This sponsored feature takes an intimate look at real estate projects in Greater Vancouver, bringing you stories about the developers, the neighbourhoods and the homes themselves. For the Salient Group, developer of Trapp + Holbrook in New Westminster, historical revitalization is more than just a passion. For this Gastown based company, preserving local history is a mission, something that is engrained in every single project.

Salient Group president Robert Fung, who we recently featured in our 50 Coffees series, is respected as a developer sensitive to an area’s history and long-time residents. He aims to add interest and diversity while helping strengthen the existing community.

In this post, we learn more about Salient Group’s past projects and reveal more about Trapp + Holbrook.

Many of the Salient Group’s previous projects are in Gastown, a Vancouver success story that has maintained its character while becoming home to many of Vancouver’s creative companies as well as restaurants and bars. Terminus at 36 Water Street is a unique blend of historic façades and all new construction with a very modern aesthetic. A fire destroyed all but the façade of the Terminus hotel in Gastown, but the Salient Group saw an opportunity for a stunning modern building to rise up in its place.

The Alhambra, also on Water Street, is one of Vancouver’s oldest and most valuable heritage buildings. Constructed immediately following Vancouver’s “great fire” in 1886, the Alhambra underwent an extensive renovation that rehabilitated the building’s historic structure, facade and windows. In this commercial building, modern architectural elements have replaced 70s era interventions.

Garage, currently home to Gastown favourite Boneta, incorporates retail, office, and residential space. Merging architectural elements from four decades, the Salient Group has preserved the historical façade of this Water Street building and added a four-storey modernist glass cube to the top.

Now the Salient Group is bringing its passion for exceptional architecture and sustainable urban communities to Trapp+Holbrook, the company’s first project in the flourishing neighbourhood of downtown New Westminster. The project is a reconstruction of the historical Trapp and Holbrook buildings on Columbia Street and consists of a new concrete 20-storey building above an existing heritage “podium” level. The project, which features reconstructed Trapp and Holbrook building façades, is just a few minutes away from both Columbia and New Westminster Skytrain stations.

Just like other Salient projects, the Trapp Block has a rich history. Originally commissioned in 1902 by the wholesale and retail hardware firm of T.J. Trapp & Co. Ltd., the building was formerly home to the original New Westminster Army and Navy Store. Their building was the tallest structure on the south side of Columbia Street during the Edwardian period and was known for its bold and progressive architecture. The Trapp and Holbrook buildings remain as much of a landmark in the fabric of New Westminster’s historic district today as they did 100 years ago.

In addition to panoramic views of the Fraser River from most suites, thoughtful features make Trapp+Holbrook perfect for modern living in New West. The building’s TJ Trapp Terrace features a raised sun deck lounging area, a communal outdoor BBQ and dining area, a lush landscaped outdoor garden and community garden plots. The Holbrook Social & Health Room is a fully equipped fitness facility with club lounge and games room that can be booked for resident functions.

With its proximity to Skytrain, great design, affordable price and downtown’s high growth potential, this 20-storey tower promises to be a great place to call home. To learn more, visit the Trapp+Holbrook presentation centre at 668 Columbia Street, just one to two blocks away from two Skytrain stations, from 12PM to 7PM, Monday to Thursday, and 12PM to 5PM Saturday to Sunday. The Salient Group is also on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.