Wordless Wednesdays is a post from: Vancouver Real Estate-Vancouver Homes For Sale

The view from Vancouver’s Granville Island, looking across False Creek to the waterfront condos at the bottom of Howe and Hornby

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Wordless Wednesdays is a post from: Vancouver Real Estate-Vancouver Homes For Sale

Vancouver’s Shangri-la rises above all!

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Wordless Wednesdays is a post from: Vancouver Real Estate-Vancouver Homes For Sale

Address: 560 Cardero Street, Vancouver, BC, V6G 3J8, Canada

Cascina and Denia are the last two of 4 condo buildings in Waterfront Place. The two towers are connected by a lagoon courtyard and surrounded by 34 townhomes.

Developer: Aspac Developements

Architect:  James KM Cheng Architects Inc

Construction:  Ledcor Industries

Built: 2003

Floorplans:25 levels with 121 suites. 01 suites are 1536sf and face nw.  02 suites are 1434 sf and face ne. 03 suites are 809sf one bedrooms and face east and 04 suites are 1232sf and face south (the suite is the entire back of the building) , the 05 suites are 838sf 2 bedrooms and face west

Amenities: concierge,  indoor pool, gym, steam/sauna, swirlpool, air conditiong, library, garden

Features: Fine European Trussardi porcelain floor tiles, Contemporary maple wood cabinetry ,Polished Granite slab countertops and backsplash ,Sub-zero refrigerator ,Bosch convection oven & gas cooktop ,Bosch premium ultra quiet dishwasher ,Built-in Panasonic microwave or LG oven range hood combination Grohe pull & spray faucet ,In-sink waste disposal ,Built-in water purification system

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Featuring Coal Harbour Condo Cascina is a post from: Vancouver Real Estate-Vancouver Homes For Sale

Address – 535 Nicola Street, Coal Harbour, Vancouver, BC. “Waterfront Place Complex”.

 Bauhina was the second of four condo buildings to be built at Waterfront Place. Situated on the waterfront in Coal Harbour,  which consists of 12 waterfront buildings – 2 on Bayshore Drive , 4 Waterfront Place complex and 8 on West Cordova, for a total of only 12. Waterfront Place condos include Avila and Bauhina, Cascina and Denia.

Built -  1998. 21 floors featuring amazing water and mountain views from front condos

Architect- Perkins & Co. Architects and Urban Design

Construction Co – Scott Construction Co.

Structural Engineers – Read Jones Christoffersen

Floor-plans-  Above  8th floor, the ‘01′ is 1175 sf SW corner, ‘02 is 1180sq SE corner, ‘03 is 1530 sf NW corner and ‘04 is 1520 sf NE corner. Below 8th floor there are smaller l bedrooms from 680 sf and 2 bedrooms from 950sf.

Amenities - large indoor swimming pool, sauna and steam, gym and squash courts, media room, landscaped courtyard

Building Features- 24 hour concierge, Power-Smart building,  Bike storage, security system, generous lobby with lounge and fireplace, radiant floor heating in bathrooms, built-in water purification system

Suite Features – Marble entrance foyer ,Gas Fireplace ,5 appliances ,Range hood ,Microwave oven ,Granite countertops ,European faucets and tiles ,Elegantly styled kitchen cabinets ,Premium bathroom

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when you’re ready to buy or sell  Vancouver real estate, contact Maggie, an experienced realtor marketing Vancouver condos since 1981  2009 MLS Medallion Club Master Diamond Member

Featuring Bauhinia, Coal Harbour, Vancouver, BC is a post from: Vancouver Real Estate-Vancouver Homes For Sale

couresy community webpages

Just over a century ago, Vancouver was a two-block collection of buildings called Granville (now known as Gastown). This location on Burrard Inlet was competing to be the west coast terminus of the Canadian Pacific Railway. By 1887, a year after the City of Vancouver was incorporated, the first passenger train arrived at the foot of Howe Street, and future growth was assured. In the next seven years, a building boom began to move the city centre from Water and Cordova Streets up to Georgia and Granville Streets.

 Streetcar service was initiated in 1890, joining the waterfront to Granville, Pender and Cordova Streets. The next period of growth was sparked by the Klondike Gold Rush in 1898. The following decade confirmed Granville Street as the centre of Downtown, and a real estate boom spiraled land costs upwards. By 1912, a core office and shopping area was well developed, flanked by comfortable residential neighbourhoods. The period after World War I saw another economic leap forward and more Downtown development. The 1929 stock market crash halted it all, and began a thirty five year period of very little change in the area.The late 1960s and 70s saw rapid growth in the Downtown and adjacent areas such as the West End. Vancouver solidified its position as an international financial and business centre and white collar jobs in the city core multiplied. Pacific Centre Mall was developed and Granville Street was transformed into a transit mail. Rapid changes to the skyline, combined with urban renewal proposals for Gastown and a freeway through Chinatown lead to a surge of resident concerns about the future of the Downtown.   Citizen involvement successfully defeated the freeway proposals, and in 1971 the provincial government designated Gastown and Chinatown as historic districts. The Robson Square Courthouse and Vancouver Art Gallery complex was completed in 1977 creating an important public space in the heart of the Downtown.  Industrial land surrounding False Creek was rezoned to permit comprehensive redevelopment into residential neighbourhoods. The early 80s saw a 60,000 seat indoor stadium called B.C. Place built just south of the Georgia Viaduct. In 1986 the north shore of False Creek was the venue for an international exposition, EXPO 86. The Canada Place Trade and Convention Centre was constructed on Burrard Inlet as Canada’s pavilion to the fair. It is also the city’s cruise ship terminal The first phase of SkyTrain, linking Downtown to New Westminster, was also built to coincide with EXPO.In the late 1980s, the Downtown was clearly in transition from a precinct dedicated mostly to commerce, to a cluster of neighbourhoods ringing a thriving office and shopping district. Council adoption of the Central Area Plan in late 1991 confirmed this direction by establishing overall goals and land use policy for the Downtown. False Creek North – located on the former EXPO 86 site, on the north shore of False Creek, development of this 83-hectare (204-acre) site will include 8,500 residential units housing for more than 14,000 people, 2.6 million square feet of commercial space, social housing, parks, schools, community facilities, and a waterfront walkway and bicycle route.Yaletown – Once the city’s warehouse district, Yaletown is today a revitalized part of the city and a “trendy” place to live, work, and do business. The area north of Pacific Boulevard, between Nelson and Drake Streets, is home to a mix of art galleries, retail stores, restaurants, office and residential developments.Like many areas of Vancouver, Yaletown’s early days were shaped by the arrival of the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1887. Yaletown acquired its name when the railway moved its construction equipment and repair shops from Yale in the Fraser Canyon to the railway’s western terminus of Vancouver.Downtown South
In 1991, Council amended Downtown’s Official Development Plan for the area known as Downtown South. Located south of Robson Street, east of the West End, and north of Pacific Street and historic Yaletown, this 51 ha (128 ac) area will be transformed into a high-density residential and mixed-use community. By 2020, the area should be home to approximately 11,000 people in 5,600 housing units. Guidelines are in place to provide view protection and ensure a livable, high density neighbourhood for residentsThe register is the way city staff and the public keep track of building of heritage value. Buildings are graded depending on their architectural, historical or contextual value, and some are “protected” through heritage designation.Heritage – Within the downtown core there are many landmark buildings, including:
The Hotel Vancouver (1929-1939), 900 West Georgia
The Marine Building, (1930), 355 Burrard
The Sun Tower (1912), 100 West Pender,
Christ Church Cathedral (1889-1895), 690 Burrard
CPR Station (1914), 601 West Cordova
Court House/Vancouver Art Gallery(1906-1912), 800 West Georgia
Woodwards (1903, plus 9 additions), 101 West Hastings
B.C. Hydro Building (1957), 970 Burrard View the City’s Heritage Conservation Program   more history and great old pictures Know some vancouver downtown history you’d like to share with us? keep up to date with Vancouver’s changing real estate market, subscribe via RSS or email. contact Maggie when you’re ready to buy or sell vancouver real estatewhen you’re ready to buy or sell in Coal Harbour, contact Maggie, an experienced realtor marketing vancouver homes since 1981

History of Downtown Vancouver is a post from: Vancouver Real Estate-Vancouver Homes For Sale

Wordless Wednesdays is a post from: Vancouver Real Estate-Vancouver Homes For Sale

Vancouver’s Shangri-la condo building has two sections, the Estates at Shangri-la which is the 46th to 61st floor and the live/work suits at 1111 Alberni which run to the 46th floor

The Estates at Vancouver Shangri-la condo building now has an equal number of listings to November last year and a total of 8 sales for the year, vs 12 for 2009. The live/work condo sales this year are on par with 2009. Altogether a steady market for this luxury condo building which opened in November 2008. March was the busies for sales in both sections of the building and the market has slowed in June.

Currently there are 10 suites for sale in the Estates at Shangri-la, from $2.8M and  8 sales in 2010 including my lisitng on 53rd floor, which is a unique (one of only 3) double height 3 bedroom 4500 sqft, listed at $5,780,000 and the second most expensive resale to date.

At the beginning of 2009, the Estates at Shangri-la were selling as low as $900 psf. The developer sold them in 2004/05 as low at $750psf. plus taxes.

Listings – Nov’09 – 3. Mar’10 – 13, June 10

Ranging from $2.880,000 to $4,180,000, starting at 2400sf.

2009 Solds – 12

2010 Solds - Jan 0, Feb 0, Mar 3, Apr 2, May 2, Jun 1

Sale price to list price ratio -  Mar 91%  , Apr 91%  ,May 88%, Jun 93%

Average Days of Market -Mar 105,  Apr 14  ,May 27, June 43

Sale Price $ psf – Mar $1,175, Apr $1,202, Jun $1,246

The Live/Work condos at 1111 Alberni

Listings – Mar 13, Apr 22, June 19

Sales 2009 – 43. Least expensive $595,000 for a l bedroom and Most Expensive was #3806 selling at $1,670,000 for 1552sf

Sales 2010 – Jan 4, Feb 1, March 6, Apr 3, May 4, June 2

Average Days on Market - Mar 65, Apr 42, May 43, June 71

Average Sale Price - Mar $1,036,000 Apr $1,589,000, May $1,267,000, June $ 735,000

Sale Price to List Price Ratio – Mar 95%, Apr 97%, May 97%, June 97%

Average $ psf - , Mar $946, Apr $979, May $1,015, June $808

View my other posts on Shangri-la

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Vancouver Real Estate Analysis for Shangri-la is a post from: Vancouver Real Estate-Vancouver Homes For Sale

I recently attended a presentation by BCREA’s chief economist Cameron Muir  on the current conditions and future projections for Vancouver’s real estate market. It was very interesting.

Here are the highlights, as per my notes

-affordability is the largest challenge, rising rates and tighter credit

-international migration equals population growth which is good for real estate which always performs in cycles.

-Vancouver is a Gateway City and over the last 10 years the world’s gateway cities have performed the best. The Asia connection is positive. China is rising and our linkages to Asia – transportation, students, brain power, will continue for the next 20 years

-Global economy is very integrated and will be more so.

-Canada will have a 3.3% GDP in 2011 which’ll result in rising employment and wages and more house buyers. Consumer confidence remains strong. Expect a higher Cdn $ over the short term and for sometime. Manufacturing will become more productive, investing in inventory and technology

-Only 55-60% of BBC services and goods are exported to the US, there will be more trade with China going forward. BC lumber and US housing starts are linked . Both are improving. Expect retail sales to equal former peak by year end

BC is in a post recession period and prices in spring were at record level. Rising rates will dampen demand. Sales to active listings graph shows a balanced market earlier this year, last December was a Sellers Market and as of May we are now in a buyers market.

Vancouver has 40% of all provincial real estate sales. Pent-up demand from 2008 fuelled sales in 2009.

Going forward there will be softness, rates will increase up to 3% in 2 years. Housing starts in 2009 will be equal to 2000.

BC migration averages approx 39,000 annually. Of that 75% are Asians and 25% of that figure are Mainland Chinese. These immigrants bring cash with them and have a high net worth but not high incomes. This scews the house price vs income graph

Incomes are the driver of housing wealth. BC is second to Alberta for population growth in the country. By 2020 there will be another half a million people moving to BC. By 2036 BC’s population will be 6 million. Over the next 20 years 36% of the province will be over 55 years.

BC has the lowest personal tax rate in the country but highest housing prices. Our property transfer tax is the highest in Canada.

Prices and sales will be down this year but will be better next.

Vancouver has positioned itself as a processing and distribution centre and transportation centre.

HST will result in more new homes under the $525,000 threshold. HST will be good for the resale market as there’ll be fewer new homes built. Buyers will move to the suburbs as Vancouver becomes too expensive.

A recent survey in Surrey showed May sales were 16% below the 10 year average and listings were 100% higher.

View the listings to sales chart. Housing starts forecast chart. Conventional mortgage rate in Canada since 1973

Have a comment or question? I’ll try my best to answer it.

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BCREA’s Projection for Vancouver Real Estate is a post from: Vancouver Real Estate-Vancouver Homes For Sale

The consumer price report showed that the headline inflation index rose 0.3% in May, beating expectations for an increase of 0.2%. The year-over-year rate eased to 1.4% from 1.8% in April because this year’s monthly increase fell short of last May’s 0.7% jump. The unadjusted Bank of Canada’s core measure also rose 0.3% in May, which was in line with expectations. The year-over-year rate edged down to 1.8% after averaging 1.9% in the first four months of 2010. In the month of May, prices for electricity, passenger vehicle insurance premiums, traveller accommodation and homeowners’ replacement costs rose. These increases were partially offset by lower prices for women and men’s clothing, gasoline and fresh vegetables. The seasonally adjusted all-items index posted a 0.1% decline in May. Relative to a year earlier, the biggest gains were recorded in passenger vehicles prices, gasoline, vehicle insurance premiums and homeowners’ replacement costs. Natural gas and other fuel prices were also higher than in May 2009.  Moderating the effect of these increases were lower mortgage interest costs, furniture prices and women’s clothing prices. The 1.8% rise in the core index was mainly due to higher vehicle and vehicle insurance costs as well as homeowners’ replacement costs. The seasonally adjusted core measure rose 0.1% in May following April’s 0.2% rise. The three-month running rate in the core slowed to 1.2% annualized, from 2.2% in April, while the six-month annualized change stood at 2.0%. Canada‘s headline inflation rate has been volatile as gyrations in energy prices play out; however, the core rate has stayed in a fairly tight range between 1.5% and 2.1% for the past 17 months. Our work suggests that unlike the US, where the output gap is a more powerful force in driving core inflation, Canada’s core rate tends to gravitate around the Bank of Canada’s 2% target, which is in line with inflation expectations and has been borne out by the performance of the core rate during the economic downturn, which did not fall as much as was expected. The rapid recovery in GDP output combined with the rebound in employment suggests that the economy no longer requires the support from an ultra-easy policy stance. Still, the Bank will likely keep to its gradualist approach in removing this stimulus because events outside of Canada are creating uncertainty about the global economic outlook. As a result, we expect the Bank to move the policy rate higher in 25 basis point increments with the next move likely on July 20. Dawn Desjardins, Assistant Chief Economist, RBC Economics To view the economic data calendars with trend charts, go to:

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Canada’s Annual Inflation Rate Slides is a post from: Vancouver Real Estate-Vancouver Homes For Sale