Keeping it in the neighbourhood: Dunbar location informed the design of boutique-style residences
Source: vancouversun.com
Location was paramount for couple as they downsize from 4,200-square-foot house in the area.
Location, location, location. A long-time mantra of real estate agents. More often, it references using location as a way to invest wisely. But for many people, location means much more: home— a place where they create and maintain connections with family, friends and community.
Location was paramount for Dwight Jefferson and his wife Sheahan when they decided to downsize from the 4,200-square-foot house they had built in the Dunbar neighbourhood. As empty nesters and Jefferson, an early retiree, they had more free time and a desire to travel. Having lived in the Dunbar neighbourhood for 30 years, they wanted to remain in the area and also be close to aging parents. Staying in Dunbar, he says, was the number one priority.
“We had spent a couple of months looking at any single-family home in Dunbar that was in our price point,” Jefferson recalls of the more than 50 houses the couple viewed. “There’s very little new product on the market, and there’s very little as-new product on the market.”
It was when Jefferson was out of town that his wife rang him and asked if he’d consider buying a condominium instead. She had spotted a new project on Dunbar Street on the corner of 39th and liked the look of the building. At only four storeys (the ground level will be retail) and 29 homes, the concrete-constructed building fits well into the existing neighbourhood, which was the intention of the builder, Wesgroup Properties.
“Obviously, this is a quality, well-known location,” says Joey Coupland, vice president of sales for Wesgroup. “So, we’re matching it with quality concrete construction. That was important … We’re known for our masterplans, but Dunbar is already a complete community. So having the opportunity to come in, build a quality building in an established neighbourhood was important for us.”
The couple investigated the project and decided on a three-bedroom, top-floor unit that gave them two generous outdoor patios and a rooftop deck. Jefferson says that the more they looked at the project, the more they liked it and that Wesgroup’s solid reputation made it easier to buy a home based solely on the plans, the designs and marketing materials, as there was no display suite.
Coupland admits the company was surprised by the high level of presales interest (all three-bedroom and den units have sold and most one bedrooms) given there was no display unit —understanding that buyers prefer to be able to see, touch and feel the product.
If the building’s location fits the Jeffersons’ brief for staying in their community, it also brings the bonus of affording them spectacular views from their three outdoor spaces, one of which is covered.
“We have a beautiful view to the west with views through the Dunbar trees of the Gulf of Georgia and the islands,” Jefferson says. “We’ve got two decks on one level and then a rooftop deck that has a hot tub, an outdoor kitchen, a garden and views in all directions.”
The interiors have also met the couple’s standards for design, quality workmanship and finishes, and functionality.
“The kitchen had good storage and lots of counter space that was functional,” he says. “Stylistically, we liked their choice of colours and materials. It’s a fairly modern design, which is different for us. So, we’re excited about having something new.”
Coupland says the kitchens are spacious (even the one-bedroom units have islands), and storage is maximized. There is no wasted space, as is demonstrated with the integration of LeMans corner cabinet systems—an elevated version of a Lazy Susan.
“The kitchens are generous,” she confirms. “I think that was another conscious effort to maximize the storage in these kitchens and the functionality of them—the appliances are all integrated, gorgeous Sub-Zero, quality natural stone, waterfall islands. We did a stone surround on the hood fans. They’re quite luxurious.”
Other features in the homes include engineered hardwood flooring, underfloor heating in all the bathrooms, air conditioning, roller blinds and blackout blinds.
The Jefferson’s home is west-facing, and owing to the oversized, floor-to-ceiling windows, there’s nothing but glass all the way across, which he describes simply as “fabulous.”
The Jeffersons also have two parking spots, storage lockers and bike lockers—important for him as he’s a keen cyclist who has numerous bicycles.
Though Jefferson admits it will be an adjustment to downsize from a 4,200 square feet single-family house to a condo, they know this is the right move for them, and they’ll have everything they’ll need.
“We left a house that we kept in perfect condition. The buyer got a house where everything worked like the day we put it in. You don’t find that very often, and that was a big part of the appeal [of the condo].
But of course, it also meets their most important requirement, he says, “Location, location, location.”
Project Address: 3636 West 39th Avenue, Vancouver
Project Scope: A boutique condominium development of 29 one-, two- and three-bedroom residences in the heart of the Dunbar neighbourhood. This concrete-constructed, low-rise building’s design centres around achieving ultimate functionality and using high-quality finishes to create an understated classic yet contemporary esthetic.
Developers: Wesgroup
Architects: Taizo Yamamoto
Prices: One bedroom and flex space, $1,099,900; two bedrooms and flex space, $1,849,900 – $2,799,900; three bedrooms and den are all sold.
Sales Centre: 402-3636 West 39th Avenue, Vancouver
Sales Centre Hours: By appointment
Sales Phone: 604-779-8590
Website: wesgroup.ca/dunbar/