a large central courtyard with concrete pavers that crisscross through the water features and shrubbery. The development is comprised of two larger mid-rise buildings anchored with townhomes fronting a courtyard and the seawall. The townhome that we viewed felt more like a single family home in the middle of the city. The home was well-designed with three bedrooms upstairs and the kitchen, family, living, and dining rooms on the main floor.
Whether you choose to live in Coal Harbour or Yaletown (False Creek North), homes exist that can truly offer a change of lifestyle for the better. Not only will your life be more care free, but you will also experience resort style amenities in a very prestigious location.
If you ever want to get out of you large single family house and take a private tour of the best condominiums Vancouver has to offer, I am available night or day to serve you. If you are a serious buyer, there are a lot of luxury condos to choose from right now and single family homes are in short supply (but that is another newsletter).
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