The search wasn't easy.  After plenty of online searching and visiting many Vancouver furniture stores, finally we found the match.  A perfectly low, square, deep, high quality sofa from Camerich was selected.  Camerich USA is a company that has designed a line of italian inspired contemporary pieces.  The sofas are constructed of steel and birch with high grade thick fabrics.  The "Lean" three seater sofa in Grey was selected.  The quality of the finishing of the fabric and detail in each of the corners was very impressive.  The pillows have hidden zippers, and the chrome bar at the bottom is protected by four small legs that acutally supports the sofa.  The sofa offers a perfect blend of style and function.  It is ultra-comfortable for three people, lounging, or even a mid-day rest, while having very clean sharp lines.   These sofa's retail for between $2200 - $4500.  This sofa was very heavy, just over 200 lbs.  So planning the delivery was very important.  Once sold through Koolhaus, Contact Camerich USA directly now for a price quote as there is no longer a current distributer in BC.

Large 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom, 1668 sq.ft. top floor loft, with large South Facing patio.  Now this unique loft is for sale.  This is amongst the most disirable high-end modernist loft buildings in Vancouver. Stunning architecture, Point Grey Location, and seamless clean high-efficiency design in one composition.  Read our extensive building information page about Roar One at 4387 W 10th Ave with plenty of photos.

MLS Comments: Roar One! Winner of the Lieutenant Governor's award for architectural design this exclusive residence of concrete & glass construction is sleek & contemporary. Experience penthouse living at it's finest: Soaring ceiling height & heated concrete floors are a dramatic backdrop to the beautiful ocean & mountain views, exemplified by the floor to ceiling glass. Enjoy the luxury of Wenge cabinetry, Karadon countertops & aluminum sliding door system in this spacious 2 level layout with 3 bedrooms up & boasting numerous terraces. 2 parking stalls, large storage area + maintenance includes heat & gas. Experience the Point Grey lifestyle: 10th Ave shops, beaches galore & Pacific Spirit Park all steps away. Listed By: RE/MAX Real Estate Services

The previous occupant of this unit was very hard on the floors and there were plenty of dents and scratches throughout.  So something needed to be done.

From the beginning I compared purchasing new floors vs. refinishing.  At the same time I wanted a dark finish for a more up to date look.  New floors were going to cost nearly $5/sq.ft. + install of about $3/sq.ft.  So, $8 x about 500 sq.ft. (excluding the bathroom) plus new Bull-noses on the stairs (The end of the stair treads).  This would cost around $4000 - $4500 total.  But the wood was still good, and it looked like there was some life to spare. 

To get the floors re-sanded, repair all the dents, new shoe moldings, and a dark stain and satin coat applied totaled $2500.  The finish product was beautiful.  There are some spots where the stain wasn’t as well absorbed as others, but overall the floor feels new with the ultra smooth finishing, and the dark colour looks great.  Its nice to walk on with bare feet, and it is going to compliment the white walls and chrome details on some of the furnishing very well. 

This video has some more visuals for you. 

Take notice that the risers of the stairs were not refinished, this is going to be painted either Black or Ebony to match the floors.  Contact me directly if you want the contact for Ziggy – the floor guy.

Click here to see the building information page and units for sale at The Qube, 1333 W Georgia St.

At Albrighton Real Estate we have picked up a unit at the Qube.  It is an ’05 Floor plan, the junior one bedroom 560 sq.ft., New York loft style condo.  We are going to be doing blogs and articles about this unit, upgrades, and modern pieces/furniture that work within its small space.  You can use these tips as you renovate your own modern condo.  These tips and strategies are brought to you with industry experience and hopefully are great examples to help you.  If you are planning to modernize your space or get it ready to sell, you can use these strategies as they will enhance and open concept condo because they have been designed around “opening up a space”.  They are generally desirable among the type of buyers who look for modern styled condos or lofts in Vancouver.    

The theme will be base around keeping the plan open, flexible, bright and functional.  The views from this unit are very beautiful so plenty of detail inside won’t be necessary.  The goal is to upgrade the floors, brighten the space, utilize the best options for storage, use furnishings that are complementary to the “open plan” theme and eventually upgrade the kitchen to a sleek European design white kitchen.  Stay tuned for more.   And continue to follow our blog.   I would love to answer any questions or.

These are the “before photos” that were taken when the unit was on the market before it was purchased.   

Within the nieghbourhoods of Yaletown, Gastown, and Crosstown, these four properites stand out for great value and design.

SELECT THIS PROPERTY LINK: http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=1963048665&s=BRC&t=BRC
 (click on the building name to see the building information page)

#407 1066 Hamilton St - New Yorker - Yaletown - This is a Loft conversion building which was first built in 1911.  This unit has retained more of its original character, it offers 930 sq.ft., and underground parking stall, exposed wood beams and brick.  This unit has plenty of potential as the kitchen and bathrooms are more basic. Priced at $599,000, listed by Sutton Grp-West Coast Realty.

#302 528 Beatty St - Bowman Lofts - Crosstown - This is located between Yaletown and Gastown.  This is a very beautiful two level heritage conversion loft.  This is a character two level loft within the same building.  The units below the 7th floors have the exposed brick, concrete, and wood beams.  The designer did a beautiful job blending modern elements within an old space.  You have the old world charm with today's top of line modern fixtures.  This is a large two bathroom 1217 sq.ft. loft with space for a second bedroom.  Similar units have sold much higher in the past.  Priced at $699,900.  Listed by Macdonald Realty Ltd. Vancouver.

#406 345 Water St - Greensheilds - Gastown - The Greenshields is a boutique heritage loft conversion style building converted in 2004 into 22 suites. Refurbished detailed brick facades, wood casement windows and carved sandstone capitols featuring original maple hardwood floors, exposed brick and concrete, high 8'9" and 11' ceiling heights, honed granite and stone counters. Award-winning Alda Pereira's design with brick & concrete architectural elements located on Gastown's best block.  This unit faces North towards the Mountains and Ocean.  It doesn't included a parking stall, but a rental spots are possible. Priced at $589,000.  Listed by Sutton Grp-West Coast Realty.

#213 55 E Cordova - Koret Lofts - Gastown - This unique building is located at Cordova and Carrall, it is a very nice designer conversion building.  I haven't seen a listing with parking under $500,000 in quite a while, this listing was just reduced.  Its 1100 sq.ft. and includes a parking stall at $499,000.  The interiors are beautiful, exposed concrete, wood, venting, brick and more.  These are true lofts with great architecture.  Priced at $499,000.  Listed by Sutton Grp-West Coast Realty.

Its Patio season, and plenty of clients are demanding nice lofts with large patios, decks, and balconies suited for entertaining, BBQ's, and getting some sun.  Follow the MLS link and read the property notes below.  If you are looking for a Vancouver Loft or special property with a patio space, please don't hesitate to call us.

PROPERTY LINK WITH FULL MLS DETAILS: 

http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=1821105680&s=BRC&t=BRC


PROPERTY NOTES BY PAUL ALBRIGHTON:

#703 546 Beatty St - Crane Building - 546 Beatty is a cool heritage conversion building, completed in 2009, most suites in the building are worth closer to $500,000, the penthouses are special with lots of outdoor space and modern styling, extra details, and great design.  Listed by Tac Real Estate Corp.


#605 28 Powell St - Powell Lane - This is an older Gastown loft building.  Located just off of Water St, this unit has over 1600 sq.ft. and a nice sunny 661 sq.ft. patio.  The pictures don't show it well, but it is an open concept unit with high bright 16' high ceilings.

#503 1275 Hamilton St - Alda - This is a beautiful heritage conversion building, it was completed in 2002, they have a warm New York Modern loft feel with original wood beams that are exposed, and nice dark walnut wood floors.  This unit has 2 beds, 2 baths, and a great sized patio (approximately 250 sq.ft).  The finish and quality a very nice.  It also has two parking stalls and an extra large storage locker, which is very rare in Yaletown.   Listed by Macdonald Realty Ltd.


#PH6 1155 Mainland St - Del Prado - This is the penthouse suite at Del Prado with the rooftop patio.  The suite is nice with good space.  It does need some updates.  The bathrooms and kitchen are quite dated and in need of replacement/upgrades.  The rooftop deck is near some of the rooftop mechanicals which make some noise, and split up the space, but a very good price overall.


#PH1 1178 Hamilton St - The Hamilton - This is another heritage conversion, completed in 1997, this is a beautiful heritage building, and this has a great sized private rooftop deck.  The inside is very spacious with 12' ceilings, and has room to build a 2nd bedroom.  Listed by Sutton Grp-West Coast Realty.
 

#404 1066 Hamilton St - “The New Yorker” - This is a great central Yaletown conversion heritage building.  This is a two level loft which is very rare in a heritage building.  Here you get 1300 sq.ft. and a nice blend of classic and modern design.  This unit has had plenty of custom renovations.   There is a 500 sq.ft. private rooftop patio.

#801 1280 Richards St - The Grace - This is the second phase of the Grace development by James Schouw. Again, timeless gothic/classic design matched with a taste of Tuscany in a modern setting. The Grace tower at 1280 Richards street offers true quality and luxury. From limestone style floors, 10' ceilings, and ultra high doorways, this one-of-a-kind Yaletown inspired building is amongst the most unique developements in the City.  The building also includes a Rolls Royce driving service for $1/min.


#2602 1055 Homer St - Domus Penthouse - This is a completely customized penthouse in Yaletown.  Domus is a great higher-end Yaletown tower.  This unit is very special with amount of custom upgrades, the views, and outdoor space.  Its 1900 sq.ft. inside with an 842 sq.ft. patio.  Nicely priced at $1,799,000.

Disclaimer The data relating to real estate on this web site comes in part from the MLS Reciprocity program of the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver or the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board. Real estate listings held by participating real estate firms are marked with the MLS Reciprocity logo and detailed information about the listing includes the name of the listing agent. This representation is based in whole or part on data generated by the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver or the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board which assumes no responsibility for its accuracy. The materials contained on this page may not be reproduced without the express written consent of the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver or the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board.

PURE - European Inspired "Purism" Design

Pure 1252 Hornby St - Features open concept designed high quality condos.  Properties at Pure have ceiling heights from 8'6" up to 11"  high giving a great sense of open space.  The use of very "white and clean" designs, complimented with either white ceramic tile floors or a bleached style engineered hardwood floors make each room for together.  The well-thought-out kitchens are compact and practical, inspired by European designers.  The appliances are slightly smaller, touched off with dark wood with no contours, minimal handles, and white ceaser stone counter tops.  All the fixtures used throughout the apartments are of stainless steel and high quality, giving a "quality" feel to opening every door or cabinet.  

Directly Above: Front of Pure from the street

The bathrooms have minimal chrome touches, and "acid-wash" style wall tiles, topped off with floating style mirrors. Some of the condos at Pure have open bedrooms only separated by lower 4-5' pony walls allowing for more light and unique floor plans.  When you get to the higher floors there are some great views of Downtown, False Creek, and South Western Ocean.  Most suties are complimented with a larger than average sized balcony ideal for a BBQ and patio chairs.  The attention to detail, design, and aesthetics put Pure amongst the top of the list for Modern "Clean-Lines" Condos.    Constructed in 2009 by Bogner Developments Ltd.  

THE QUBE - "Timless Form, Changing Function"

Qube 1333 W Georgia St - Features open concept modern condos.  The Qube was originally constructed in 1969 as a "structuralism" masterpiece.  It has a core tower which suspends the remainder of the building from the top of the tower.  This suspended design has only been used twice in North America.  Most of the Qube's life was used as a commercial building and has also been the building used on film sets in the past.  The residential conversion was completed in 2006.  At that time the developer Anthem Properties enhanced the strength the building by wrapping the core of the tower in a type of Carbon Fibre.  Numerous structural upgrades were made, a new 

glass exterior was fitted, and clean contemporary designed layouts were composed.  Inside the Qube today you will find beautiful spacious studios, New York Style One bedroom lofts, two sizes of typical one bedrooms plans with large living rooms, and the corners of the tower are made into 940 sq.ft. two bedroom plans.  Units facing North have beautiful Coal Harbour/Stanley Park Views.  The building is known as "classically" modern with its heritage and unique architecture.  The Qube was ahead of the time in 1969 and it still is today. 

Each suite at the Qube has been very well thought out, and there are no angles within any of the floor plans, utilizing all spaces, and complimenting the exterior "Qube" look.  The kitchens and bathrooms have been fitted with high-quality stone surfaces, wood cabinetry, and top of the line Kitchen Aid appliances.   The bathrooms are spacious with seperate tubs, walk-in showers, marble surfaces, and floating style mirros. This building is in a great location and offers a type of home that is special and truly unique.

Above Right:  The Qube at Night - Developer promotional photos.    Directly Above: A New York Loft style unit

PROPERTY LINK: http://mlslink.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=1295601104&s=BRC&t=BRC

#503 821 Cambie St - Raffles on Robson - This unit has great value.  The interiors are quite high quality, and much nicer than typical Concord Pacific developments.  The condos at Raffles offer modern European appliances by Bosch, stone counters, and overall nice finishing.  The bathrooms have  a separate walk-in shower and tub.  The patio is approximately 500 sq.ft and faces North, but there isn't a large view.  For the price this is a great unit and the interior space is sufficient.

#603 1252 Hornby St - Pure - The unit does have large balcony and it is connected to the common patio so you could entertain outdoors very easily.  The interiors are quite modern with clean lines, high ceilings, and nice bathrooms and kitchens.  Although the interior space is only 535 sq.ft., the design is very good, so it does feel a bit bigger.  I really recommend the building, as the architecture and design is more unique than most.  This information page on my website has some more info and pictures: http://www.albrighton.ca/1252-hornby-st-pure.html

 
#310 788 Hamilton St - TV Towers - This is a typical Concord Pacific development.  The buildings are good quality, but some of the finishing is not the greatest and very average.  Plus there are quite a few rentals in the building.  This unit has 698 sq.ft. and a 300+ sq.ft. private patio, so it may be worth a look as the price isn't too high.

#503 833 Homer St - Atelier - This is the unit you mentioned on the phone.  It may be worth a look as it is almost brand new and relatively good quality with a large patio.   The interiors are nice, and one step nicer than Raffles, but not as nice as the Le'Hermitage unit below. 

#3305 1189 Melville St - The Melville - I included this suite because it does offer great value.  It doesn't have a large patio, just a typical balcony.  However; the building has a common rooftop patio, pool, hot tub, gym and garden on the 41st floor - which is simply amazing, and the highest common rooftop in Vancouver. The layout, quality, and design of the interiors are nice, and the location is great.  From the 33rd floor you'll also get some pretty nice views.  This building was built by Amacon in 2007. 

#1404 788 Richards St - L'Hermitage -   This unit doesn't have a large patio, but it is very nice.  If you are open to other ideas, this unit offers really good value.  The bathrooms and kitchens are beautiful, with ultra high-end materials, fixtures, and appliances - including Sub Zero and Miele.   The patio still has room for a small table, 2 chairs, and a BBQ.  There is a common patio on the 5th floor too.  Also, this is the only  unit in this mix that has air conditioning and Hotel Concierge included. (Air-conditioning is very hard to find under $1.0M)  Information page: http://www.albrighton.ca/l-hermitage-788-richards-st.html

If youa re considering buying a pre-sale property, A buyers agent can offer a lot of value outside of typical property tours and showings.  Including:

Paul Albrighton can act as your buyers agent.  Feel free to contact me. 

PRESALE condo at The Eldorado

Wall Financials newest development. 2300 Kingsway and The Eldorado. Top floor of 9 story concrete building. 623 sq.ft. Modern finishing, great value. Completing in 2013. "THE ELDORADO", exclusive 80 homes in a CONCRETE MID RISE managed by Wall Group of Companies. Architecturally stunning concrete vertical lines and elegant steel construction create striking street level impact. Culturally diverse Renfrew-Collingwood neighborhood includes Norquay Village shopping and choice Vancouver restaurants. Close to schools, transit and 15 minutes to Downtown.  $305,000.

PH2 4888 Nanaimo St, Vancouver, BC

We've just updated our building page about Terminus.  This building stands out for being amonst the most unique recent loft developements in Vancouver.  The floor plans are very linear, but the interior design and architecture utilizes every square inch.  Standing over 9' high, the special "two level ceilings" with hidden glowing lights allow for extra soft brightness and a sense of light in every room/area of each unit.  Typically lofts can feel long and narrow, the ceiling design and attention to layout and allocation of walls at Terminus erase this feeling.  If you are looking for clean lines and high quality, Terminus could be for you. 

Take notice of the kitchens, they have fully intergrated dishwashers and fridges.  With panelled kitchens in either a white resign, or a bamboo style wood.  Complimented by stainless steel countertops and backsplashes.  Addtionally there are contineus styled shelving units that warm up the cold white and stainless materials.  The wood floors used at Termnius are a walnut engineered hardwood, which has been pulled/stripped to look like bamboo.  The bathrooms have sliding doors to a few different compartments.  One door will take you into the toilet and sink room surrounded by mirrors, one door to the walk in stand up shower, and another door to the long linear tub.  This is un-like any other bathroom seen in a Vancouver development.

Terminus features modern Geothermal technology that heats and cools each loft individually.  With each of the 46 lofts beeing unique, it is the amongst the most sought after loft development in Gastown Vancouver, developed by Salient Developments.  The architecture and attention to detail in this building is truly beautiful.  Read more and see more photos about Terminus Lofts in Gastown Vancouver BC....

"Having Paul Albrighton as my realtor gave me the ease of mind that my sale and purchase would be handled in the utmost professional manner and the best deal would be obtained for me.  His persistence and upbeat personality made everything go smoothly.  I was informed during every step and his knowledge of the real estate market was invaluable.  I would highly recommend Paul to anyone who is in the real estate market." 

- Judy Li

"I decided to purchase our first home, the first person I thought of was Paul.  There are a lot of realtors out there, but I've known Paul for almost 5 years and he is the one person I trust that will help us in our best interests.  And he did just that! He always focused on our needs, and what our goals were.  I always felt that he had put us first.  That type of service is VERY hard to find in these days. Paul truly cares about his clients and will go the extra mile to help people achieve their dreams of owning a home.  I would recommend Paul to anyone who wishes for an easy and fun experience in house hunting. Thanks a lot Paul! I'll call you again when we're looking for our second place."   - Sally Ngo

"Paul’s attention to design, detail, and his effective marketing plan was the key to selling our Vancouver loft." 

- J.  Martin

"Thank you for the advice.  It's good to know that I have someone who is truly looking out for my best interest. You’ve done a great job Paul.  Thanks for keeping me up to date each step of the way."

 - J. Nguyen

"Without a doubt, I cannot accurately express our thanks and genuine delight with the services Paul Albrighton provided...

Paul found us our dream home...an almost impossible feat given our limited budget and requirements. Following a conversation on our must-haves and like-to-haves, Paul quickly compiled a list of potential homes for us...every condo he took us to had potential and definitely suited our needs and likes... then he saved the piece de resistance for our final stop of the day...and it was perfection...a wow from start to finish...

As much as we appreciated Paul's ability to zero in on what we liked and didn't like and only show us condos to suit us, we would learn his true talent lies with the negotiations...My husband and I had a completely different starting offer price in mind...It would be Paul's expertise that saved us over $25K on the deal. He took the burden of the negotiations so we wouldn't have to...and the pressure was there...buyers (us) leaving the country in days for over a month...and sellers not even living in the country--AND he was brilliant. Additionally, any time we needed an expert (mortgage broker, notary), Paul already had a standing relationship with these people...talk about a full-service agent!!

We had first contacted Paul years ago when we first moved to Vancouver...we weren't ready to buy but he helped us get familiar with the city and what buildings might interest us. When we were ready to buy 3 years later, he was our first call.

Regardless of other clients tasking his time, he always made us feel like we were his first priority...even preparing the offer for the home we ultimately bought while he was dreadfully sick with a cold. He is definitely my go-to person for any information on downtown condos for us or for friends.  He is the dream professional... all that you could ask for in a realtor..."

 - Karri McDonald-Hambrook & Steve Hambrook

"Paul's is a hard-working self-starter who invariably understands exactly what a project is all about from the outset, and how to get it done quickly and effectively. Paul's focus is highly respected, as both a person and a professional, by colleagues, partners and clients. Vancouver’s preeminent loft expert”

 - David Hudson

Roar One at 4387 W 10th Ave is a Point Grey Vancouver unique architectural loft building which has won numerous architectural awards across Canada and even Internationally.  We have just updated some information about the architects, designers, and awards associated with this building.  Click here to see our Roar One information page - featuring photos, building background, and up to date listings. 

“We didn’t experience any record-breaking activity in June, but we did see a stable summer market. The number of new listings coming on the market is not as dramatic as we saw over the previous three months and demand remains at a healthy level for this traditionally quieter time of year.” Jake Moldowan, REBGV President.

As always, the demand for unique properties remains strong and certain buildings are still increasing in value.  For example, sales at Shangri-la Vancouver have remained strong and the average price per square foot has gone up slightly every month of 2010.  You can visit www.shangri-la-condos.com for more information and current listings.

Written by Paul Albrighton - Reference from the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver Stats Package July 5 2010.

You can go to http://www.albrighton.ca to begin your dreams of finding the right modern space. This video has images and clips of some of our sold properties and targeted Vancouver buildings to give you an idea of what type of properties we deal with. If you like clean-lines, modern styled residential architecture, European style kitchens, and high quality sleek bathrooms - your dream has just begun. Visit our website and search for lofts in Yaletown, Downtown, Gastown, Crosstown, Mount Pleasant, South Main, Kitsilano, Fairview, South Granville, False Creek, Cambie, and Eastside Vancouver.