Category Archives: Real Estate

Gesamt Kunst Werk

Perhaps you had seen the lit letters of GESAMT KUNST WERK when you crossed Granville Bridge and wondered what it was all about. Well, the cityline is going to change after this project.

Gesamt Kunst Werk. In German, that means a total work of art. The sale centre is gone now, but I had the opportunity to check it out on the last day before its closure.

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It’s been a 7 years of design work and continuing process of this sculpture masterpiece. There is also the controversial major installation of a Spinning Chandelier by Rodney Graham under Granville Bridge.

The sales centre wasn’t your typical glamourous, fancy ones. It was raw and authentic like you had just been invited into the design office of where the project is being developed. The walls are covered by different options, renderings, tables with miniature mockups of the process and endless booklets of all the details of the building and community.

There was a gentleman who was quite upset and complained about the photos being taken by 3 cameras in the centre. They were positioned at ceiling height and automatically took photos every few seconds. The staff said they were going to be using them for a time lapse video later on, though that didn’t convince the man who didn’t like the idea his photos were being taken (and perhaps used later on) without his consent.

Put that incident aside, it looks like the area is going to be getting quite a facelift to what it is now.

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I do worry about the increasing living density in downtown. Not just this project, but with so many condos to be still built, I wonder what the city is going to do about the traffic and parking problem. Of course the cost of rent and to own is also very difficult. It will be interesting to see how things develop in this area.

Good Homes by Mosaic – Emerson Showhome

So as mentioned in my previous post when I went to see Bloom, we had stumbled across Mosaic’s Emerson showhome. We went to check it out.
I had been an early fan of Mosaic – simply because of their advertisement, website and the design of the building themselves were modern, slick, simple yet high end. I had been interested in the Dominion, but it was simply in a inconvenient location.

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Well designed signage

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 Nice living room

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Great showhome!

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Iconic Mosaic pattern. Love the sales centre!

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Here are some points to make it a good investment (some are obviously the same as Bloom)

  • a brand-new 50,000 square-foot Safeway nearby!
  • a Shoppers Drug Mart, and a multitude of other amenities in walking distance including Value Village
  • a new Evergreen Line station is approx 300m walk (may raise the property value very high like in Richmond?)
  • downtown Vancouver is only a 30-minute bridge-free commute away
  • Lougheed Mall (Walmart, London Drugs, the Bay etc.) is 8 minute car drive away
  • 2 elementary schools, SFU, BCIT, Douglas College and Coquitlam College
  • leisure activities with parks, golf courses and recreation centres
  • -KEA is 10 minute car drive
  • close to Lougheed Highway

compared to Surrey

  • better safety, lower crime rate
  • no bridge to cross, meaning no toll fee and faster to get to Burnaby, Vancouver, North Van
  • potential for development

compared to Vancouver downtown

  • no beggers/panhandlers
  • friendlier neighbourhood
  • quieter
  • cleaner streets
  • larger units for cheaper
  • more open space

What differentiate Emerson from Bloom is their reputation, and quality. You could see right away from walking into the sales centre that it was more upscale, modern and felt ‘urban’. The showroom was more open, layout was convenient, and the materials used seemed more durable.
The show room was a Plan D – which I and my friend thought was the best layout. It was 631 sf for $279,000. It’s hard to believe but a 505 sf in Yaletown (resale) was on market for that same price in 2006. So, prices are definitely going up even in places like Burquitlam, which is why I am so tempted to get my foot onto a property around here now. I’m hoping that the Evergreen Line will make the property much more valuable after 2015 when the line will be complete.

The staffs were more friendly than Bloom, and willing to help out. We ended up staying much longer than anticipated since they were eager to help us so much. I and my friend had different needs/interest, but they were happy to look into our interests separately. A big thumbs up to Mosaic.

The price wasn’t too bad either. I really liked it, and the fact that most of it was already sold, it made it even more attractive to buy with them.

Their brochure had the same cover as Bloom. White stock with embossed logo. It seems popular these days. As usual, Mosaic’s designs were simple and clear. I am eager to buy…though…I need to work on saving up the money first…:P

Real Estate Investment at Bloom

I’ve been really interested in the real estate market. Prices have dropped by $10,000 from last year, if not more and it’s a buyer’s market right now. Though with things that are happening around the globe, some people are fearing for that big bubble to burst. However, looking doesn’t hurt, so I went to see Bloom’s showhome one Saturday.

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It’s located in Burquitlam, looking into a 2 bedroom + 2.5 bathrooms, 2 storey townhouse with 1032 sf priced at $395,900

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Here are some points to make it a good investment.

  • a brand-new 50,000 square-foot Safeway nearby!
  • a Shoppers Drug Mart, and a multitude of other amenities in walking distance including Value Village
  • a new Evergreen Line station is approx 300m walk (may raise the property value very high like in Richmond?)
  • downtown Vancouver is only a 30-minute bridge-free commute away
  • Lougheed Mall (Walmart, London Drugs, the Bay etc.) is 8 minute car drive away
  • 2 elementary schools, SFU, BCIT, Douglas College and Coquitlam College
  • leisure activities with parks, golf courses and recreation centres
  • IKEA is 10 minute car drive
  • close to Lougheed Highway

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compared to Surrey

  • better safety, lower crime rate
  • no bridge to cross, meaning no toll fee and faster to get to Burnaby, Vancouver, North Van
  • potential for development

compared to Vancouver downtown

  • no beggers/panhandlers
  • friendlier neighbourhood
  • quieter
  • cleaner streets
  • larger units for cheaper
  • more open space

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The townhome seems a bit claustrophobic. It could be because the ceiling were low, or that it had angles, or perhaps the wall colours? It just didn’t seem to be open. The layout didn’t quite fancy me either. I prefer the kitchen being a bit more separated from the rest, though I did like how much counter space and cabinet it had. I really didn’t like the idea of having the washer/dryer in the ensuite bathroom of the master bedroom. What if someone wanted to use it and someone else was sleeping in the master room? Very inconvenient.

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We walked around the neighbourhood as well and just so happened that we came across Mosaic’s Emerson show home. I had initially wanted to go see Mosaic’s Dominion. I had even suggested it to my parents early last year. However, the location was what put me off…so I was excited to see a Mosaic’s project right in the neighbourhood in which I thought was the best investment. Check out my post next time!

The showhome is located at 618 Langside Ave
See more at http://www.liveatbloom.com