“(Club Aqua) was definitely an attraction that helped make up our minds to move here. The kids love the pool,” say homeowners at Salus. ›› p.2 ParkLane’s The Block brightens up Vancouver’s Main Street area ›› p.9
Falcon Homes’ new community in Maple Ridge, Falcon Hill, offers home buyers houses for the right price, in a great location. ›› p.12
June 25, 2009 Amenity buildings, or clubhouses, are becoming more of a necessity than a trendy luxury for homeowners
‘It’s a form of freedom’ KOLBY SOLINSKY
All roads lead to Rome. It’s an adage first used by Geoffrey Chaucer in 1391, meaning specifically that there are many ways of doing something. When it comes to local home developments and their often extensive amenities’ packages, one could say that there are no doubt many ways of doing something right. In Ancient Rome, the city meant prosperity. It meant luxury and wealth. Elaborate architecture surrounded markets and the leaders of the two most important realms of society – the army and politics – and many of the leisurely activities we now bask in were popularized within the city’s
walls. Now, things have changed a little, but the adage still rings true. Wealth and luxury are a little easier to come by, albeit in newfound ways. Many developers have found success and satisfaction by equipping their sites with shared pools, saunas, exercise rooms and balconies. Beyond that, innovation has been limitless. Several clubhouses also feature shared amenities such as billiard rooms, theatre lounges and even floor hockey gyms. At Centro Richmond, developed by Rize Alliance, an amenities package starring the SpaCentro and SkyGarden heightens a living experience that is already buoyed by units (SkyHomes) that have views of
the North Shore Mountains and the Gulf Islands. “The SkyGarden is basically above where underground parking is, and we have a sauna and exercise room and change rooms in sort of one little building up there,” says Pam Haglof, sales manager at Centro Richmond. “There’s a lawn space up there for children and a children’s play area.” “It’s really nicely landscaped, and you have a mountain view up there.” Haglof has CONTINUED ON P.2
Welcome to the club Two opening events feature new clubhouses Saturday TRICIA LESLIE Full-time concierge service. Rooftop decks with built-in fireplaces. Fully functional spas, steam rooms, jacuzzis, pools, fitness centres, billiards rooms, lounges, guest suites and meeting rooms. These are just a few of the many amenities currently being offered to home buyers throughout Metro Vancouver. And the public can see what’s new for themselves at two grand opening events this weekend. As new developments are built, amenity buildings – also called clubhouses – are often a part of the master plan for the community. While amenity buildings are not new, the size and services offered at each have evolved over the CONTINUED ON P.5
Fifth Avenue Real Estate Marketing Ltd. president Mark Belling stands with a model of The Club at Waterstone. When completed, the club will provide more than 15,000 square feet of recreational opportunities for the Surrey development’s residents. Rob Newell photo