New homes, coveted community... Imagine living within walking distance to Crescent Beach, local parks, shops, and other amenities, while remaining in a location that is central to Metro Vancouver and the U.S. border. Genex’s Ocean Park offers large, singlefamily homes in one of South Surrey’s most desirable neighbourhoods that bears the same name: Ocean Park. “It is an excellent community to live in,” says sales manager Suzanne Jarrold. ›› p.6
October 22, 2009
A new take on tradition
Georgian design principles stick to centuries-old style TRICIA LESLIE Simplicity. Symmetry. Solidity. These elements sum up the mainstays of Georgian architecture, a style of design that can be seen throughout the world. Eponymous for the first four British
monarchs of the House of Hanover – George I and George II of Great Britain; George III and George IV of the United Kingdom – the architectural style first became current when these monarchs reigned between 1714 to 1830. Lords and ladies of the time wore silks and velvets, wigs and powder, frock-coats and lace, hoops and ribbons. But as fashion became ever more fancy and elaborate, architecture became more symmetrical and simple.
architecture
Georgian
The Georgian style of architecture succeeded the English Baroque of Sir Christopher Wren, Sir John Vanbrugh and Nicholas Hawksmoor. It includes elements of Palladian, Gothic and Chinoiserie (the latter two are sometime referred to as European Rococo) architectural styles, and evolved into different interpretation of the style, in different countries. In Canada – which was then Upper CONTINUED ON P.2
Architect Luciano Zago, senior manager of development for Mosaic Homes, at Mosaic’s Tatton in Coquitlam. The new homes feature Georgian-style architecture. Rob Newell photo
Vancouver leads country Vancouver’s real estate market is hot. In fact, according to numbers released last week by the Canadian Real Estate Association, Vancouver has the hottest housing market in the country, with a quarterly sales increase of 34 per cent. Calgary followed with a 19-per-cent increase, and Toronto with an 11-per-cent escalation. The total number of transactions is up 18 per cent from the third quarter last year, representing the biggest year-over-year increase since early 2002, the CREA reports. Building on two previous quarterly increases, listings show home sales activity standing at 48 per cent above the low reached in the fourth quarter last year. “Momentum for sales activity remained strong throughout the third quarter,” says CREA president Dale Ripplinger. “Low interest rates, rebounding consumer confidence and an improving overall sense of economic security continue to draw homebuyers to the housing market.” The CREA also reports that year-overyear activity increases – 124 per cent in Vancouver and 28 per cent in Toronto – were the driving force behind the increase in actual (not seasonally adjusted) national sales activity in September. The seasonally adjusted dollar volume for home sales also increased 20 per cent on a quarter-over-quarter basis to $42.1 billion in the third quarter of 2009, the highest level on record. New provincial records were set in B.C. and Ontario, which propelled the national figure to a new high. “Monthly sales activity remained on a strong upward trajectory throughout the third quarter in British Columbia, while showing signs that it may be topping out in other provinces,” says CREA chief economist Gregory Klump. “On balance, this suggests that sales activity may be starting to plateau after having climbed rapidly earlier this year.” Price increases over the rest of 2009 are expected to prompt sellers to return to the market, and an increase in new listings will help keep a lid on prices, Klump adds.