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Browsing “Building Blocks Series”

Be one of the first 1,000 people to check out homes starting at $229,900 and get a $25 gift card to Metropolis!

April 22, 2013
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.

Previews are currently on now at at Wall Centre Central Park at Boundary and Vanness, with one bedrooms from $229,900 and two bedrooms from $329,900.

This Saturday, April 27th, they’re holding their Grand Opening Sales Launch and to celebrate they’re offering Early Buyer Incentives and free $25 gift cards to Metropolis at Metrotown to the first 1,000 visitors (one per household). Doors open at 9am on Saturday only.

This video gives you a preview of what’s in store at this latest Wall community…

And some key points:

- Selling this weekend is the first offering of 623 Vancouver homes in 2 towers at Boundary and Vanness
- Wall Group of Companies offers a tradition of quality homes and excellent value, with one bedrooms from $229,900 and two bedrooms from $329,900
- Located close to Joyce Skytrain Station, across the street from Central Park and minutes to Metrotown.
- This new community will be home to a new annex of Collingwood Neighborhood House
- Amenities include a fitness centre and meeting room in each tower, Clubhouse with swimming pool and Jacuzzi, Car co-op, Bike Hub, Green roofs and garden plots, access to bike paths and transit.

Learn more at wallcentrecentralpark.com

  • Written by: Bob Kronbauer |
  • Category: Building Blocks Series


Building Blocks: River Park Place – 4 of 4

April 3, 2013
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.

One of the major draws of the River Park Place development in Richmond is its proximity to the city’s natural beauty. Just minutes away from the riverfront and the green spaces of Minoru Park and the Garden City Lands, it’s a prime location for anyone who wants to stay connected with the great outdoors.

That green tradition is echoed throughout the development itself. While its state-of-the-art environmental systems are energy efficient and maximize the benefits of the natural surroundings, the most noticeable example of this effort to mirror Richmond’s lush and fertile landscape is the development’s Rooftop Palace Courtyard.

While it may be out-of-sight from street level, the third-story rooftop courtyard is one of the jewels of River Park Place. The stunning views of the Fraser River, North Shore mountains and vibrant Richmond cityscape might initially capture your attention, but it’s the numerous other amenities that will undoubtedly keep residents coming back time and time again.

The building already offers an indoor Banquet Room but if you’d rather take advantage of the fresh air and sunshine, then the outdoor grill and dining area is ideal for hosting. After the meal, why not continue your visit and gather around the open-air firepit lounge. It’s the perfect place to entertain kids with tales and stories – or, if you’d prefer to just visit with friends, then the nearby play area can keep the children occupied.

At the heart of the courtyard is the Tai Chi pavilion, offering a peaceful and tranquil setting for those who take part in the ancient tradition. The community greenways that border the pavilion feature garden benches for when you want a moment to sit and relax, and a space to play bocce or badminton if you’re seeking healthy competition.

The landscaped seasonal gardens are maintained year round; for those residents who also have green thumbs, they better roll up their sleeves – the community gardening plots provide that chance to cultivate and connect with the earth.

And if you’re looking to stay connected with the outside world, the Rooftop Palace Courtyard offers a hi-speed WiFi hotspot, as do all the other common areas within River Park Place.



There’s not much time left to win a brand new 2013 Range Rover Evoque in The New Luxury contest. By registering your interest on the River Park Place website before April 6 you will be automatically entered and have a chance at winning the Evoque.
…READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY>>>

  • Written by: V.I.A. |
  • Category: Building Blocks Series


Building Blocks: River Park Place – 3 of 4

March 26, 2013
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.

River Park Place is all about creating the ideal environment, both inside and out. At the heart of this approach is the Whole Home concept: the goal is to provide residents with everything they want from life within the comfort of their home.

By wrapping everything up into a set of centralized lifestyle amenities, this means that you don’t actually have to leave home if you don’t want to – everything you need is at your fingertips. This is great news for any would-be buyers, especially those who are homebodies.

With such a long list of amenities, the best place to start is when you arrive. The streetscape at ground level features retail, dining and various other services, and public art is located near the building entry. The lobby lounge makes a striking first impression with its stone and wood accents and a water feature. The lobby also features a concierge service; regardless if you live here or are just visiting, you’ll always be greeted with a smile and made to feel at home. If you’re just returning from a dog walk or bicycle ride, there’s also a wash station and workshop that includes a bike workbench.

For those who frequently entertain or have relatives visiting from out of town, the Banquet Room is perfect for hosting and offers more than enough space to accommodate a large group for a meal. The adjoining Media Room is the ideal spot for cozying up to watch one of your favourite flicks (popcorn not included).

The Rehearsal Room is the perfect setting to master the latest skill, since it comes equipped with a piano and music stands so you can practice your musicianship, or loosen up and belt it out on the karaoke machine. Thankfully the studio is soundproofed, so no need to worry about disturbing anyone seeking quiet time at the desk spaces in the Study Room.

The Richmond Olympic Oval and riverfront running trails are on the doorstep, but if you’d prefer to exercise without venturing outside then you’re in luck. The Riverview Fitness Centre is a fully equipped training facility featuring Precor equipment. If you’d rather seek inner serenity, the elevated Yoga Mezzanine is also available.

Want to work on your drop shots or your three-pointer? A double-height training court is equipped with badminton and basketball facilities, and even features full-height and kid-sized basketball hoops.

If you want to make full use of the development’s secure parkade, then make sure to register your interest on the River Park Place website before April 6th – you’ll be automatically entered to a win a brand new 2013 Range Rover Evoque as part of The New Luxury Contest.
…READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY>>>

  • Written by: Bob Kronbauer |
  • Category: Building Blocks Series


Building Blocks: River Park Place – 2 of 4

March 19, 2013
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.

Richmond used to have the nickname ‘island city’, and that could maybe lead people to believe it’s separated from the rest of the Lower Mainland. That’s hardly the case though – with the expansion of the Canada Line providing a speedy and regular link to downtown Vancouver in just 20 minutes, and with River Park Place only blocks away from its Lansdowne Station, there’s no reason to feel isolated.

Indeed, as a development that looks to accommodate your every need and anticipate your every desire, its location plays a large role in helping its residents feel connected to the neighbourhood and the city of Richmond. River Park Place will be the heart of the vibrant new Richmond Oval Village, which will feature a T&T Supermarket opening later this year, not to mention numerous other new amenities.

The Oval Village takes its namesake from the Richmond Olympic Oval. After playing host to the world’s best speed skaters during the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games, the Oval is now a world class community centre and an international attraction. Facilities include a climbing wall, countless fitness and wellness programs, and areas for events like birthday parties and field trips.

If you’d rather get some fresh air while you exercise, you’re in luck. The riverfront has recently been invigorated and provides access to 40 kilometres of interconnecting trails and cycling routes that lead to parklands. Nearby Minoru Park features everything from a baseball diamond to a cricket pitch and is a hub for cultural facilities including the Richmond Cultural Centre.

The Canada Line provides a convenient link to many other local destinations. Lansdowne Centre and Kwantlen Polytechnic University are located next to nearby Lansdowne Station. From there, travel one stop south to Richmond Centre and its 240 shops and services, or head one stop in the other direction to Aberdeen Centre.

In the summer months, the Richmond Night Market provides a different shopping experience altogether. For starters, there are more than 200 booths offering merchandise and 80 vendors selling delicious food and desserts. This year’s market will also feature carnival rides and a children’s amusement zone. With over a million visitors a year, it’s one of the most popular night markets in North America.

For those who find themselves on the road frequently, River Park Place is located just moments away from Vancouver International Airport and a 30-minute drive from the American border. And what better way to get there then in a brand new 2013 Range River Evoque? By registering your interest on the River Park Place website before April 6 you will automatically be entered to win the Evoque as part of The New Luxury contest. There are also chances to win gift certificates to Holt Renfrew, the Apple Store and many other retailers.

April 6 marks the grand opening of the sales centre where you will be able to view two fully furnished display homes showcasing the best of River Park Place. For more information on builder and developer Intracorp Projects Ltd., check out their pages on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.

  • Written by: V.I.A. |
  • Category: Building Blocks Series


Building Blocks: River Park Place – 1 of 4

March 12, 2013
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.

One of the more exciting new developments to hit the Lower Mainland, River Park Place is being seen as a chance to redefine what a Richmond riverfront home can be. With a development as complete and forward-thinking as this, it’s certainly earned itself that chance.

The new development is an excellent representation of one of the most dynamic communities in the Lower Mainland. It’s an injection of energy into an already vibrant new area and its lush third level rooftop pavilion courtyard, community greenways and garden plots continue Richmond’s green tradition.

And in case you need any more incentive to check out River Park Place: anyone who registers for the project at the River Park Place WEBSITE before April 6th will automatically be entered to win a 2013 Range Rover Evoque as part of The New Luxury contest.

Then there’s the building itself. The 15-storey concrete building with glass and steel highlights will offer 219 homes, and the attention to detail throughout leaves seemingly no stone unturned. Its elegant sophistication takes the approach that quality homes result in an even better quality of life. The emphasis has been placed on the ‘Whole Home’ concept, which means just that – River Park Place is bringing suburban living to an urban setting.

You’ll have the choice between a bright interior and a more traditional decor. Living spaces are smartly laid out and feature family-style kitchen with top-of-the-line appliances and incredible finishes. Spacious balconies and patios provide views of the Fraser River and North Shore mountains. …READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY>>>

  • Written by: V.I.A. |
  • Category: Building Blocks Series


Building Blocks: See What You Imagined At PaPa

November 7, 2012
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.

Pacific Palisades have given their renters the things they dreamed about but never expected to find in a rental. In April 2011, PaPa launched the Imagine it at Papa contest. Pacific Palisades’ owner and developer, Austeville Properties, invited Vancouverites to suggest ways to make living at PaPa more fun, more convenient and more interesting — ideas that would help to create a more vibrant rental community. Austeville received over 150 entries before finally narrowing it down to three.

We followed up to see if the ambitious dreams of our city’s renters have been realized. Here’s what PaPa had to report.

Idea 1: Resident guest suites to book for a reasonable rate


Tenants’ guests can eat, sleep and relax in style in our new studio guest suite.

We loved this idea. No more visitors crashing on the floor! At PaPa, when your folks or friends come and stay, they’ll be impressed with their stylish digs. The guest suite features classic white-oak flooring, quartz countertops and European-style appliances—just like all PaPa studio suites. There’s also a luxurious soaker tub and blackout shades for those times when your guests just want to relax and enjoy some peace and quiet. Tenants’ visitors also have access to the state-of-the art fitness centre, yoga area and Zipcar rentals, along with cable TV and free WiFi. We like to think it’s as good as any top-rated hotel in the city, except cheaper! Your mama will totally approve of your renting at PaPa — because she’ll have a gorgeous place to stay.

Idea 2: A workshop for resident cyclists to tune up bikes


Tune-up your bike before work or pump up your tires at one of two new bike stations.

In a city full of bicycle lovers, it was no surprise that bikes featured highly in many of the hundreds of ideas we received. So, in addition to our secure bicycle lockers, we will also be adding two bike stations, one each in our Robson Street and Alberni Street underground parkades. Each bike station will include a repair stand, tire pump and nearby water supply so that PaPa’s resident cyclists can tune up before a long ride, pump up their tires and wash off their greasy hands. PaPa owner and developer, Austeville Properties, is just waiting for the bike stations to arrive from Fixstation in the United States.
…READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY>>>

  • Written by: V.I.A. |
  • Category: Building Blocks Series


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