Pearl: small-town charm with big-city connections ›› p.6
Living Coquitlam
January 28, 2010
MAGGIE CALLOWAY Coquitlam is one of the fastest-growing areas in Canada. With a population of 125,000, the scenic city is bordered by Port Moody, Port Coquitlam, Burnaby, and New Westminster, with the Fraser River to the south, Pitt River to the east and the coastal Mountains to the north. Coquitlam’s population increased by
TRICIA LESLIE
Columbia, French Canadian settlers arrived in Maillardville in 1909. The southwest has established residential neighbourhoods and a large network of both public and commercial services. Three major industrial and business parks are conveniently located here between the Fraser River and the Lougheed Highway. The town centre is a newer, 720-hectare community. It provides a dynamic focus as the regional town centre for the northeast sector of Greater Vancouver. When planning for the town centre began in the CONTINUED ON P.2
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Coquitlam: an attractive lifestyle more than 21 per cent between 1986 and 1991 and again from 1991 to 1996. A further increase of 10.9 per cent of population occurred between 1996 and 2001. But there is room to grow. “Present and planned services will comfortably handle a population around 200,000,” says Coquitlam Mayor Richard Stewart. Four distinct areas form the whole of Coquitlam. Southwest Coquitlam is where the French Canadian community of Maillardville is located. The oldest and largest Francophone community in British
Annual luncheon has a more positive tone than ’09 Hundreds of industry leaders converged on Vancouver’s Hyatt Regency Hotel Thursday for the Urban Development Institute’s (Pacific Region) annual forecast luncheon. Polygon president and CEO Neil Chrystal emceed the affair, quick with a quip as he handed out raffle awards and forecast prizes. The three presenters – John O’Bryan, vice-chairman of CB Richard Ellis; Brian McAuley, president of Concert Properties; Ward McAllister, president and CEO of Ledingham McAllister – spoke to different facets of the real estate industry, but all had a similar message: Canada’s housing market, and especially, the Metro Vancouver market, weathered a tumultuous storm well during 2009. Office vacancy rates didn’t show much impact at all in the first part of 2009, O’Bryan notes, which gave us “a good idea of how strong our market is,” and the Canadian market was active enough to “pick up that billion-dollar shortfall.” But, because activity south of the border does reflect in the Canadian markets, O’Bryan says that U.S. commercial bank recovery is essential for markets to return to normal. The retail market has been amazingly resilient, he says, not like in the States, where “retail is a pariah,” and Canadian multi-residential sales were slow and steady, which O’Bryan says is a result of immigrants moving to Canada. Overall, O’Bryan predicts a regular year in the real estate market, across the board, with the last half perhaps, better than the
Coquitlam Mayor Richard Stewart says there’s plenty of room to grow in this vibrant city, which is thriving and attracting new residents every day. Rob Newell photo
City burgeons with culture, sports, business and nature
UDI speakers forecast a brighter 2010
2 • New Local Home | January 28, 2010
New Local Home | January 28, 2010 • 3
‘You can’t lose on B.C.’
Coquitlam residents enjoy LaFarge Lake in Town Centre Park, no matter what the weather. Rob Newell photo
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first half of 2010. “I’m not euphoric ... what I am is realistic,” he says. “I think it will be a normal year everywhere.” McAuley, who recalled last year’s luncheon, remembers that many in the industry at that time thought “the bottom had fallen out of the market and there would be a long, slow recovery.” But with mortgage interest lending rates at historic lows, allowing money lenders and investors to remain stable in troubled times, the market was much more solid than many expected, McAuley says. The strength of the Canadian banking system was a huge help, and likely means more lending opportunities with fewer restrictions in 2010, says McAuley,and while interest rates are expected to rise, they will probably remain low until the second half of the year, when they may rise by some, but not much. “The industry has certainly stuck to its principles and rode out the storm – without any government bailouts,” McAuley says, noting the indus“I encourage try should keep a eye on the you to think close incoming HST and act and how sustainable, or ‘green’ positively, building, evolves. to get “We remain involved and cautiously optimistic for the year take risks. ahead.” I believe McAllister concurs, noting that you will be real estate sales very much activity was stronrewarded.” gest in B.C., then Ontario, in 2009. “It’s a much-changed market from what we saw a few months ago,” McAllister says. “Vancouver is the only place on the planet where there has been a shift from a buyer’s to a seller’s market.” Canada Mortgage and Housing corporation is calling for about 13,000 starts this year, McAllister says, but “I myself am calling for 9,000 or less.” Where prices are concerned, McAllister diverges from the CMHC forecast and other predictions as well. With CMHC and the B.C. Real Estate Association calling for real estate prices to increase four to eight per cent this year, McAllister is forecasting a 10 to 15 per cent increase in prices, and “in some areas, upward of 20 per cent.” Personally, McAllister says is is optimistic about the Metro Vancouver market, and thinks that “Vancouver Island and the Okanagan are not far behind,” so long as B.C. municipalities “play fair.” McAllister had spoken on the phone the night before with popular B.C. entrepreneur and billionaire Jim Pattison (who was recently named the fourth-richest Canadian in Canadian Business magazine), and shared Pattison’s thoughts with the industry crowd: “You can’t lose on B.C. It’s a pretty safe bet.” With the Olympics just days away, McAllister says is the biggest and best marketing campaign ever for B.C. ‘I encourage you to think and act positively, to get involved and take risks,” McAllister said, in summing up the event. “I believe you will be very much rewarded.”
A vibrant city in
an ideal location Off the front: “Infill and laneway houses are a great way to concentrate population growth.” Richard Stewart, mayor CONTINUED FROM P.1
mid-1970s, the area contained only a handful of homes and a small neighbourhood centre. Today, there are more than 9,400 homes and a wide variety of commercial services. The town centre core is also a focal point for civic, cultural and educational services. The City Centre Aquatic Complex, Town Centre Stadium and Park, Evergreen Cultural Centre, public safety building, Coquitlam city hall, the David Lam campus of Douglas College, Pinetree Secondary School and the Pinetree Community Centre can all be found in the town centre area. While the town centre region is a thriving commercial and residential area, it also offers a direct link to nature, with hiking trails along Hoy Creek and Coquitlam River. Watching the salmon return to spawn in these watercourses is enjoyed by many, with an average of 500 people attending the “Salmon Come Home” event at Hoy Creek each fall. Westwood Plateau is north of the town centre, where the Westwood lands – featuring 570 hectares of prime residential development with widespread appeal – are located. Cluster houses, townhomes, single-family houses, two golf courses, creeks and walking trails will eventu-ally attract a population of 15,000 to ateau northwest Coquitlam’s Westwood Plateau. Northeast Coquitlam is highlighted by both Minnekhada Regional Park and the southern portion of the massive Pinecone Burke Provincial Park. Currently, nearly 4,000 people live in a mix of older, well-established and new neighbourhoods, as well as extensive rural properties and farms. For those who value the outdoor family lifestyle, Coquitlam offers more than 80 munici-
Place des Arts interim executive director Joan Roberts admires Escape, a painted terra cotta sculpture by Parvaneh Roudgar. Rob Newell photo
pal parks and natural areas totaling over 2,200 ac acres. The parks and trails include features r ng ra ranging from picnic areas and playg gr grounds to outdoor pools, spray parks, s sports fields and skateboard parks. Coquitlam supports environmental s stewardship and education through s special events, stewardship group su support, the Bear Aware Program, Ad Adopt a Trail Program, Nature and Outdo Pursuit programs and many other Outdoor environmental initiatives. Named the 2009 Cultural Capital of Canada by Canadian Heritage, Coquitlam has benefited from amazing arts and cultural assets within the city for some time. They have included arts and culture into their community planning with great success and continually deliver first-class arts and culture entertainment for everyone to enjoy.
LIVING COQUITLAM
Coquitlam has also provided a supportive home to a wide range of arts organizations and their generous volunteers, as well as performing artists including singers, dancers, artisans, sculptors, painters and historians. A shared vision of the City of Coquitlam, the arts community, private business and senior governments, the Evergreen Cultural Center is more than a venue for the arts and culture – it is a civic facility designed to host a wide variety of community events. It is located in the heart of town centre and offers arts programming to suit everyone’s tastes: live theatre, comedy, musical concerts, visual arts workshops, festivals and more. Place des Arts is a teaching arts center and music school located in Coquitlam’s new Heritage Square in picturesque Maillardville. The centre offers a wide range of programs for adults, children and teen. A variety of arts programming is offered that includes arts, music, dance, drama and visual arts. The centre also provides space where community artists may display their work. Heritage Square also offers visitors a wealth of historic sites, gardens, a bike bath and an outdoor amphitheatre, as well as Mackin Heritage House and Toy Museum. Coquitlam is also supportive of business, and is aiming to be the easiest place in Metro Vancouver to start or expand a business. Located near the geographic centre of Metro Vancouver, with its excellent access to major transportation routes like Highway 1 and Highway 7, international rail corridors and proximity to the Port of Metro Vancouver and both Vancouver and Abbotsford airport, the community is ideally positioned. One major asset is being able to reach Vancouver without having to cross a bridge. Coquitlam is proud of being an innovative leader, offering businesses broadband choice, through operation of Q-Net, the City’s fibre optic network. The building of the Evergreen Line, the upgrade of the Trans Canada Highway and the construction of the new Port Mann Bridge will improve traffic flow to and through Coquitlam and will create new economic development opportunities. CONTINUED ON P.4
Publisher: Fiona Harris • 604-575-5822 • publisher@newlocalhome.com Editor: Tricia Leslie • 604-575-5346 • editor@newlocalhome.com Reporter: Maggie Calloway • maggiec@blackpress.ca Advertising Sales: Black Press National Sales • Adrian Saunders • 604-575-5812 • adrians@blackpress.ca Online Advertising: 604-575-5822 Designer: Brad Smith • bsmith@blackpress.ca New Local Home is published once a week by Black Press Group Ltd. (Suite 309 - 5460 152 Street, Surrey, B.C. V3S 5J9) 350,000 copies are distributed free across Metro Vancouver. Reproduction in whole or part is prohibited.
4 • New Local Home | January 28, 2010
A lifestyle you’ll love
Home Front: Heritance a perfect fit
Get to work without a bridge
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The new Pitt River Bridge and the he Golden Ears Bridge provide excellent access to both the eastern and southern parts of the Fraser Valley. A diverse population consisting of the Kwikwitlem First Nation, francophone Maillardville, a large Korean community and business d cluster, a large Chinese population and business cluster and an increasingly large Farsi population, hailing from Iran, makes for an interesting, educated, labour pool. “Having such a diverse population means our citizens have both personal and business contacts back in their country of origin,” Stewart says. “This is good news for us going forward.” Housing development is healthy in the community and offers affordable choices ranging from high-end apartments and executive homes to smaller homes, duplexes and rental apartments. “New single-family homes will be built on smaller lots than the original one-quarter to one-half acres,” Stewart notes. “Infill and laneway houses are a great way to concentrate population growth where services presently exist.” Whether it’s business or pleasure, indoor activities or out, arts, culture or sports that attract people to Coquitlam, the advantages to finding a home in this vibrant community are plentiful.
LIVING COQUITLAM
A lifeguard watches over swimmers in Coquitlam’s City Centre Aquatic Complex. The dynamic city appeals to a wide range of lifestyles and offers arts, culture, athletics, natural green spaces and parks, a thriving business community and more to its residents. Rob Newell photo
Find out all the latest tech tips in homebuilding at the Greater Vancouver Home Builders’ winter session of What’s New in Homebuilding, a popular workshop for people who are contemplating having a custom home built for them. Presented in partnership with Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, the event features technology experts from the GVHBA, including architect Richard Kadulski. His team will present the latest in leading-edge construction technology, design, indoor air quality and green initiatives. Eneready Products Ltd. owner David Hill will discuss technical issues regarding ventilation, residential systems and their importance to homeowners`health. Workshop topics include: principles of durable building envelope construction; healthy housing tips for superior indoor quality; ventilation systems; energy-efficient and green construction practices; and how energy choices affect costs. The full-day workshop runs Feb. 6 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Best Western Coquitlam Hotel and Conference Centre (319 North Rd., Coquitlam; ), with lunch and coffee breaks provided in the cost ($75 per person or $130 per couple). Registration is limited to 25 participants only, and required by Feb. 1. Call 778-565-4288 to register.
r ent nC ! o i t en ta Op sen P r e N ow
A move up is a good move. At least, that’s how the owner of a new home on the Surrey-Langley border feels, after he and his family moved to Heritance, a single-family Townline project in Cloverdale’s Clayton area. Jim and wife Sarah, “Everything’s with two children in tow, made the move from a brand-new. townhome to the new, There are no detached house at the renos to think end of April (2009). Late last year, Jim took about ... we’re the time to speak to New Local Home about the extremely move. happy with “Having your own the home.” home, with only your walls around you, is great. You have more privacy,” Jim says, standing on his shaded front porch. With the housing market slow-down coinciding with the economy’s downturn, many new home prices in the Metro Vancouver area dropped in the past year, which was one of the attractions for Jim and Sarah. “There was a special offer and we took advantage of it,” Jim says. Plus, he and his wife loved the design of the Heritance home. “The layout is great. There’s granite counter-
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New Local Home | January 28, 2010 • 5
Jim and wife Sarah are happy homeowners at Heritance in Clayton Heights. Tricia Leslie photo
tops, crown moulding, radiant floor heating, the finishes ... everything is high-quality.” He and his family also like having a detached double garage and a lane behind the home. The location of Heritance homes was also a factor, Jim notes. “The park (down the road) was a draw for us, and there’s a mall within walking distance, which is very convenient.” Close to Highway 1, Fraser Highway and the new Golden Ears Bridge, the community is also central to the entire Metro Vancouver area and to the Fraser Valley. The neighbourhood is a real mix of demo-
graphics, with a range of families and a variety of young and old, professionals and labourers, Jim says, adding that overall, it seems to be a peaceful, family oriented community. He and Sarah liked all the extra upgrades offered to them at Heritance, Jim adds, from double drywalled ceilings in the basement for better soundproofing to electrical and soundrelated options. Buying a new home also means more peace of mind for the homeowner. “Everything’s brand-new. There are no renos to think about and there shouldn’t be any surprises,” says Jim. “We’re extremely happy with the home.”
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6 • New Local Home | January 28, 2010
Small-town charisma, big-city feel
Pearl: a jewel in PoCo’s city centre
Pearl: a perfect location
Live in a ‘funky community’
Walking to the West Coast Express station most weekdays, you greet several neighbours who also take transit to work. Most amenities are withing walking distance; everything is within a short drive. Parks and green space abound in the community; a 25-kilometre trail system takes you to three different, scenic riverfronts. Pearl, a Quantum Properties Inc. project set in Port Coquitlam’s vibrant downtown centre, offers new homebuyers small-town charm with big-city connections, says developer Diane Delves, president and CEO of Quantum Properties. “We think it’s an exciting location,” she says. “You see people walking all the time here.” The prices are also much more reasonable than many in neighbouring Coquitlam, she notes. “You are able to buy a home in a popular market for a great price – there are all kinds under $200,000,” Delves says. “It’s good quality and affordability ... our pricing is five to seven per cent lower than others.” Homebuyers are noticing,, too. ap p, Even in a December cold snap, eight people camped out forr a chance at first dibs on a Pearl home, and several of the chic lowrise units have been purchased. With 16 floorplans ranging from compact studio units to three-bedroom, threebathroom, two-storey cityhomes, Pearl gives potential homebuyers a wide range of choice. That goes for the stylish contemporary interiors as well – homeowners can choose from three design schemes (vanilla, chocolate or caramel), with a few trendy upgrades available to ‘tweak’ the look. For example, all homes feature sleek, quartz Silestone countertops, but homeowners can choose a cherry-coloured eating bar, which looks stunning in the Pearl presentation centre. “Your accent colour is supposed to be a friend, not a bully,” quips Quantum vice-president of design Bev Hasenpflug. Splashes of red complement the counter – a throw pillow, a display bowl, the kettle on the stove – while the rest is put together with a casual elegance and modern flair, in shades of deep brown, touches of black, and creamy, pearlwhite hues. Engineered hardwood comes standard in the living area, kitchen and entry, and the open living spaces are enhanced by nine-foot ceilings and plenty of natural
New Local Home | January 28, 2010 • 7
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NOW SELLING Located in Port Coquitlam’s vibrant downtown core, Quantum Properties’ Pearl is in a perfect location for homeowners who wish to take transit (or walk) to work. Plenty of amenities are within walking distance for Pearl homeowners, while parks and green space surround the development. A 25-kilometre trail system is part of the package – the trails lead people to three different rivers. Pearl homes comes with high-quality finishings, such as engineered hardwood floors, Silestone quartz countertops and energyefficient appliances and windows.
light. European-style kitchens feature full-height cabinets in two colour choices (toffee or licorice), the non-porous Silestone counters, under-cabinet puck lighting, and Energy Star stainless steel appliances. Insert electric fireplaces, purposely offset, showcase designer-co-ordinated tile mounts and surrounds; the mantle is wider than most, able to hold DVD players and other electronics, or to provide ample room for art or displays. The fireplace also has a built-in air purifier. “This is such a funky community... I would buy here,” says Hasenpflug, noting that if the hardwood floors get scratched, the scratches can be fixed. The whole floor can even be sanded and re-oiled. The sculpted Berber, low-pile carpet that comes standard in the bedrooms is from a Canadian company, and the development’s many green features (Energy Star windows, water-conserving Kohler fixtures) makes it attractive from the eco-friendly perspective, Hasenpflug adds. And it sounds like the sooner you get out to see the Pearl showsuite, the better. “They’re coming out (to the presentation centre) in droves,” Hasenpflug says. Visit www.pearlcondohomes.com for more information.
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Hardwood floors come standard in all open-design Pearl homes, along with stainless steel appliances and chic, European-style kitchens with modern cabinetry. The non-porous Silestone counters are standard; the cherry colour is an upgrade. Martin Knowles photo
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